In an industry obsessed with sequels and remakes, the return of the original Guild Wars feels different. After years of being in maintenance mode, ArenaNet just dropped Guild Wars Reforged, and the community response has been electric. For a 20-year-old game, the energy feels less like nostalgia and more like a long-awaited reunion with an old friend who just got a very nice new haircut.
Launched on December 3, 2025, ‘Reforged’ isn’t a ground-up remake like the name might imply. Instead, it’s a massive overhaul designed to modernize the classic MMORPG experience without losing the soul that made it a legend. And the best part? It’s completely free for anyone who already owns the game.
What Exactly Is ‘Reforged’?
Think of it as a loving restoration, not a reimagining. The core gameplay, the iconic skills, and the epic story campaigns remain untouched. What has changed is how you experience them. The update focuses on quality-of-life improvements that bring the game into the modern era.
Key Features:
- Graphics Overhaul: The game now supports high-DPI displays with HD skill icons and larger text. New rendering enhancements include ambient occlusion and HD bloom, making the world of Tyria pop without altering its art style.
- Controller & Steam Deck Support: You can now officially play Guild Wars from your couch. The update adds full XInput controller support and is Steam Deck Verified (pending).
- Modern UI/UX: A new quest tracking and direction system has been added, along with an on-screen control guide, making it much easier for new players to find their way.
- Simplified Pricing: New players can get a bundle with all three main campaigns (Prophecies, Factions, Nightfall) for just $19.99. If you owned even one of them, the update unlocks the other two for free.
As one user on Reddit put it, “The gameplay resembles a lighter version of a CRPG, allowing you to play solo with NPC companions… a deckbuilder with 10 distinct classes… and an immense variety of builds.”
Why Now? The Community Response
For years, the original Guild Wars has been kept alive by a small but fiercely dedicated community and a skeleton crew of developers. This update signals that ArenaNet sees real value in its legacy. While ‘Reforged’ doesn’t add new story content, the hope is that a surge of new and returning players will show the company there’s a real financial incentive to invest in the game’s future.
The Reddit threads are filled with veterans praising the move. Many are hopeful that the influx of players will revitalize the GvG and PvP scenes, which were once the pinnacle of competitive MMO gaming.
| Feature | Original Game | Guild Wars Reforged |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Campaigns sold separately | 3-in-1 bundle for $19.99 |
| Controller Support | No | Yes (XInput) |
| Resolution | Limited, poor UI scaling | High-DPI support, HD UI |
| Questing | Basic journal | In-game tracker & guide |
FAQs
1. Is Guild Wars Reforged free?
It’s a free update for anyone who already owns the game. If you have even one campaign, you get all three. For new players, the bundle costs $19.99.
2. Is there any new story content or skills?
No. The Reforged update is purely focused on technical and quality-of-life improvements. The gameplay and content are the same as the original.
3. Do I need to start over?
Not at all! All of your original characters, gear, and progress are waiting for you, exactly as you left them.
4. Does this include the Eye of the North expansion?
The new $20 bundle only includes the three main campaigns: Prophecies, Factions, and Nightfall. The Eye of the North expansion is still sold separately.
5. Will this lead to more updates in the future?
That’s the hope. The community sentiment is that if ‘Reforged’ is financially successful, it will prove to ArenaNet that there’s a paying audience ready for more content, even 20 years later.
Conclusion
Guild Wars Reforged is a brilliant move. It respects the legacy of the original game while making it accessible to a new generation of players on modern hardware. It’s a testament to the game’s unique design—a blend of MMO, CRPG, and deckbuilder—that it still feels fresh two decades later. If you’ve ever been curious about the game that started it all, there has never been a better time to visit Tyria.