For years, Guild Wars has lived quietly in the background—still online, still beloved, but rarely in the spotlight. But that changes now. In one of the most unexpected announcements of 2025, ArenaNet has revealed Guild Wars Reforged, a huge modernization update that revives the original Guild Wars for both veterans and a brand-new generation of players.
This isn’t a remaster, and it’s definitely not a remake. It’s something more meaningful: a polished, modern, lovingly updated version of a classic MMO that shaped the industry nearly two decades ago.
So what’s happening, and why does this update matter so much? Here is everything coming with Guild Wars Reforged.
What Is Guild Wars Reforged?
Guild Wars Reforged is a major update designed to bring the 2005 classic into the modern gaming world. It keeps the core gameplay intact, the same zones, missions, and skill-based combat, but introduces important upgrades, including:
- Modern PC features
- Updated graphics
- A redesigned UI
- High-DPI monitor support
- New lighting and rendering improvements
- Updated HD textures and skill icons
- Full native controller support
Guild Wars has always had a unique art style, and this update enhances the visuals without changing its original look.
A Completely Free Update for Existing Players
If you already own Guild Wars, this modernization update is completely free. New players will pay around $20, which includes the base game along with all three expansions:
- Prophecies
- Factions
- Nightfall
Everything is bundled together on Steam, making this one of the best-value MMO packages available in 2025.
The Development Story: ArenaNet and Two Weeks Studio
Guild Wars Reforged is being co-developed by ArenaNet and a newer studio called Two Weeks. What makes this collaboration special is that Two Weeks was formed in 2024 by former ArenaNet developers. These are the same people who worked on the original Guild Wars nearly 15 years ago.
They have returned specifically to help modernize the game they helped create.
This is extremely rare in the gaming industry and is a big reason the update feels so authentic and heartfelt.
Full Controller Support for the First Time Ever
Guild Wars is receiving full XInput controller support. This means:
- Xbox controllers
- PC handhelds
- Steam Deck
- Other modern gamepads
All work natively with the game.
This represents a significant shift for a title originally designed around mouse-and-keyboard point-and-click gameplay. With controller support, the game becomes more accessible and more convenient to play on a couch, TV, or portable device.
Visual and Audio Enhancements for 2025 Players
Guild Wars Reforged includes several upgrades to make the game feel fresh:
Graphics Upgrades
- Enhanced lighting
- Improved bloom and ambient occlusion
- High-DPI monitor compatibility
- Sharper UI elements
- Clearer textures and skill icons
- Audio Enhancements
- Improved 3D environmental audio
- More immersive spatial sound effects
The world feels clearer, richer, and more atmospheric while staying true to the original design.
Why Revive Guild Wars After 20 Years?
The answer is simple: players want it.
Many modern MMOs fail to capture the depth and magic of older titles. Nostalgia-driven revivals, such as WoW Classic and Old School RuneScape, have demonstrated that players still crave classic MMORPG experiences.
Guild Wars offers:
- A buy-once, no-subscription model
- Strategic, skill-based combat
- Challenging gameplay
- Cooperative missions
- A loyal, long-standing community
- A passionate development team
Guild Wars Reforged ensures this classic remains accessible, relevant, and preserved for future players.
Release Date: December 3rd, 2025
Guild Wars Reforged launches on December 3rd, bringing the iconic MMO back into the spotlight. It’s not a remake or a remaster, it’s a respectful modernization of a legendary game.
Whether you’re a returning veteran or a new player entering Tyria for the first time, Guild Wars Reforged is ready to welcome you.
If you enjoyed this article, make sure to follow for more gaming news, updates, and long-form MMO coverage.
Also Read