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.
Dawntrail Review
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07-13-2024, 08:29 AMleith1337Dawntrail Review
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07-13-2024, 08:34 AMJalei
I can agree with most of what you've said except one part. I think its very refreshing to have the overdone scions be drowned out by a fresh face. Personally thought it was nice to take a backseat for once and enjoy a new character. So Wuk getting all the spotlight over the scions sits well with me. To be quite honest I would prefer if the scions moved on and we got all new npc's but I get that wouldn't be for everyone.
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07-13-2024, 09:16 AMIsala
I'm not sure how you can rate the fight design so high, when the fights are just straight up copy pasted from previous expansions. They literally use that laser wall + debris mechanic from that one Shadowbringers dungeon again. I'm still bored as hell with 99% of the encounters, and only the trials manage to mix it up hard enough to care about.
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07-13-2024, 12:23 PMChyroJust curious, which shadowbringer dungeon had that same mechanic? I don't rememberQuote:
Originally Posted by Isala
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07-13-2024, 12:28 PMKes13a
I agree with most of your thoughts. though fight design might be a bit high, and only because its been less than 2 weeks since launch so while under geared and new, they are okay. in two months? probably wont age well
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07-13-2024, 12:39 PMPriddy
I almost completely agree with your review, though I'd give the first half of MSQ something closer to a 6/10, personally. It was lacking in many regards, but I still enjoyed myself. Probably in large part because I'm a Wuk Lamat fan.
They're talking about the part of Tender Valley that is very clearly intentionally similar to The Qitana Ravel. Silly complaint, if you ask me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chyro