Replace Dungeons with Criterion

[arstoka]

It's not an uncommon complaint regarding how formulaic the dungeons in FF14 have gotten. While I understand the frustration that arose within some players going through Tamtara Deepcroft (as an example) it did give a least a little sense of exploration with how one interacts with the dungeon.

Dungeons these days are glorified hallways with predictable pack pulls followed by boss battles.

A better way to do dungeons already exists. It could do with some tweaking however, I still think implementing Criterion style dungeons to be a better avenue for dungeon crawling.

It's simple, really.

Variant/Criterion offers a lot of exploration options alongside decision making. It adds replayability alongside a unique experience for each player. If a final boss absolutely needs to be the same, that is a fair enough concession.

Variant/Criterion has options to both interact with the environment with puzzle solving or to treat it like existing dungeons. It offers people who want to explore and return to the area more reason to do so, it adds more lore to the areas and, potentially, different rewards for completion. It also offers variety in boss mechanics! (Albeit to some degree.)

Variant/Criterion also shakes up the mobs one encounters on each route. It adds visual variety. Since Criterion has three levels of difficulty, it would also allow for players to choose the experience they want.

Want something straight forward and a more 'story focused' mode? Play normal mode.
Want something a little more challenging but not savage tier? Play "fierce" mode.
Want something challenging (with fast-track rewards)? Play savage mode.

The blueprint is already there. You can solo a 'normal' Criterion dungeon or do it with up to 3 other friends.

With Evercold's new party system, two player parties are possible with NPCs.

(For obvious reasons, Fierce and Savage tiers would require non-npc party compositions which can be queued through duty finder or pre-made parties.)

When queuing into the dungeon, you would have all three options available to you from the start. You must manually select which mode you want to go into and will be matched with others accordingly.

If we take the notebook and achievements over as well, there is even more reason to engage with the dungeons by completing the different routes.

Additionally, to further encourage replay, give the player currency for completing the dungeon. The currency, like Criterion currency, can be saved and used to purchase rewards from vendors.

Variant/Criterion MSQ dungeons offer a way to shake up the formula while providing varying levels of difficulty to suit the individual player's needs.

[Ilisidi]

You mean Variant Dungeons, not Criterion Dungeons.

[Wasselin]

After doing Variant dungeons in a group for the mogtomes -- people picked the same path almost every time and did not go for any of the hidden paths. It would just be a waste of developer time in the end to make so many variant paths because few would seek them out.

I think it's fine for those that want that exploration feeling for it to be in it's own special place in the Variant dungeons.

[arstoka]

You mean Variant Dungeons, not Criterion Dungeons.

Thank you for the correction. I've updated the post.

[Jeeqbit]

If Variant dungeons felt less slow due to waiting for the NPC to move/talk, then maybe. Also its trash needs to be better and it would be nice for bosses to be Advanced level.

Don't think they'll do that though due to Duty Support and wanting there to be zero stress.