This is meant as a thread where you can point out what you think is wrong with this update, so as to give clear feedback to the developers and create a basis for further discussion. Please refrain from just complaining, rather explain exactly what it is which makes you frustrated while keeping a neutral attitude.
Also reflecting on the strong points of this update is welcome too, of course.
To start off, the opening ceremony is great. The character’s dialogues are well in place with a good sense of humor as well as story consistence so far. The players involvment, although is a little too less. in my opinion. Of course it’s very hard to involve the player directly storywise and not just make him a “bystander who just happened to be there” since you can’t really take a player into the voice dialogues. If, however a way would be found to do jsut this – involve a player trough dialogues like for example “hey you good-for-nothing, don’t just stand around and give me a hand here”, the immersion of the players should rise drastically.
Otherwise, I think the introduction of watchwork knights and the arrival of aetherblades is well done.
Now regarding the Crown Pavillon: Making it exhibition-like to have different areas with all the different enemies the human race had and has to face off against and being able to experience it firsthand through fighting watchwork illusions by itself is not a bad idea. However, how it is instanced and the events are set up, it is just one huge zerg farmfest (and thus lagfest for many players). Of course farming is not always bad as it allows you to get good stuff and I myself do it every now and then. It’s nothing especially good, but it’s there and nothings wrong with it being there as you don’t have to farm, but can if you want and through those new reward bags and spawning chests have a chance on good loot.
However – and that leads to the next point – it is affecting the Queen’s Gauntlet. This content is great per se. You have all those different mechanics, it’s starting easy and getting harder at a good pace, you can repeat fights if you want and you have the Gambit system. It is fun to fight in those encounters, as you have to adapt your way of fighting, your skillset and even your traits (which is really thoughtfull that you can retrain in the very area). I think this is just how boss encounters should be.
But it impossible to do with lag through culling caused by the farming zerg. You just can’t dodge when you don’t see it coming, or when the order is just delayed.
Furthermore if you die, you have to port back and walk all the way up again, which ends being really frustrating. Not to mention porting means getting a loadscreen.
This could be evaded if Queen’s Gauntlet were instanced. It isn’t even necessary do instance it for everyone, just splitting it from the farmin Zerg would be enough. Since also the idea of being able to see how others fight is not bad at all.
To come to an end, the emissaries are nice too. Giving you buffs for fighting and furthermore making them different depending on whom you represent is a nice gimmick. Great also it affects the Queen’s Gauntlet encounters. Not so great you have to retake them everytime after dying. But as for the buffs ties to achievements, personally I would’ve preferred if the buffs were to start weak, and then ranking up in connection on how many kills you have. It wouldn’t have hurt to raise the cap then also, concerning the farming nature of this achievements.
Those are entirely my own opinions. Feel free to comment and add your own thoughts.