Occult crescent feels safe and mid

[Heavenchild]

If you want to explore the map, then just explore the map. The only thing stopping you is the person you see when you look in the mirror.

There is an infinite supply of FATEs and CEs. You're not missing anything. They'll be there, waiting for you, when you're ready, especially if they're popping as quickly as you make them out to be.

Of course, I’ve done that at some point, but honestly—there’s nothing really interesting to discover. It’s just empty.
I really don’t understand why SE keeps designing environments that are so huge and yet feel so lifeless.

Sure, the chests are nice—but most of them are filled with junk, just like the barter items from other zones (like the Southern Front Lockboxes).
Personally, the whole thing feels way more soulless than Eureka or Bozja ever did.

Another thing: the map only allows 72 players instead of 144.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and when I came back to FFXIV and started the OC field quest, the first thing I noticed in the starting area was just how massive and empty everything felt—again.

Sure, sometimes there are a lot of players around… but never so many that the zone actually looks crowded.
And before it ever could, the player cap is already hit. So I really don’t see the point of making such ridiculously oversized, empty spaces every time. It always bothered me—but after playing the other game, it stood out even more.
In Solution 9 are also a lot of massive empty areas. Almost everywhere we have this problem.

OC just doesn’t feel as exciting as Eureka or Bozja did.
I farmed both a lot. But with OC, I honestly don’t even feel like going back in anymore.
I assume I will do a little bit more but I don't feel joy for it, like in Eureka or Bozia.

[Kaurhz]

Of course, I’ve done that at some point, but honestly—there’s nothing really interesting to discover. It’s just empty.
I really don’t understand why SE keeps designing environments that are so huge and yet feel so lifeless.

Sure, the chests are nice—but most of them are filled with junk, just like the barter items from other zones (like the Southern Front Lockboxes).
Personally, the whole thing feels way more soulless than Eureka or Bozja ever did.

Another thing: the map only allows 72 players instead of 144.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and when I came back to FFXIV and started the OC field quest, the first thing I noticed in the starting area was just how massive and empty everything felt—again.

Sure, sometimes there are a lot of players around… but never so many that the zone actually looks crowded.
And before it ever could, the player cap is already hit. So I really don’t see the point of making such ridiculously oversized, empty spaces every time. It always bothered me—but after playing the other game, it stood out even more.
In Solution 9 are also a lot of massive empty areas. Almost everywhere we have this problem.

OC just doesn’t feel as exciting as Eureka or Bozja did.
I farmed both a lot. But with OC, I honestly don’t even feel like going back in anymore.
I assume I will do a little bit more but I don't feel joy for it, like in Eureka or Bozia.

Reading this actually gives me intense disappointment lol.

I've been doing Eureka all over again recently to help a friend and it's been incredibly enjoyable, and I say this as someone who has every Eureka relic, and multiple on alt characters... If this is accurate I am not sure I'll actually ever step foot in OC... I've been trying to convince myself to do it in spare time, but almost every single time without fail it's... "Yeah, would rather just play another game entirely".

I'm not sure whether that's just because it's been well over 4 years since the last exploratory, or whether it's because they've just elected to put it out nearly a year into this expansions development cycle. Or whether it's just because when watching it on the side, a lot of it just felt like... Wasted space.

[Thurmnmurmn]

Reading this actually gives me intense disappointment lol.

I've been doing Eureka all over again recently to help a friend and it's been incredibly enjoyable, and I say this as someone who has every Eureka relic, and multiple on alt characters... If this is accurate I am not sure I'll actually ever step foot in OC... I've been trying to convince myself to do it in spare time, but almost every single time without fail it's... "Yeah, would rather just play another game entirely".

I'm not sure whether that's just because it's been well over 4 years since the last exploratory, or whether it's because they've just elected to put it out nearly a year into this expansions development cycle. Or whether it's just because when watching it on the side, a lot of it just felt like... Wasted space.

I'd still recommend giving it a go. For me, it 100% still gives the field operation vibes and I've been loving it.
The treasure chests do actually have some really good drops in it. It's just they're rare, as they should be.
The zone feeling dead is a strange one for me because I've seen a ton of people myself. With the fact you can't TP to critical engagements and actually have to walk there. If you're avoiding the fates and CEs, then sure, it might seem empty outside of people treasure hunting and gold coin farming.
A lot of people are just burnt out on the game and have set high expectations on this bit of content.
All to say, still give it a shot. Determine for yourself if it's worth it or not instead of basing it off of others opinion.

[Heavenchild]

Reading this actually gives me intense disappointment lol.

I've been doing Eureka all over again recently to help a friend and it's been incredibly enjoyable, and I say this as someone who has every Eureka relic, and multiple on alt characters... If this is accurate I am not sure I'll actually ever step foot in OC... I've been trying to convince myself to do it in spare time, but almost every single time without fail it's... "Yeah, would rather just play another game entirely".

I'm not sure whether that's just because it's been well over 4 years since the last exploratory, or whether it's because they've just elected to put it out nearly a year into this expansions development cycle. Or whether it's just because when watching it on the side, a lot of it just felt like... Wasted space.

Give it a try. Maybe you like it more then me!

[Heavenchild]

A lot of people are just burnt out on the game and have set high expectations on this bit of content.

Not really. I’m just bored.
The things I loved in Eureka and Bozja are gone. OC gets stale and repetitive really quickly.
And honestly, I know exactly why it doesn’t hook me the same way the others did.

Still, I’d recommend everyone to give it a try at least once.
Others might enjoy it more than I did.

[Kaurhz]

I'd still recommend giving it a go. For me, it 100% still gives the field operation vibes and I've been loving it.
The treasure chests do actually have some really good drops in it. It's just they're rare, as they should be.
The zone feeling dead is a strange one for me because I've seen a ton of people myself. With the fact you can't TP to critical engagements and actually have to walk there. If you're avoiding the fates and CEs, then sure, it might seem empty outside of people treasure hunting and gold coin farming.
A lot of people are just burnt out on the game and have set high expectations on this bit of content.
All to say, still give it a shot. Determine for yourself if it's worth it or not instead of basing it off of others opinion.

Honestly, it's less of it being based on what other people are saying (That's just like a nail-in-the-coffin type deal), it's like 95% expansion schedule shenanigans, e.g., waiting 4 years between the last exploratory / 1 year post-expansion development.. In that time I've just grown completely apathetic towards it, to where I didn't really have expectations anyway.

I probably will try it at some point (and maybe I'll like it, maybe I won't), but it's like, really low down on my list of things that interest me generally speaking.

[Heavenchild]

I am more exited for Thursday!

[Derio]

I really hope they bump the instance player count to max of 144 when the next area comes and listen to player feedback.

[ForteNightshade]

Another thing: the map only allows 72 players instead of 144.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and when I came back to FFXIV and started the OC field quest, the first thing I noticed in the starting area was just how massive and empty everything felt—again.

It's funny you mention this because I've been replaying BG3 and have exact same feeling. Exploration for the sake of doing it with little investment just isn't fun. Meanwhile, in BG3 I can stumble into a whole number of things be it a surprise encounter, story segment (that are fully voiced, regardless of how minor) or find gear out in the middle of seemingly nowhere.

I'd be playing Clair Obscur too because, my god, it looks absolutely incredible. Sadly, I don't think my PC can handle it. I'm so tempted to try anyway though lol

[Kozh]

Not really. I’m just bored.
The things I loved in Eureka and Bozja are gone. OC gets stale and repetitive really quickly.
And honestly, I know exactly why it doesn’t hook me the same way the others did.

Still, I’d recommend everyone to give it a try at least once.
Others might enjoy it more than I did.

Understandable. In term of "feeling/vibe" I also agree that it's a step down compares to eureka and bozja. Especially bozja for me since I love the battlefield zone and story of first tier.

But I suppose right now I'm kinda craving that social aspect of field operation. At least in this regard it is still somewhat fun as people are interacting more (looking for party, asking for raise, etc).