devtrackers.gg
To whom it may concern,
Even though I don't feel as though I need to qualify the things I'm about to say with some sort of "gameplay resume", I suppose that it is important to do so for the sake of establishing context for it. For the sake of at least a bit of brevity, I'll share it as a simple list:
- Join Date:
- May 2019 (Hidden Blades Hunt Pass)
- Time Played to Date:
- 51d 9h 14m 26s (PC)
- Several hours on PS4/4 Pro and Switch also
- Total Support to Date:
- Approximately $790.00 USD
- Slayer Level 50
- Behemoth Mastery 50
- Favorite Weapons (In Order)
- Sword
- Repeaters
- Strikers
- Pike
- Reforges since 1.5
- 7
- Weapons returned to level 20
- 3 (1x)
I'm writing this to say that I don't feel that I can bother to bring myself to give any feedback on the game. I've watched the past few months as things have unfolded in the lead up to Reforged, as well as the fallout since. Many of the things that I would have said have already been stated numerous times by others, and if I have nothing unique to add to a conversation I don't bother with it. While some things have been addressed, the number of straws on this camel's back has still gotten to the point of being too much to bear.
That is how I describe all the problems that I feel the game has right now; straws. Some of them are the natural byproduct of developing any kind of complex software, others are intentionally placed in an effort to create a desired outcome. I could produce several pages worth of detailed examples of all the places that I've noticed the game--and the company--fall short of the lofty expectations that they have been the focus of, however, I just don't want to.
It became apparent to me that PHXL was going to do what they wanted to do no matter what feedback was given during the "experimental" server access period just before Reforged was released. That was when my apprehension behind providing feedback for the game started. Yes, you [PHXL] may listen to some things that the community has to say, but I understand that there are also things that you have to respond to internally (e.g., "Make more money."). I understand that. People go into business for many reasons. One of the primary ones is usually to make money. Even if it isn't, it's still a priority. Bills have to be paid. People need to eat. I have no problem with supporting games that I enjoy, and that I believe have a lot of potential. I'm also fortunate to be in a position to be able to do so. I understand very well what it's like to be on the other end of that spectrum. Everyone isn't able to contribute as much as they would like to the games that they've grown to love, and some aren't able to contribute anything at all.
Over the past several years, I've watched serveral of the [free-to-play] games I've supported chase a dollar into their own grave, or to the point of chasing me away. Unfortunately, I feel that this game is on the same downward slope as those games were, albeit much slower. I believe that the reason for that is because Dauntless had something special--a satifying gameplay loop and progression system that worked. It wasn't perfect at all. Few things ever are. However, in my opinion, it was much better than what exists now. Does that mean that all of the things introduced with Reforged are bad? Absolutely not. Could the communication and implementation leading up to release have been better? Absolutely. Instead of trying to sell the game and studio as "experimental" (which really doesn't mean anything), just be honest and call the game what it [still] is--an open beta. Perhaps then a bit less ire would be drawn by the massive amount bugs that have persisted for far too long, as well as all the new ones that are introduced with every update.
Not everything is a bug though. Some "frustrations" are entirely intentional. All that I will say about those things are if you want me to pay for something, put it in the store. If you want to essentially waste my time with unnecesarily tedious and/or difficult tasks to acquire something, put it in a "Rumor" or whatever else you would like to come up with. Don't try to do both. That is probably the epitome of scummy attempts at microtransacting I've ever seen. I may be willing to spend money in support of the game's existence, but I don't do it mindlessly.
The last thing I want to address is the Slayer's Path and everything connected to it. All there is to say is that if this is what the game were when it began I most certainly wouldn't still be here now.
I play games to enjoy myself. What that means is of course different for everyone. Some enjoy obscene challenges. Some enjoy social interaction. Some enjoy opportunities to be creative. Some enjoy a little bit of everything to some degree. The great thing about Dauntless was that it had all of that. Now, everything just feels daunting. It's honestly sad.
If I wanted a job, I'd have switched to Monster Hunter ages ago.
Respectfully,
doctorcl.aw
Fashion Slayer
