The state of Thordan normal mode

[Lauront]

It is definitely one of those things where a lack of difficulty actually hurts the narrative punch. It feels like you are bullying an old man.

I think MSQ trials like Shinryu or Tsukuoyomi are sufficient for an MSQ trial. They are not hard in the grand scheme of the game but it's enough to make sure sprouts are awake when they get there in the story. Make it feel like you had to fight to get to the next plot point.

I agree - I think Tsukuyomi aged well. SoS is also pretty good. Those two are around the difficulty I'd consider good for a MSQ trial. My hope with the trust system eventually coming in for more trials, is that they can use that as an opportunity to limit any really dumbed down content to an optional form of the trust trial, and unshackle themselves when it comes to DF versions. Perhaps an idle hope, but as you say, this sort of thing actually hurts the narrative punch.

[TheMightyMollusk]

I agree - I think Tsukuyomi aged well. SoS is also pretty good. Those two are around the difficulty I'd consider good for a MSQ trial.

To be fair, though, those are x.3 trials. Those would be closer to Nidhogg at the Final Steps of Faith, which can still trip up new players (mostly because it's the first appearance of the standard stack marker in required content). Shinryu and Hades haven't aged quite as well, although they're nowhere near the faceroll of Thordan.