Before I begin, I just want to say that I think that most of the concepts for Version 2.0 look good. But that's the problem. It only looks good.

When you think about it, 90% of the gameplay is the combat system and the crafting system. The quests and the environments (i.e. the other 10%) merely provide the substrate for that experience. In terms of fractions, most of the game will still be the "same old same old" . . . won't it?

Won't we just be doing the same stuff as always, but with a different backdrop (and the ability to jump up and down)?

I guess my point is, the concepts all look like improvements (cartooniness notwithstanding), but is it really enough? The combat system and crafting systems have a long way to go before they can really be deemed engaging.

I submit to you that the combat systems and crafting systems are not yet enthralling enough to guarantee this game's success, and quite frankly, masking it with some pretty pictures and new zones may not be the best way to go.

The game's foundations are what needs most work, right? And yet the only things that seem to be getting extensive work are the superficial aspects of the game.