You know, I like this game. I really do. But, there is something missing in it for me. And I can't seem to get over it, no matter how hard I try.
Please note and remember the most relevant words: for me.
Now, please, don't treat this thread as a critique towards those that feel the contrary, or as a rant aimed at developers. It's just a subjective preference and I would like to state it here, in hopes that one day, maybe, in/for Pillars Of Eternity 2 (perhaps?), this will be considered.
I don't like static worlds. Most of the times (if not always!) I appreciate and enjoy a game through one of it's most important characters: the game world. The perfect example is BioShock. To get closer to our subject, another example is Morrowind. To get even MORE closer: Baldur's Gate 1.
What's this all about then? It's the static empty world that your character creates after passing through an area. For me, that makes ZERO sense, this is virtually unnatural even in real life, and it flattens the enjoyment of a world. Now, I do know that most of the people hate NPC/enemies respawns and I can agree with that but only up to a point. Having to defeat, after a reload or 24hrs, the same group of level draining mobs that annoy the hell out of you is not my idea of fun, either.
But what about generating a change that will keep the world alive (after clearing mobs/monsters):
- wild life moving in (deers, frogs, turtles, rabbits etc.) <- very simple and can be easily noticeable (or unnoticeable, heh)
- NPCs moving in (sharing quests or, if too complicated, at least offering new dialogue about their story/presence there) <- semi-complex
- enemy respawn after a few days time in 15/35% of previous numbers, maintaining same level (no level scaling) <- my favorite
- world/map changes (previously inhabited camps decaying, disappearing, being replaced by rubble or some remains - as looted or destroyed by time or pillagers) <- haven't seen this yet anywhere (?)
- world/map changes (new locations, camps, small settlements)
- spawns of a different type of mobs/monsters (another NPC faction, opposite, maybe or very different monsters, that conflict with previous wiped ones)
- anything that would bring a breath of life into the world itself.
I am interested to see what do you guys think about this. How important is the world you play in for you? How would you like play/feel in it, or how do you see it evolving past what we have seen so far in games?
Thanks for reading, understanding and keeping the discussion mature and constructive!