I’d like to dedicate one thread on what I (and maybe other players) have enjoyed so far in the Living Story. Some constructive criticism may be present.
1. I like the story. I have been diligently keeping up with the website posts, and have read the back stories of Braham, Rox, Kiel/Kasmeer, and recently Canach. I like these short stories because it gives some depth to the characters and it also ties events and updates together.
What I would like to see: These short stories implemented into the game somehow.
2. The rewards. I think the flower backpack is very pretty and I sport it whenever I can. I also think the spider backpack (forgot its name) looks cool, but I don’t wear that one too much as it doesn’t really match my color scheme. I liked doing the achievements to get these rewards because it was neither too hard nor too easy. I also appreciated how you didn’t have to do crab toss to get the PvE rewards either.
What I would like to see improved: The crabtacular achievement was super hard to get, as it mostly relied on other people slipping up and dying, rather than your own skill. I’d like achievements to be based on what I can do.
3. Minis!!! I love minis. I didn’t mind the molten firestorm mini being a drop at the end of the F&F dungeon. Even though I ran that dungeon religiously 3 times a day, every day, until the dungeon was removed, I never got it. That’s ok though, because I’m saving up for it and I’m going to buy it off the TP. The Kasmeer and Lord Faren minis are really funny (I make everyone’s head turn in WvW when Faren is following me). Love it! Also like the new wind rider mini and especially appreciate the fact it drops off of mobs.
What I would like to see improved: The RNG southsun crate boxes are the only way to get Kasmeer and Faren (minus buying them off the TP). I would honestly rather buy them for gems than buy a ton of boxes and pray the RNG gods aren’t in a smiting mood.
4. The updates. I am enjoying all the temporary content every month, and it’s neat how some of it stays in the map permanently (hatchery/Braham’s village, and now tropical resorts in southsun). It feels like the game is alive. Not everything can be permanent. Real life carnivals/fairs/events/parades/mardi gras/etc come and go, and if you miss it, you miss it. However some real life events leave a permanent mark (like helping to build a neighborhood). You might not have helped build any of the houses, but you can still go see the finished product. This is what makes the living story feel like it’s living to me.
Overall I think Anet is doing a good job with these content patches. Doing the same Christmas/Halloween stuff anually gets boring. What do you do in between Christmas and Halloween? Nothing. This living story adds new spice and flavor to the game monthly.