Teetering on the Brink

Saturday. It's cold and wet outside, and another early morning after a broken night of sleep. V is working in Folkestone today, and Gubs has an open day at Kent University, which he’s attending with a few of his friends. I am having a chilled and sleepy day at home, with the resolve to remain steadfastly in my PJs, drinking copious mugs of tea and playing a metric fuckton of Guild Wars 2. I took this screenshot as we adventured through the tortuous trails of Verdant Brink hunting Hero Points; in this image, taking a well-earned break at the controls of our siege turtle.

Verdant Brink, the first major zone in Guild Wars 2’s Heart of Thorns expansion, is the gateway to the Heart of Maguuma region. This zone vividly portrays the aftermath of the Pact’s catastrophic assault on Mordremoth, the jungle dragon. The landscape is dominated by towering vines and the smouldering wreckage of airships, creating a visually striking and perilous environment that sets the tone for the expansion.

The zone introduces players to Itzel hylek, a local tribe of frog-like creatures who have allied with the Pact survivors. The Itzel play a pivotal role in the zone’s events, offering unique rewards in exchange for Airship Parts, which are scattered throughout the area. Their presence underscores the theme of collaboration in the face of adversity, as both the Pact and the Itzel strive to survive in a hostile environment.

Verdant Brink features a dynamic day-night cycle that significantly influences gameplay. During the day, players focus on securing outposts, gathering survivors, and assembling defences. As night falls, the zone transforms into a battleground, with Mordrem forces launching relentless attacks. Players must defend rally points and recover supplies, culminating in challenging encounters with powerful Mordrem lieutenants in the jungle canopy.

The zone is renowned for emphasising vertical exploration and combat, a departure from the more horizontal design of previous Guild Wars 2 maps. Players navigate multiple layers of the jungle, from the forest floor to the towering canopy, utilising new Mastery abilities such as gliding, updraft use, and bouncing mushrooms. These mechanics are essential for fully exploring the zone and gaining access to its hidden areas. Verdant Brink also introduces five adventure challenges, offering unique gameplay experiences and rewards.

The design of Verdant Brink reflects several core themes of the Heart of Thorns expansion. The zone embodies the struggle for survival in a hostile environment, with its dangerous terrain and relentless Mordrem threats. The verticality of the map encourages multi-layered exploration and combat, while the dynamic day-night cycle adds depth and variety to the player experience. Additionally, the zone serves as a showcase for the new Mastery system, with its layout and challenges designed to highlight abilities like gliding and updraft use.

Verdant Brink’s development marked a significant evolution in Guild Wars 2’s approach to zone design. The map’s vertical structure, combined with its dynamic events and emphasis on survival, creates a complex and immersive environment. The inclusion of the Itzel tribe and the remnants of the Pact further enriches the zone’s narrative, illustrating the collaboration between disparate groups in the face of overwhelming odds.