The Living Story system in Guild Wars 2 is a great way to keep high level players engaged by providing them with new story content on a regular basis. Now, that content gets even more value as Guild Wars 2 is adding a system that will allow players to unlock each episode to play again at a later date…or on another character. Each episode will be live for two weeks, and during that time all you have to do is log in and that episode of Season 2 of the Living Story will be added to a new Living World Journal. After that, you can play through episodes again just by accessing your journal.

A blog post about the overhaul stated that:

“With this addition to the story Journal, content from Living World episodes will be a mix of new story steps and open world content. Story steps will work just like existing story steps in the game today by taking you on a journey specific to your selected episode, which ties into a broader narrative from the season’s continual story progress.  Open world content additions to Living World updates will permanently expand or change the world of Tyria and will tie to the theme and story of the episode.”

The system isn’t totally open ended though, as only level 80 characters will be able to choose between playing their Personal Story and the Living Story. Characters below level 80 will be able to see the unlocked Living Story content, but not play it through the journal until reaching level 80. And, of course if you miss an episode’s window, you can unlock them in the store for 200 gems. In addition, Season 1 is not included in the new Journal yet. ArenaNet is working on that and hopes to add it to the system at a future date.

A  few other tweaks are coming in Season 2 as well. Rewards will now come at the end of each episode’s storyline along with a variety of rewards available in the open world content that comes with each episode.  Achievements are going to be much harder than those found in Season 1 and are intended to challenge even skilled players. Of course, with the new system, you can replay each episode until you get the achievement and unlock those tasty achievement points and loot. And if you have more than one character, fear not – once on character on your account has finished an episode in the journal every other character on that account will have access to those achievement challenges.

Season 2 is shaping up to be rather exciting when it kicks off on July 1st. Let us know how many times you plan on playing through each episode in the comments section below!