by Rainier on June 27, 2023 @ 9:00 a.m. PDT
Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure will host a variety of new gameplay features, new explorable areas, two new Strike Missions and other epic adventures set high above the surface ofTyria.
Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure, the fourth expansion for its MMORPGGuild Wars 2, will host a variety of new gameplay features and epic adventures set high above the surface ofTyria, delving into the ancient mysteries around the floating Wizard’s Tower that have intrigued players for over two decades, and further enriching the subscription-free online world of one of the most enduring and beloved PC games of all time.
The all-new story puts players into the shoes of both erstwhile defender and explorer of the unknown as they race to defend the world from a heretofore unseen threat. The adventure will begin with a climb through theSkywatchArchipelago, the first of two new maps being added to the game on release day. Hanging high in the sky aboveTyria, these floating islands are under attack from theKryptis, a demonic race of malevolent beings streaming through instabilities in the Mists and threatening the fragile peace of the world in the wake of the defeat of the elder dragons. What follows is an epic struggle into the Demon Realm, where the fate of the world rests in the hands of the player and their secretive new allies.
“Finally revealing the secrets of the Wizard’s Tower has been an idea floating around the studio (pun intended) for many years,” said Josh Davis,Guild Wars 2Game Director. “WithSecrets of the Obscure, we’re getting a chance to exploreTyria’slore in a way we never have been able to before. New areas of the world, new characters and enemies, and new twists to the core combat gameplay should excite fans with how they are going to add to the game’s already legendary amount of content.”
Future content will launch at no additional charge and continue to add new experiences: an additional map, a new Fractal of Mists encounter, Strike Mission challenge modes, and new rewards will arrive in the following months and into 2024.
A wealth of new features, activities, and storylinesopen upnew possibilities for gameplay:
- New maps:Two new explorable maps will be available on August 22, theSkywatchArchipelago andAmnytas, with a third to follow in a future update.
- New hub area:The enigmatic Wizard’s Tower will serve as the jumping-off point for players to exploreSecrets of the Obscure, and be the central location that ties the player to the main characters and events of theexpansion
- Astral Ward:As theKryptisinvadeTyria, players will be able to join a band of treasure hunters and adventurers known as the Astral Ward to help protect the world, undertaking monster hunts and bounty contracts throughout the game to rank up and earn new rewards and abilities.
- The Heart of the Obscure:this important tool will serve as the player’s master key to explore the new expansion; as they make progress in upgrading this mystical stone, they’ll earn the ability to open special doors and reward chests, create support items likeleylineand updraft generators, and open and seal the rifts for the Astral Ward.
- Advanced Flight Masteries:Acquiring the fanfavoriteSkyscalemount will be easier inSecrets of the Obscure, but for those players who train theirSkyscalein both the new track from this expansion and the previously releasedPath of Firewill earn additional functionality for theirskyscale. Two of theSecrets of the Obscureskyscalemasteries - in-combat mounting and updraft use - will also apply to the griffon mount.
- New Strike Missions:Two new challenging 10-player instanced encounters arrive withSecrets of the Obscure:theCosmic Observatory, and the Temple ofFebe. Their Challenge Modes are planned to become available in later releases.
- Wizard’s Vault:The Wizard's Vault awards Astral Acclaim for completing daily, weekly, and seasonal achievements across the game. Players can trade Astral Acclaim for unique items likearmorpieces, weapon and mount skins, gold, legendary crafting materials, and more.
- Relics:unlocked at level 60, this new equipment slot will now be the home of the wide variety of rune set bonuses previously found on different rune types, allowing for more customization of special effects and more freedom to choose the stat bonuses players want to use on their characters.
- WeaponmasterTraining:each of the game’s nine professions will now gain the ability to equip the weapons previously reserved for their elite specialization, unlocking new gameplay and build options for players.
- New Rewards:A deluge of new earnable rewards await players, including the game’s first set of legendaryarmorearned through open worldPvEactivities.
Guild Wars 2: Secrets Of The Obscureis available for pre-purchase starting today for £21.99, and includes a bundle of pre-purchase bonus items, includingaEagle Eye Weapon Chest, an ArcaneSpellweaver’sHat, a special Demon Hunter character Title, a shared inventory slot, and a level 80 character boost. The Deluxe Edition (£43.99) comes with the standard edition bundle, plus another batch of exclusive items: an Astral Ward Feathered Raptor mount skin, a Magic Juggle emote, an additional character slot, and an Identity Repair Kit. TheSecrets of the ObscureUltimate Edition (£64.99) includes the exclusive Standard and Deluxe Edition items, plus 4,000 Gems,Guild Wars 2’s premium in-game store currency.
Beginning June 29 and running through July 2, allGuild Wars 2players will be invited to take part in a special beta event to explore the newWeaponmasterTraining feature. Once logged in, players will be given a special beta character slot to explore the innumerable character build possibilities this new feature allows.
Also beginning June 29, legacyGuild Wars 2bundles and products will be on sale for up to 50% off on bothguildwars2.comand Steam.
Guild Wars 2: Secrets Of The Obscureis launching on August 22, 2023 at $24.99.
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