ArenaNet is giving the original Guild Wars a major quality-of-life overhaul next month with Guild Wars Reforged, a modernised version of the classic MMORPG that bundles every campaign for a newly reduced price of $19.99.
As someone who played a lot of Guild Wars back in the day — mostly alongside my wife, who turned out to be much better at it than me — this is very interesting news!
A modern update for a beloved classic
Launching December 3 on Steam and Windows PC, Guild Wars Reforged brings together Prophecies, Factions, and Nightfall in one package. Existing players get the update for free, while newcomers can pick it up either on Steam or directly from ArenaNet.
Perhaps the biggest news: full XInput controller support, making the game not only Steam Deck Verified but a far more couch-friendly experience.
Guild Wars first came out in 2005, and had several follow-on packs. Pre-Steam, this meant physical media, and I own all three original titles — Guild Wars Prophecies, Guild Wars Factions, and Guild Wars Nightfall — along with Guild Wars 2. However, as much as we tried to play Guild Wars 2, my better half and I always found it didn’t have the same engaging atmosphere as the original.
Given we use the Steam Deck docked like a console, the controller support and Steam Deck Verified status means we’re going to be revisiting Tyria very soon.
Visual upgrades and UI improvements
ArenaNet and co-development partner 2weeks have added an impressive list of modern-era enhancements, including:
- High-DPI support for modern displays
- New HD skill icons
- Improved antialiasing and updated bloom
- Ambient occlusion
- More text size options
- Enhanced 3D environmental audio
- A new on-screen quest tracker
It’s still the same Guild Wars underneath — no engine rewrite, no reboot — but these improvements tidy up the experience in ways that matter. And I’ve no reason to suspect that Jeremy Soule’s amazing score — the first dedicated video game soundtrack I ever listened to outside the game — isn’t included.
A partnership rooted in Guild Wars history
2weeks, the studio collaborating with ArenaNet, was formed by former ArenaNet developers who originally worked on Guild Wars 20 years ago. The team brings more than 14 years of combined experience from the first game, and you can feel the affection in how they talk about returning to Tyria.
Game director Stephen Clarke-Willson says they want both returning and new players to have a smoother experience, while 2weeks co-founder Brandon Dillon calls revisiting the original game “a real treat”.
Given how many studios let their classic titles fade, it’s refreshing to see one being actively maintained by people who genuinely care about it.
Trailer and more info
ArenaNet has released a new trailer showcasing the Reforged update, along with fresh screenshots in the official press kit.
Guild Wars Reforged launches December 3, 2025, for $19.99 (free for existing players).
For more info, visit the official site.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
