Guild Wars 2 final beta ends with Hunger Games inspired PvP match

Rather than go with a lore-related beta finale, ArenaNet decided to end the last Guild Wars 2 beta weekend event with a Hunger Games snark, the "Hunger Royale."

Players who met up in the asura Metrica Province were prompted to go through a number of special portals, which transported us to a separate map. Players wound up in new outfits -- colored to match one of four teams -- and armed with guns. Oh, and we can't forget the sunglasses. It was like a bizarro WvWvW battle.

What does this portal do, ArenaNet?

Oh God, where are we? What is this place? WHY ARE WE DRESSED LIKE THIS?

The first few minutes turned out to be a practice round, during which we were expected to learn how to aim and figure out the general rules of the game. Energy-based weapons ran on limited ammo, so every skill used depleted our supply. Ammunition drops and recharge stations could be found scattered around the map, though anyone who ran out of ammo could melee other players instead in a devastating knockback attack.

Other tricks included a shield to block enemy fire and cloaking ability. Oh, and the whole time, our health continued to steadily degenerate. Rations could be picked up and consumed for a temporarily health boost, but those didn't actually stop the degen. Not all rations lying around were good, however; players could actually set explosive rations as traps.

After a couple deaths, you were brought back as a robot rather than player character. These miniature floating golems could ping enemies for living teammates, create bubble shields, and drop ammunition -- no rations though. By the end of the event, you had parades of these adorable robots floating after any and all living players, no matter what team they were on.

The full game is, of course, launching August 28. This previous beta weekend unlocked the sylvari and asura for play, and judging by community response, we're going to assume humans and sylvari will be the most popular races come launch.