Exploratory Zones - Do you hope they make a comeback in 7.x?

[Sparky_Mage]

Honestly if they implemented some of the features of the Exploratory Zones into open world content like the solo duels for fancy rewards and Critical Engagements, as well as more Eureka style Notorious Monster fates in 7.0 I would love it and be fine not seeing more Eureka/Bozja-esque content.

But I doubt they would liven up the actual open world that much unfortunately...

[MisterNublet]

it's another aveyond alt!

Who are you?

Personally, though, this is where I start to disagree, you aren't really accomplishing much in the long run for the development, nor the health of the game if you're more concerned with hitting a content quota, e.g., every expansion MUST have a deep dungeon and exploratory zone.

I was initially quite alright receiving other types of content in lieu of another exploratory zone. Given hope that the content would hold my interests and attention just as long as the exploratory zones did. Spoiler: They didn't.

I would like to see critical engagements in Thavnair, for example.

I believe it has something to do with scaling issues in the open world. Just take a look at hunt trains as an example and how quick they're obliterated.

Further, it's worth keeping in mind that it took an exorbitant amount of time to 'refine' exploratory content, arguably nigh on 2 expansions worth. A lot of people forget just how barebones Anemos, Pagos and Pyros were in the grand scheme of things.

This is to say, that I think content such as Criterion Dungeon and Island Sanctuary should be given as much time to refine itself, as to what we effectively gave other areas of content.

That said, and to conclude, I think they should be looking to deviate from their comfort zone, not stick within it.

They've already been designing dungeons for a decade now. Criterion dungeon is literally just a harder dungeon with a rez modifier. The only remotely interesting thing it had was pathing mobs in one room. Literally could have given it weekly random modifiers, rotating weekly bosses... something. They had me fooled with the variant dungeon thinking there was going to be different paths in Criterion. Couldn't have been more disappointed.

Island Sanctuary looks, plays, and feels like someone's pet project that they did on the side during off the clock hours. Not something that was announced as a major feature for an expansion. One major patch later and all they could add was a numbers change (+2 levels) and some glam. They have the system in place with landmarks if they ever wanna rip off Wildstar's housing plugin system with nodes that lets you do games and puzzles. But it was designed to be ignored, so I have no hope that they'll ever add anything remotely redeemable to it.
Quite frankly, the next few major patches better rock this game with its content, because what they're putting out right now with the increased developer time between patches is hilariously awful. They had an excuse with Shadowbringers, they don't with Endwalker. And they're going to have a hard time getting anyone to have any interest in the next expansion if this is what they have to look forward to.

[Deveryn]

Who are you?

Someone who smells the BS a mile away. You're quick to call things a failure because you personally don't like them. It reminds me (and apparently a few others so far) of a certain forum troll.

[CidHeiral]

It depends on how they go about it. I personally enjoyed everyone in Eureka coordinating to prep and take down NMs much more than grinding the same handful of FATEs in Bozja, but I know a lot of people feel the opposite. Perhaps they could combine some aspects of both? Although to be honest I think I'd probably prefer if they skip these special instanced zones entirely and make the regular zones more alive and interesting instead.

[Semirhage]

I've heard some people liked Eureka/Bozja. I'm of the opinion that anything that takes development resources away from "content" that boils down to FATE farming is a good thing. Maybe they can improve upon it in 7.0. If I hear that it's FATE farming plus some extras, I'd rather they not. I had my fill of FATE grinding years ago. Doing a gajillion FATEs isn't fun.

[MisterNublet]

Someone who smells the BS a mile away.

You should pop a breath mint then. Eating up what SE is serving isn't gonna get you that invite to meet Yoshi-P himself like you think it will.

[SillyCrow]

I don't want to do FATEs again. It's just a cheap grind and it's boring. The only fun I get out of that is resurrecting people that somehow die from them.

[zonderbunny]

honestly, i would be happy if no more exploration zones got added. but if they do get added i won't shed any tears, i just won't do them lol. for relics i defs prefer the arr/hw template.

[Atelier-Bagur]

Im sure theyll come back later. Or at least as long as people keep asking for it since I wouldve just said "of course, theyre just taking a break from it this expansion" but I was surprised to learn thay they werent planning anymore deep dungeon content after HnH until the fans kept requesting for more.

[Midareyukki]

I hope they make a return, even if it's not for a relic grind.