Guild wars spells- most look dull.

[Elfbowmaster]

Besides the point of how good certain skills are, I think most spells dont look cool enough when u cast em. Take for example earthquake, the ground doesnt shudder.... just knocks ppl down. Or maelstorm u see an ice block fall and thats pretty much it. and ur character doesnt say a thing, most spells require some words to cast the spell. Like word of healing... What is that word anyway? why doesnt he say anything. Looking back at baldurs gate (old game) spells were cast with cool effects and many casting phrases. Not sure why this is not so in guild wars, besides this I love this game dont get me wrong :).

The new skill churning earth however does giva a cool effect, u can see the stones fly around, now thats what I want to see.

[The Boz]

Some people have weak computers. That's why you don't see the earth quaking during an earthquake.
And besides, I believe the have enough flashiness already. Anything more, and it would seriously impede with the playability of the game(imagine fireballs and lightning arcs and stones and demons and purple chaos outbreaks on the screen).

[Lais Irideika]

I don't think we need super flashy and super visible spells onscreen for each spell. I think that would be visual overload, imo. I like how they designed the game in all aspects, and it's not like they didn't make ANY spells be visible. I like that it's subdued for most spells.

As for the shouting of magical phrases or whatnot, I think that would be so annoying. As it is now, the only skills that cause somewhat of a shout from the casting player is any "shout" skill on the warrior side, and there is a good reason for it - other players need to know that the warrior is using those skills because it is usually beneficial to be standing around the warrior at that point, for a certain period of time.

And actually, I think that if all games were designed with the same concepts, it would become quite boring.

The most endearing thing about Guild Wars, when it comes to the design, is the actual scenery and landscapes, which are often breathtakingly beautiful and realistic-looking. I wouldn't want a whole whack of spells cast at the same time by all the players on the field to come and blurr this for us...

[Azgalon]

If the effects were like Bahamut-summons with Comets/Meteors falling from the sky and whatnot from the Final Fantasy-series, people would have to upgrade their computers to be able to play efficiently.

[Auntie I]

Since other games do it that way, Guild Wars should? No, I like it the way it is, we have effects that suit both the game and my computer, which isn't a high end graphics eating monster.

[Elfbowmaster]

You people are so easily satisfied.

[Auntie I]

Possibly.

Still how would big flashy effects make the game better. They would make the screen impossible to look at. And since you have to actually watch what's happening on the screen splashing the screen with colors and such wouldn't be particularly helpful. If I want to watch a light show, I'll go watch a light show.

[caylej]

GvG, 16 characters all letting loose with their flashy skills = insane lag and dead computers. Baldur's Gate is not online, it can afford the graphics. GW has the right idea...some other MMO's need to tone it down.

Edit: Also easily satisfied means you're more often satisfied = increased happiness.

[DarkZeal]

Spells > Warrior attack skills. I think there might only be one unique attacking animation in the whole warrior lineup (cyclone axe).

[craigb]

Brings back bad memories of old EQ raids.....

Look down at the floor or the wall the whole time

Sometimes I think leaving well enough alone is a good thing since it has either the potential to look ugly or cause performance issues.