My compliments to the designers of the new Variant Dungeon

[Avoidy]

PSA, the kuromaru* minion is just black hayate with a bigger scarf. My poor friend got it and used it and we compared the two, thinking surely it was just a similar thumbnail, but nah. Same model and everything. So if you've obtained it and you're debating keeping or selling, you probably already own it and don't even know. Pic below is the new minion (right) and the old black hayate that's been in the game since shadowbringers (left).

First boss being the same NIN raen no matter which path (left middle right) you pick was also kinda disappointing. She has like 1 changed mechanic and that's it. So rerunning through the dungeon just feels like it's all the same until you hit the final boss. As someone who loved the first variant dungeon, maybe it was the novelty factor but I just had more fun in the first one and don't feel an urge to go back and do this new one now that I've seen the first 3 bosses. I will agree on the OP's assessment of the visual appeal though. The zone is very pretty. And the final bosses aren't even bad. All I'd change is maybe make the first boss something different in each path, and put some effort into the minion.

edit: Also just bought the new book emote from the v&c shop and it does not loop, for anyone wondering. It goes for 3ish seconds and just stops. Super disappointing since this could've been so easy and people have been asking for a looping book emote for years.