Yes, I agree, there are many differences, but if you have seen the hordes of demo's on the web, and followed the Anet-reveals, there are definite similarities. For me, Skyrim is a foretaste of what GW2 will be. Though I really don't want this statement to be an insult to Skyrim (or GW2 in that case).
If I look at the two games this is what I get:
Skyrim and GW2 both have 3rd person view. When watching the demo's of GW2, I just reminds me a bit of how Skyrim looks when wondering around the world (as I play 3rd person & not FP). Of course, in GW2 you can also roll, side step, dodge, etc, while Skyrim has roll as a sneak perk;
Both have similar medieval fantasy gameplay with spells, skills, different races, professions, etc;
Both use a similar system of learning skills and spells, and with more use, you can upgrade to more powerful options;
Both have similar mining, crafting, cooking, etc, gameplay;
Both allow for sandbox exploration;
Both have similar methods of fast travel. Once you explore and discover a location, then you can fast travel to that place at a later time;
In Skyrim you can morph into a werewolf, in GW2 you can shape shift into certain animals (I think this is dependent on being a Norn).
Both games like using audible NPC dialog, so very little need to have to read what someone is saying;
I realise some of these points can be considered weak, and I know that just because both games happen to have swords in them, certainly does not make them the same. I also realise you could say the same of the numerous points above with WoW, I wouldn't make the same conclusion. WoW does not look anything like Skyrim.
I am just saying that when I compare the GW2 demo's and my gameplay with Skyrim, I feel that GW2 is going to be really awesome as so many concepts are similar in both games. And I love so much of what is in Skyrim. So, as this is the Guild Wars forum, I just thought I would pen my thoughts here. So, if you want an awesome game, play Skyrim, and dream of GW2 to come
