Overland.

First I have to say who ever it was at A-Net who programmed and animated the raptor mount are genius, they are so excellent. Because of the Raptor overland adventuring has become a dream and brought new life to the game.I use to be a map completionism, but since the birth of the raptor mount I have become a adventurer. Just this one addition has turned the game gain up to 10.A big up for the dev's you outdone yourselves. My raptor has become my side-kick in the game I would love to be able to name him/her.

Completely agree, the mounts are so well done and each one opens up new ways to explore :)I feel the same way about the Griffon, That mount alone could be it's own game to me.

I think much of your appreciation goes to this Dev: https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Joel_Helmich

Animations are generally pretty strong in GW2, but he animations on the mounts are particularly excellent and bring a lot of character to them - esp the raptor

Right down to it's makings and rolling eyes. I think it must be the best mount I've ever seen in a game and deserves some sort of award.

There's an interesting video or article on how they made the mounts - prob a Guild Chat. They talk about how making the mounts seem like living creatures was a key part of the design philosophy. They more than achieved that imo

Here's the aforementioned Guild Chat video:

@"Inculpatus cedo.9234" said:Here's the aforementioned Guild Chat video:

So, they went for, or planned it to do exactly what has impressed me so much. It wasn't just a accident. I have seen some of the other mounts Wizz by in the game but never had a chance to check them out properly. They all look excellent, even the bunny.

Each of the mounts has interesting idle animations. From the raptor shaking itself and nearly throwing you off (and your toon going like, "what the heck was that?") to the springer "washing" its whiskers, to the skimmer tapping the player character on the back with its tail. All of them are pretty cool.

Like the raptor when it see something juicy to eat , it strains its neck round on the reins to eyeball it's dinner and it's so convincing. That convincing you physically feel those reins pull to one side as the raptor starts to stray from it's forward path. its not just the best mount I have ever seen, but it is also the best I have ever rode in a game.

It is a good system to get people to go back and re-explore old zones.

Wait til you get other mounts! They're a lot of fun!

You can really tell that mounts were designed to be more than just a speedboost from the start. Not only are the animations great but each one changes how your character moves and is controlled. Sometimes I just run around in circles (especially while waiting for an event) because using a mount is enjoyable and intuitive. Of course the raptor will have a bigger turn radius. Of course the skimmer will slide down certain inclines. Or course the griffon and skyscale will open their wings a bit during a fall.

Sure technically they do fit the speedboost role but there's a lot more there than animating a run cycle and calling it a day.

There's a reason why so many people who are indifferent to (or even dislike) GW2 talk about the mounts fondly.

@Redfeather.6401 said:It is a good system to get people to go back and re-explore old zones.

Spot on. Since winning my mount I have found places I have never bother going before. No longer do you feel bogged down, mounts are the key to your freedom and I likes it.

Oh and there's tagging along with a group and mount zerging. Now that is tops.

@Joote.4081 said:

@Redfeather.6401 said:It is a good system to get people to go back and re-explore old zones.

if u like to "adventures" and speed the u will find roller bettle freaking cool too.

@Joote.4081 said:Like the raptor when it see something juicy to eat , it strains its neck round on the reins to eyeball it's dinner and it's so convincing. That convincing you physically feel those reins pull to one side as the raptor starts to stray from it's forward path.

I never considered this to be the reason for that action. I always thought that the raptor was sight-seeing!

I thought I would explore the path of fire content today. I don't know what is going on but it was pretty well deserted. I think I only seen 2 other players in about 3 hours. Where do they all hang out?

@Joote.4081 said:I thought I would explore the path of fire content today. I don't know what is going on but it was pretty well deserted. I think I only seen 2 other players in about 3 hours. Where do they all hang out?

Nowhere. Path of Fire has less repeatble content so unless a daily is in the area, Path of Fire maps are often quieter than other areas of the game. At best Amnoon will have a fair number of people as there is a bounty board there, a race and a meta event cycles through it

@Randulf.7614 said:

@Joote.4081 said:I thought I would explore the path of fire content today. I don't know what is going on but it was pretty well deserted. I think I only seen 2 other players in about 3 hours. Where do they all hang out?

I did find this mysterious place in the heart of the desert called 'PageNotFound4973'It's a big map or maps. It's going to take a while to cover it all.