Quest-based progression?

[Rowyne]

The story in quests is really bad and the lack of cutscenes only makes them worse.
But I'm happy if I never have to hear voice-acting in this game ever again.

Really? I'd like to have more voice-overs, actually. :/

Better writing and better quest design. Currently I can't tell the difference between leves and quests so them announcing that leves aren't the center of the game anymore really doesn't change the game that much.

That's certainly an issue.

I've been trying to cut the dev team some slack because I know the pressure is on and the clock is ticking to get major overhauls to basic systems completed. But now that side-quests will be a new option to level, they've now taken center stage, as well. Just because they're called side-quests (never been very fond of the name as it implies they're of lesser importance), doesn't mean they should be insignificant. In fact, they're now just as important as any other means of leveling.

It's fine if leve objectives aren't the most engaging. They're meant to be impersonal mercenary work orders picked up at a counter. You don't need to interact with anyone to get the job done. But quests are different, and should feel different. Not only because you're interacting with NPCs, but you're now taking part in a story. I realize they can't all be epic sweeping quest chains (though some of them certainly should), especially since I'm sure they'll be adding quite a few of them to the game now, but they definitely need to be better than leve quality if they're going to be a fun and meaningful means of progression.