Island Sanctuary feels intentionally slow and inefficient.

[IvyTee]

I've hit rank 8 as of this morning, and I've got a few things I want to say about this new piece of content. Aside from the fact that It should be more connected to the actual game and not so isolated as a piece of content, I can't believe how slow the progression is.

I have gathered enough to reach high end material gathering and I feel like time-gating rewards and being capped at 10 exp per gathering node is something that was decided upon without consideration for the player's time. It actually feels like the game doesn't respect my time or enjoyment. If I wanted to bite down on a burger but a restaurant didn't let me finish the other half I would be very upset. This is essentially what is happening.

I just want to enjoy this game, but the game doesn't want to let me by time-gating this much. I know I am not alone as I have seen very many posts and comments on how badly designed this content is. What changes would you like to see done to improve the experience?

Personally, I think it should take nowhere near a full day for the workshop to finish, and I don't appreciate crops taking so long, either. The last thing I would like is a bigger island. It really honestly doesn't feel as big as it was advertised at all. Only 2 underwater zones and such a limited amount of animals to raise.

[Krotoan]

Day 3. Rank 8.

"OMG. ITS TOO SLOW".

[Akibaws]

It's just Animal Crossing without the ability to manipulate the console clock.

[NekoMataMata]

It's just Animal Crossing without the ability to manipulate the console clock.

It really does feel like that, doesn't it?

I'm trying to give it some time, but so far a lot of it feels pointless. I have zero idea what I'm aiming for or what the connections/benefits to the rest of the game will be if any.

I'm not against it being just for fun or anything like that either. I could easily no life this, running around gathering for the sake of it without thinking and trying to make everything pretty. It's just more like if it comes down to that... Well I have a 600 hour ACNH file that I'd much rather play on instead.

[ryouma17]

iam still rank 1, i havent even built any buildings yet, how about taking your time instead of rushing through all the content, you might enjoy it more

[IvyTee]

This is another big issue. The Green Crowies are essentially worthless. They can be used to buy materia but there are FAR more efficient ways to get them. You can trade excess materials for 3 of them but this obviously requires you to do nothing but gather gather gather for hours on end. As someone who has I can tell you the game doesn't care if you're getting only 3 crowies per material because it only ever gives you 1 or 2 depending on what tools and node you're gathering.
Time-gating and intentionally slow progression really bring this entire thing down...

[IvyTee]

It takes you not even an hour to hit rank 3... I'm sorry but can't you at least try to play it first?

[LianaThorne]

Crop growth is slow period. Even some housing crops take a week to grow depending on what it is. Would probably suggest just getting used to that.

As far as the time gating, why are we shocked? Time gating exists in many places in this game and makes sense that they'd apply it to IS as well.

I really wish some would realize that this game is catered to casuals (those who have jobs, real life responsibilities, families, those who can't no life everything). I'm someone who can no life and know better than to complain about things being time gated lol. I just accept the pacing and pick up other activities in game/another game to hold myself over while waiting.

[Aniya_Estlihn]

what the connections/benefits to the rest of the game will be if any.

I know a lot of people don't watch PLLs, but this was something Yoshida covered many times—it's removed from existing systems so it can exist on its own terms without outside influence.
It's meant to be a personal thing for you to pursue that doesn't influence or affect the game outside of it in any way.

[LianaThorne]

This is another big issue. The Green Crowies are essentially worthless. They can be used to buy materia but there are FAR more efficient ways to get them. You can trade excess materials for 3 of them but this obviously requires you to do nothing but gather gather gather for hours on end. As someone who has I can tell you the game doesn't care if you're getting only 3 crowies per material because it only ever gives you 1 or 2 depending on what tools and node you're gathering.
Time-gating and intentionally slow progression really bring this entire thing down...

Ngl I'd rather have this than collectible spamming for scrips to exchange while forgetting half the time to extract my materia from my gear.