thebookpeddler

[thebookpeddler]

Journey Through Tyria | Guild Wars 2 Review

(This was my submission for an exam at a company I was applying at. Putting here to serve as part of my portfolio. Will update with images soon.)

Guild Wars 2 is an immersive and groundbreaking MMORPG that has captivated many players since its release. With its vast open world, dynamic events, diverse classes, and engaging storyline, Guild Wars 2 offers a gaming experience that stands out from the rest of the genre. 

Guild Wars 2 presents a very unique take on the genre with its unique weapon-based combat, expansive character customization, focus on exploration and jumping puzzles, and nonlinear progression. 

Guild Wars 2 offers a diverse range of classes to choose from: from the generic broadsword-wielding warrior to its one of the most unique classes, the mesmer. The game offers vast customization options that deviate from the holy trinity of Tank-DPS-Healer formula seen in any other MMOs today. You can focus on making your paladin a one-man killing machine or turning your necromancer into a support that can absorb your party’s banes and convert them into boons. Basically, any class can play any role. 

Its combat emphasizes by its weapon-based skills. Whichever equipment you arm yourself with can determine what type of playstyle you are heading into. Paladins using maces to heal allies, or go with a one-handed sword for those flashy one-on-one duels.

The nonlinear progression highlights one of the key aspects of the game: its exploration. Never would you ever grind so much for the next tier item. Once you get the highest level 80 exotic-grade armor, you do have the option for getting ascended gear. But the stats are quite negligible so you can totally ignore it. You also have the option to craft legendary gear, which would take you a lot of time. But again, all these are optional once you get the best equipment you can afford.

Guild Wars 2 wants you to go out and explore the world. It does so by its unconventional questing structure in comparison to other MMORPGs. You encounter these dynamic events that occur spontaneously which makes the world more immersive. This innovative approach keeps the gameplay fresh and encourages players to collaborate with others, fostering a strong sense of community.

You also come across various points of interest, vistas, and one of its coolest parts: jumping puzzles. Hidden in one map is at least one jumping puzzle that contains treasures and adds to your achievement score once you get through it. Aside from minigames, it is one of the most engaging parts of the game.

Guild Wars 2 offers a captivating storyline that keeps players invested in the game world. The personal quest combined with the overarching storyline 

Guild Wars 2 follows a "buy to play" business model, which means that players are required to purchase the game upfront in order to access the core content and play it without any additional subscription fees. Unlike any other traditional MMOs, Guild Wars 2 offers a buy-to-play model that offers more bang for your buck. It has free-to-play with limited features. But for what it’s worth, the game’s purchase, along with its expansions, will get you so much content compared to other games with the same price but offer so little content. 

Guild Wars 2 is a masterpiece in the realm of MMORPGs, offering a vast and visually stunning world, dynamic events, diverse classes, and an engaging storyline.

[thebookpeddler]

My Journey Through Games, Books, and Escapism

Reading has been a huge part of me ever since I started last year. It has helped me cope with my anxiety and depression.

I was never an avid reader before, preferring videogames as a form of escapism. I choose my favored game, usually an MMORPG, and just run around the world crafted by its creators, taking in on the sceneries, hunting monsters, crafting items, not caring about its stories most of the time, and just being a part of that world, existing.

I hadn't realize it has become an unhealthy obsession of mine, playing for hours and hours on end, usually forgetting lunch and/or dinner. Choosing to play outside due to our home computer not having the best specs, and then spending around 3-5 hours overnight just playing these games.

When I was a kid I read quite a few books. Remember those Disney read-along books with cassette tapes? God I loved those. Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin were always on repeat almost every single day. I also had that one book about a Tikbalang (a Filipino mythical creature, with the torso of a human and the legs and head of a horse). I was a happy boy back then.

But it didn't last as me and my brothers became obsessed with gaming. From our then local arcade, to Dreamcast rental cafes, to PC cafes playing MMOS like MU Online and Ragnarok Online.

Since then I have been captivated by videogames. It had helped me deal with my everyday life. I always turned to them to escape life's problems.

One day my emotions got out of hand that I stopped playing games for a very long time. I was lost and did not know where to go or what to do. I tried recapturing that sense of wonder but I could not.

I am terrible at reading books. I usually read paragraphs multiple times on account of me unable to absorb information easily. I've had hard times imagining things happening in the books. In my first attempt at taking reading seriously, I did not last. And now my copy of A Game of Thrones is all soggy due to it absorbing rainwater. I did not take good care of such a good book.

Then I saw this one book on a store: Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson.

The thief Kelsier has recruited the best allomancers from the underworld in order to stop the Lord Ruler from his reign of terror.

I witnessed how Vin, with the help of Kelsier, overcame her trauma imposed by her upbringing, how she relied on her team in defeating the Lord Ruler, as well as dealing with the elites of the Final Empire.

One of the things I really love about Mistborn, and Sanderson's books to an extent, is that the prose is so easy to follow. I realized that I have been picking the wrong types of books to start with.

And now I have a collection of books that I have finished and currently reading. From Pet Sematary by Stephen King, to The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. I even sneak in a few self-help books by Robert Greene once in a while.

But my chosen genre has always been fantasy. Much like videogames, I enjoy escaping in a different world through reading. But instead of getting too addicted to the point that It's started to become too unhealthy, books help me keep grounded in my reality. Books also helped me train my focus skill. I don't read paragraphs repeatedly as much as I used to.

Reading stories, in addition to working out, has changed my outlook in life. Since then, I have been less irritable and more forgiving of myself. I still do love videogames. It has, is, and will always be a part of me. But in books, they've helped me be aware and understand the place around me and my place in this world. It has a huge impact in my personal growth while still giving me that escapism that I crave.

[thebookpeddler]

5 Ways to Stay in a Healthy Relationship

We often find ourselves madly inlove with our partners. Who doesn't like kisses, hugs, cuddles, and sweet words?

But oftentimes, we tend to forget what really is important: Building a healthy future with them.

Here are 5 tips to build and stay in a healthy relationship.

1. Be Compassionate

There are times when we are inclined to let our negative feelings out whenever our partners do something that is not in our favor.

We often forget that they need someone to pick them up in their moments of distress.

Not all times our partners are strong enough to handle day-to-day life, including our own weaknesses. We tend to forget that they are humans too: struggling in life, more often than not, on their own.

As their loving partner, we should be there to let them know that we care, and that we think of them and their hardships each and every day. Understand how they feel as much as how they try to understand us.

Offer them needed assistance. They might be having a hard time juggling work. Ask them if they have something you can do to ease their burden. Help them in doing their presentations. Assist them in editing their papers.

When added up, being compassionate goes a long way in alleviating their pain and suffering.

2. Be Empathetic

We don't have to go through our partners' lives to fully understand them. Imagining yourself in their place is enough.

You may not be in agreement with each other at all times, but try to see things from their perspective.

Keep in mind that your experiences in life might be different from your partner’s, but the feelings of struggle are still the same. Try to find something from your past that would help you understand them a little bit better.

If they're struggling to communicate their problems to you, just remember to be kind. Emotional support is just as important, if not, more than physical ones.

3. Earn Your Trust

“I trust you” are words that can be easily said. But remember to prove and earn it.

Let your loved one know what you are up to. A simple photo will be appreciated. Call them whenever you have time. Especially for long-distance relationships and/or work-from-home setups, try using video chat to accompany them while they do their things.

Be honest with them. There is nothing wrong with showing your vulnerability. Be truthful with the things that you do.

Being honest can and will hurt. Try to be considerate in how you approach your honesty with your significant other. Learn to trust them as well. It is in giving your trust that you earn theirs.

4. Let Them be Alone

Whenever we have disagreements with our partners, we often want to fix things so eagerly. Sometimes, it is best to just let them be alone.

Let them clear their thoughts. Let them shed their tears. Let them have their own peaceful moments.

They may want to enjoy life with their friends and family as well. Give them the space that they need.

Let them love themselves fully.

They will highly appreciate you giving them time for themselves, but always assure them that you will always be there in their times of need. Let them know that you are always there by their side.

5. Be Patient. Learn from Their Past.

People can’t help thinking about their past- their heartbreaks, their mistakes in falling for the wrong person. There will be doubts and fears from them.

Knowing their past, they will be cautious, no matter how pure your intentions may be.

But it is with the past that we learn how to be a better person for them.

Be patient and understanding. Let them know that it is ok to have those feelings. Be by their side whenever they have these moments.

Whenever they have these moments, be mindful and approach with calmness.

Use their past to learn. Improve upon yourself. Assure them that you will not make the same mistakes, and prove yourself through actions.

The one, utmost important key to having a healthy relationship is through communication. Talk to your partner about their wants and needs. And don't be afraid to share your side of the story as well. Trust that they will appreciate your honesty. They might even help out ease your pain as how you alleviate theirs.

The road may be bumpy, but have faith that through speaking out, your life with them will all be worth the struggles.

image source: https://www.pexels.com