First, let me say the expansion launch has been by far the smoothest expansion launch I've experienced. I, and my friends were really impressed with that. To review the expansion I'd like to separate the MSQ in two distinct parts. And also the new fight design mentality with Dawntrail, so let's get into it!
Level 91-95 MSQ [4/10]
The start of the MSQ was extremely bad. I love the lore of the game, and I love the story telling, so it really pains me to rate the first half of the MSQ this badly considering EW and SHB were masterpieces of story writing. But I feel like they very much missed the mark of what they were going with. Perhaps it's because they promised a vacation, but instead delivered not a single fun moment. If this was to be a vacation, why no scene where we eat taco's with the rest, why no scene where we play pool with Estinien or get drunk with the scions. Go prank some of the other scions with the twins. Maybe we could've focused more on the rivalry between Koana's group and us, where we go sabotage their progress as they do to us, in a fun way.
Then there's the Wuk Lamat issue. I doubt I have to say much about it, but she had to much story time. Her presence in the story smothered every other character. The twins might as well not have been there for the amount of character they displayed, it was all about Wuk Lamat, all the time. But I think this has been mentioned a lot by now.
Level 95-100 [8/10]
The second part of the MSQ, (After God Emperor Lamat ascends her throne) is good. It's the writing I've come to love, and it has many of the more silent and intimate moments that make the story so good, and what the early part lacked. I did find it a shame that Solution Nine had been shown off in the Live Letters, because it made the reveal very lackluster.
Dawntrail Fight Design [9/10]
It's clear that with Dawntrail the design team has been experimenting more, and it shows! The fights are a lot more engaging, and I found myself enjoying the battles a lot more over previous expansions. I hope they continue in this direction and keep having fun with the fights, instead of choosing safe and boring fight designs.
Continue reading...
Level 91-95 MSQ [4/10]
The start of the MSQ was extremely bad. I love the lore of the game, and I love the story telling, so it really pains me to rate the first half of the MSQ this badly considering EW and SHB were masterpieces of story writing. But I feel like they very much missed the mark of what they were going with. Perhaps it's because they promised a vacation, but instead delivered not a single fun moment. If this was to be a vacation, why no scene where we eat taco's with the rest, why no scene where we play pool with Estinien or get drunk with the scions. Go prank some of the other scions with the twins. Maybe we could've focused more on the rivalry between Koana's group and us, where we go sabotage their progress as they do to us, in a fun way.
Then there's the Wuk Lamat issue. I doubt I have to say much about it, but she had to much story time. Her presence in the story smothered every other character. The twins might as well not have been there for the amount of character they displayed, it was all about Wuk Lamat, all the time. But I think this has been mentioned a lot by now.
Level 95-100 [8/10]
The second part of the MSQ, (After God Emperor Lamat ascends her throne) is good. It's the writing I've come to love, and it has many of the more silent and intimate moments that make the story so good, and what the early part lacked. I did find it a shame that Solution Nine had been shown off in the Live Letters, because it made the reveal very lackluster.
Dawntrail Fight Design [9/10]
It's clear that with Dawntrail the design team has been experimenting more, and it shows! The fights are a lot more engaging, and I found myself enjoying the battles a lot more over previous expansions. I hope they continue in this direction and keep having fun with the fights, instead of choosing safe and boring fight designs.
Continue reading...