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Endless Archive - Very Fun, Great Opportunity for New Ideas

disky
disky
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I've gotten through a few rounds of Endless Archive and I've had a great time discovering all of the new mechanics and rewards. As someone who doesn't often do a lot of group content, I don't get to see many of these bosses and so it's exciting to get to experience them (and defeat them!). I also love that it's been tuned for solo, duo or solo+companion play, as the latter suits me perfectly. Props to ZOS for coming up with such a neat idea.

Now, I must admit that I am an Endless Archive novice, having only made it to the second arc. That being said, after reading about the overall mechanics it seems sort of formulaic - travel through two levels, fight a boss, do that over and over. I'd like to see more variety in the stage design, with interactivity beyond waves of monsters. This is the perfect venue to add things like traps and jumping puzzles, mechanics which go beyond the bog-standard, ceaseless fighting. Adding these elements into a procedurally-generated level design could add some welcome spice to the otherwise rote combat we're all used to by now. And if that's too much for combat-focused players, stick it in the Portals to the Unknown and give more adventurous players the opportunity to take a break from the fighting.

I'd also really love to see something akin to a Slay the Spire map, which would allow you to plan out your progress through the Archive, rather than a simple "two levels of mobs and then a boss" idea. The current format is fine, but I just think it could be more interesting. And I totally understand that EA is very new, I'm sure ZOS already has a long list of ideas. I also don't expect them to deliver me the moon. Just my thoughts. Thank you ZOS!
  • Charmic
    Charmic
    I just want to share that Endless Archive reminds me of Hades by Supergiant Games.
  • disky
    disky
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    Charmic wrote: »
    I just want to share that Endless Archive reminds me of Hades by Supergiant Games.

    I've never played Hades, which is a crime I know, but from what I've seen of it after watching others play it I have to agree. That being said, I think ZOS can do some interesting things which set it apart in the formula by doing more with the 3D, third-person format. In my opinion EA is the perfect place to try out new ideas and if they work out, if people like them, then implement them more frequently into the main game.
  • Braffin
    Braffin
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    I play this game very combat-oriented and I would absolutely love some added jump&run passages and also "thinking" puzzles.

    They should be optional tho, as tests of movement and brainteasers could otherwise block progress for some players. I'd rather see optional, but demanding puzzles, but obligatory and easy ones. Portal to Unknown are a fine solution tho.
    Never get between a cat and it's candy!
    ---
    Overland difficulty scaling is desperately needed. 9 years. 6 paid expansions. 24 DLCs. 40 game changing updates including One Tamriel, an overhaul of the game including a permanent CP160 gear cap and ridiculous power creep thereafter. I'm sick and tired of hearing about Cadwell Silver & Gold as a "you think you do but you don't" - tier deflection to any criticism regarding the lack of overland difficulty in the game. I'm bored of dungeons, I'm bored of trials; make a personal difficulty slider for overland. It's not that hard.
  • Gray_howling_parrot
    Gray_howling_parrot
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    Braffin wrote: »
    I play this game very combat-oriented and I would absolutely love some added jump&run passages and also "thinking" puzzles.

    They should be optional tho, as tests of movement and brainteasers could otherwise block progress for some players. I'd rather see optional, but demanding puzzles, but obligatory and easy ones. Portal to Unknown are a fine solution tho.

    I’d love to see more side portal mini games like there are currently! ESO needs some jumping puzzles for sure! Great suggestion.
    ESO YouTube Content Creator & Templar Tank/Healer Main
  • disky
    disky
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    Braffin wrote: »
    I play this game very combat-oriented and I would absolutely love some added jump&run passages and also "thinking" puzzles.

    They should be optional tho, as tests of movement and brainteasers could otherwise block progress for some players. I'd rather see optional, but demanding puzzles, but obligatory and easy ones. Portal to Unknown are a fine solution tho.

    Yeah, I completely understand that there are people who don't want to do anything but fight, and clearly ZOS did too when they added the Portals to the Unknown. I'm sure they'd put most of the non-combat stuff in there, but I also think the combat maps could really benefit from a little more level design variety since they're basically just a straight line through a few monsters right now. They look good, they're just very simple designs even by ESO's standards.
    Edited by disky on November 17, 2023 5:56AM
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