I like the down-scaling in this game – it allows the entire game to feel worthwhile / challenging / rewarding regardless of level. You have the entire world to hunt/explore in – and not get limited to a small set of ‘end-game’ zones.
I’m fairly new to the game and just got my first level 80, but I enjoyed the fact while leveling, that if I’m bored in my current zone – I can pop over to a starter zone of an area I hadn’t explored yet, and still get appropriate exp / loot / etc for my level.
Helps keep the world feeling more open instead of like I’m just being funneled along a set corridor of zone progression.
Yeah, there is a bit of the ’I’m level 80, with exotics – why can this lvl 5 still kill me?!’ —- but that’s a very minor power/mental disconnect that I think the benefits far out weigh it.
Also, as a new player – it’s nice to see the lower level zones still being populated/active with all sorts of players – especially when world events start. Unlike other MMO’s that I’ve tried to get into in the last few years (but long after launch) where the starter zones were complete ghost-towns.
There are pro’s and con’s to the system – but I think the pro’s outweigh the con’s enough to be worth it.
nice not to have any money worries while leveling up.