So, how is Pagos?

[Lunafreya]

Okay, I've been on a 5 week break from the game and just got back very recently. I heard that Eureka Pagos was fixed and that it would be similar to Anemos so I stepped foot in it. I was wrong! While the train is somewhat there, it's still incredibly boring. Nobody wants to help a fresh level 20, nobody even cares about you if you dont have access to aetherytes, nobody does your fates around your level, etc. I thought that with the train somewhat back that people would start helping out again but I'm clearly wrong or had a bad instance. Either way, this content is dull, dry, and just a reskin of Anemos with a new snow coat of paint. I mean, they didnt even try to make this engaging did they? It's boring, it's tedious, and it's dull as all hell. I dont even know if I care about the relic anymore. I did Anemos because I figured out the train and afk exp thing but now there are monsters literally everywhere in Pagos and if I'm one shot, it's likely I am left behind by my party at level 20. I didnt want to play pagos at launch cause I heard it was worse but trust me it doesnt look like this experience is any better.

[Zsolen]

Okay, I've been on a 5 week break from the game and just got back very recently. I heard that Eureka Pagos was fixed and that it would be similar to Anemos so I stepped foot in it. I was wrong! While the train is somewhat there, it's still incredibly boring. Nobody wants to help a fresh level 20, nobody even cares about you if you dont have access to aetherytes, nobody does your fates around your level, etc. I thought that with the train somewhat back that people would start helping out again but I'm clearly wrong or had a bad instance. Either way, this content is dull, dry, and just a reskin of Anemos with a new snow coat of paint. I mean, they didnt even try to make this engaging did they? It's boring, it's tedious, and it's dull as all hell. I dont even know if I care about the relic anymore. I did Anemos because I figured out the train and afk exp thing but now there are monsters literally everywhere in Pagos and if I'm one shot, it's likely I am left behind by my party at level 20. I didnt want to play pagos at launch cause I heard it was worse but trust me it doesnt look like this experience is any better.

If you PF a party, whether you are doing challenge logs, chain, or even train, they are more likely to be loyal and you can easily get exp. If they are around your level, it will increase your chances. Challenge log is serious exp for people at level 20. If you are looking to AFK throughout, some parties will tolerate it, but not everyone would. It will take a very long time to get light, if you AFK with the train.

[Solarra]

I thought that with the train somewhat back that people would start helping out again...

I had the same expectation, however what we failed to take into consideration was when people get their mount. In Anemos you got your mount while you were still levelling, in Pagos you get it at 35 when probably the only fate you care about is Louhi. That change is so significant.

Since the content isn't very engaging, I've been entertaining myself by noticing the differences in people's behaviour in Anemos and Pagos and trying to work out how the design has led to it. Changes like this have had a surprisingly large impact. The problem is, I'm not sure the devs realise just how important a good atmosphere in the game is.
The more co-operative and social atmosphere we developed in Anemos left me feeling positive about our community and the game in general. Pagos really tests your character and not surprisingly, most people are not altruistic when there is a good chance their own game-play may be hurt if they try to help others. I've met some really lovely people in Pagos, but they do stand out as exceptions to the general rule.

If I'd had any say in designing Pagos I'd have given players the mount and Aetheryte access earlier and put a two-seater mount in the lockboxes (because not all players have one). Just think how different the atmosphere would have been. If they'd actively encouraged co-operation instead of going down the path they have, the whole experience would feel much more positive.

I'm grinding through Pagos on my main; I've promised myself I'll finish levelling her but I'm not sure I'll bother finishing the light farm. I certainly don't intend to do this on my alt.