Free-to-Play Steam RPG Has Overwhelmingly Positive Reviews and 21 Million Players

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There are tons of RPGs available on Steam, but Guild Wars 2 is especially popular, with over 21 million registered players. This free-to-play online game has been thriving for almost 14 years, and with consistently positive reviews and a strong player base on Steam, it doesn’t look like it will be losing momentum anytime soon.

Guild Wars 2 launched on August 23, 2012, during the peak popularity of online role-playing games. While it didn’t replace World of Warcraft as some predicted, it still found its own audience thanks to its distinctive fighting style, engaging gameplay, and the fact that players didn’t have to pay a monthly subscription fee.

Guild Wars 2 Is Still Going Strong After Nearly 14 Years

Even after nearly 14 years, Guild Wars 2 remains popular. SteamDB shows the game has over 25,000 reviews, with almost 87% of players giving it a positive rating – earning it a “Very Positive” overall score. Currently, between 7,000 and 10,000 people play each day, making Guild Wars 2 the 127th best-selling game and the 254th most active game on Steam.

Image via SteamDB

While you can now find Guild Wars 2 on Steam, it wasn’t always there. The game originally launched with its own dedicated client and only came to Steam in 2022. It also became available on the Epic Games Store in November 2024. Because of this, ArenaNet is the only source for accurate player counts. While websites like MMO Populations estimate around 50,000 players are active daily, ArenaNet reports over 21 million total users as of a June 2025 update.

Image via ArenaNet

We don’t know if the reported 21 million players represents those currently playing, or the total number of accounts created so far.

Is Guild Wars 2 Worth Playing in 2026?

Guild Wars 2 stands out from other games in the genre, and that’s a big reason why it’s still popular. One key feature is its ‘living world’ – the game world actually changes based on what players do. Instead of just getting a list of quests, players encounter events that happen based on their actions. For example, if towns aren’t defended, enemies will take them over, and dynamic events can lead to large-scale battles. There are also ongoing regional activities called Renown Hearts, which players can complete in various ways, and a main storyline called the Personal Story.

ArenaNet’s special server setup for Guild Wars 1 and 2 results in almost no interruptions for updates or maintenance.

Guild Wars 2 has expanded its world with six major updates over the years. Unlike many other online games, it focuses on expanding what you can do rather than simply increasing levels or gear scores. This means older content remains relevant and enjoyable even after new expansions are released, and players still regularly participate in events from expansions that are over a decade old.

One of the most appealing things about Guild Wars 2 is how you pay to play. The core game is free, but you can buy expansions and updates to access new areas, storylines, and special character abilities. There’s also an in-game store where you can purchase cosmetic items and convenient features like extra storage. Unlike games like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14, Guild Wars 2 doesn’t require a monthly subscription fee.

Honestly, you should definitely check out Guild Wars 2. The best part is it’s free to play, so you can jump in and really get a feel for it without spending a dime. I’ve personally lost tons of hours in that world, and you can too! If you’re looking for a beautiful, open-world game that doesn’t feel like it’s constantly trying to take your money, Guild Wars 2 could be exactly what you’ve been waiting for. It really respects your time, which is a huge plus for me.

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2026-01-17 05:05