Hi there,
I was really looking forward to the start of Phase 3, as I saw it as a unique opportunity to test
node evolution in a refreshed environment, especially with all the recent additions and improvements.
However, I feel that the current state is heavily skewed by major imbalances that undermine the experience.
Here are my key observations:
1. Zone Content & Grinding Imbalance
The content across different zones feels severely unbalanced. Grinding outside the Riverlands doesn’t seem to offer competitive rewards for node progression, which makes other areas feel underwhelming or even irrelevant. This lack of incentive to explore or engage with the wider world is a missed opportunity for diversity in gameplay and player distribution.
2. Construction Crates: Missing Bonuses
The construction crates mechanism, as it stands, doesn’t provide any meaningful bonuses during the early stages of node development—despite what was communicated in-game and in previous updates. This disconnect between expectations and reality is frustrating, especially for players investing time and resources into node progression.
3. Node Transition: Level 3 to 4
The transition from Level 3 to Level 4, as observed in Winstead, feels rushed and lacks depth. Logically, advancing to Level 4 should require the completion of all Level 3 buildings as a prerequisite. This would not only make the progression feel more earned, but also ensure that nodes develop organically and strategically, rather than through arbitrary or inconsistent triggers.
I’m sharing this feedback in the hope that it contributes to the ongoing discussion about balance and design philosophy. I’d love to hear your thoughts and have insights on how these aspects could be improved.
After all, the alpha is all about iterating and refining the experience !
