Observations From Someone Trying Eureka for the First Time in 2022

[Symphonyx]

So, 2 days ago, I entered Eureka for the very first time. I want to point out some observations I noticed about my time there, and raise some concerns I have.

(1) The punishing leveling system
If you die enough times, you lose levels in Eureka. This is quite unacceptable to me, and is one of the biggest reasons why I may not ever go back. I understand there needs to be some punishment for dying, so yes, let me lose exp, reset the whole level bar back to 0 exp if you must, but there is no good reason why I should ever be able to drop to any level below the highest level I've reached.

(2) Eureka penalizes you for working with others
Eureka is the only content I've done where I don't want help from others. When I was solo grinding levels, I noticed I earned less exp when other people joined me in fighting a mob. I had two friends from my FC join me, but they couldn't be in a party with me because they were at a higher level, and I earned no exp when they fought mobs with me. Everything I've experienced from this system seems to go out of its way to punish you for working with anyone, unless they're the same level as you and you're in a party together. Don't punish people for working together. Make it beneficial to work with others, regardless of what level you're at.

(3) You can't change jobs once you leave the base/home area
I struggle to think of a good reason why this is a thing. When I was solo grinding as WAR, another player got killed by a mob, and I couldn't rez them without having to go back to the base and switching jobs. I felt so bad. This lends itself to my opinion that Eureka, in many ways, is anti co-op. Let us change jobs when we're out in a zone.

Eureka is genuinely not fun to me, and as it currently functions, I have no desire to be there.

I read in an online article that Eureka was designed for vets of classic MMORPGs to feel a sense of nostalgia for "the good old days." It's an homage to "preserv[ing] the essence of first generation MMOs." I'm genuinely curious as to whether the devs have given any thought since Eureka's initial launch, whether this is still a good idea. Does the modern player want to play MMOs as they operated back in the "good old days?" Do these systems make good content for the average MMO player in 2022?

It's sad because I feel like Eureka has the potential to be so good if the devs would fix these issues. I know folks have been complaining about Eureka for years, but I want to believe that if enough of us (respectfully) raise our concerns, the devs will hear us and dedicate time/resources to fixing Eureka. We speak out about this because we care and want it to be good (at least I do). I would even be okay with waiting an additional month or two in-between patches if it meant that the devs would dedicate the time and resources necessary to fixing Eureka.

[Darthgummibear]

You seriously did this just because I made the comment about comic sans, didn't you? That's hilarious, have a like

[Shibi]

(At least OP isn't using pink comic sans)

[Darthgummibear]

(At least OP isn't using pink)

You monster.

[Curisu]

1) Just don't die.
And when you die then ask for a rezz. As long you are not in a empty instance you will find someone is will rezz you.

2) it's about level difference.
Your level 20 friend can't help you to farm level 10 monster. But they can help you spawn NMs and be in your group to kill them.
So, get some people with your level and you will all get the same exp.
Or, in case you are in a instance alone, get a friend and spawn a NM in your level.
Be in party with your high level friend.
Let the friend kill a monster and he has to sync down to the NM Level as soon as his unsynced attack kills it.
NM(Fate trains) are the best level method. Just follow the shouts.

3) that's why they changed it for Bozja.


I personally love Eureka how it is.
I enjoyed playing it during it's release and figuring stuff out.
I like helping friend's to level there and even if it's just a weekly challenge log in Anemos.
It's is not easy done completely alone and that's why many very helpful discord community's exist.

[LaylaTsarra]

Eureka is best done in a party. If you play the zones alone you can and will die and maybe not have someone to give you a raise. It's a lot easier now to avoid enemies given you can ride a moutn right away then having to walk before until later in the leveling in each zone.

[Hasrat]

Everyone always says Eureka is tuned for partying up. I took that as a challenge to learn to survive solo. And I enjoyed it in that context. You get the early levels without the exp loss, that gives you time to explore and experiment and learn. Find what you can and can't comfortably do. Learn the enemies, placements, aggro type, etc.

I suspect the crowd that may have enjoyed Eureka the most is the players that enjoy that learning process. Anyone looking to just turn their brain off for a bit is going to have a bad time if they don't first learn when it's safe to do so.

[Iscah]

Having tried Anemos on an alt recently, compared to my experience when it was current content, levelling solo is faster than it used to be, and enemies seem less robust than I remember them being in the early days. It also seemed not worth it to go chasing after FATEs if I wasn't in the level range to earn prizes besides EXP.

[Wissp]

"(1) The punishing leveling system
If you die enough times, you lose levels in Eureka. This is quite unacceptable to me, and is one of the biggest reasons why I may not ever go back. I understand there needs to be some punishment for dying, so yes, let me lose exp, reset the whole level bar back to 0 exp if you must, but there is no good reason why I should ever be able to drop to any level below the highest level I've reached."

I kinda had to laugh at this one. I guarantee you, the way Eureka is nerfed and made soooo easy now, the death system is in no WAY as bad as it was back when it was new and current. I think the couple of times I actually DID have to release I lost like 2-3 levels? I honestly can't remember, but it WAS annoying.

But here is the thing with Eureka. Situations where you actually HAD to release back in the day were very, VERY rare. You had 5 minutes for someone to raise you without death penalty, and it was VERY easy to shout for help and have someone come raise you. Yes people, people would ACTUALLY come help you if you just asked! Hell, there were people who were in the instance for that very purpose, because you got an achievement for raising people who died in Eureka. In all the months I was there doing it when it was current, I had to release a total of 3 times; one which was totally by mistake on my part.) (Note: dying in BA does not count for this, Hooray for Sprite island! ;p)

As it is old content, there might now be many around anymore to help if you do die. But still, just shout with your coordinates in chat if you need a raise and see if anyone comes help.

And yes, Eureka was so 'old school' and it was WONDERFUL! I LOVED Eureka when it was new, sooooo much fun. The grinding groups where you had to gingerly go through the super dangerous sections to reach them, the NM parties, Rushing to the Big Boss pops, the crazy party and world chats, the 4 am BA dungeon runs with the crazy Aussies who were hilarious. It was a wonderful time and I miss it dearly.

[SassyAssassin]

I love Eureka! Some of the nicest people there!
The xp loss is annoying thats why I never stay there after checking the player list and there’s barely anyone online.
You should be in a party even if you dont get xp, you’ll still level quite fast by doing fates, besides you can always leave the party and once a fate pops up, rejoin a party.
It’s just one of those contents where you have to talk with people a bit!