Amazing game all around but HORRIBLE map system

[Tsuga]

It really bothers me that people can't make criticisms of systems in this game without somebody swooping in to defend a flawed design choice, or berate those who have issues with it simply because they did not have, or chose to overlook the same experience.

It's not unreasonable to ask for a more concise map system.

I've been playing since the first day of 1.0, and I also find the map system to be a bit wonky in this game. I did not have much trouble with it personally, but after reading the OP I can see where they are coming from. It is pretty easy to see how a new player who is not familiar with where "Thanalan" is or whether or not "Limsa Lominsa" is in walking distance from Gridania would be confused by the current world map, and the fact that maps are obscured until locations are discovered compounds that confusion.

The maps should function like they do in nearly every other MMO - where regions are shown much like a real life world map, as part of a continent/island with zone boundaries indicated by borders. The way it is now there is no perspective for how these regions connect, only names on a map with lines connecting them, and the camera is so zoomed in on the map that you have to scroll to find connecting regions, which makes being thrown into the world map through the quest log even more disorienting.

The maps aren't unreadable, but they aren't as good as they could be.

[Avekyn]

The maps aren't unreadable, but they aren't as good as they could be.

Took me a few days to get used to the maps, but now I am definitely accustomed to the interface. I definitely agree they could be better.