Mission Design

[BurtHutt]

So, I have checked out some of the new arcs and missions from Page 2. I am happy to see repeatable missions. Good job, Devs! What I am still concerned about is the missions design in the new arcs and just having arcs added (and one new SF).

 

My first issue is that HC tends to have us zone hopping on the new arcs. This is beyond annoying and a waste of time. I can live with it but why?! Live Devs knew most players disliked this and went away from it. Why are we repeating old mistakes?

 

The arcs and missions are not good for teams. I don't solo but when in a team, you really don't see all of the info. This is super annoying.

 

The arcs seem too drawn out and the missions feel repetitive. Story alone does not make them fun to play. 

 

I request adding more content like a Yin TF where it's just the right length and fun to play. 

 

I'd suggest making more missions like DFB and DiB. Make them for other levels and maybe even zones. They're quick and fun. Maybe the later ones could be a bit longer but these are fun and repeatable. 

 

Help us, HC Devs. You're our only hope.

[Ghost]

I’m thinking zone hopping is such a non factor nowadays.  With things like Team Transport, Mission Transport, SG Portals, And Oro, the devs probably figured it was no big deal.

 

Live was much more time consuming when it came to zone hopping.

[Psyonico]

The biggest issue that I see with the zone hopping thing is that KW is a co-op zone and these missions send you to non co-op zones, meaning if you’re taking with a pure hero/villain they have to miss out.

[Rudra]

1 hour ago, BurtHutt said:

I don't solo but when in a team, you really don't see all of the info. This is super annoying.

This isn't anything added by HC. This is every mission/arc in the game. Some missions have the NPC give dialogue so others can see what the NPC is saying, but in the end the only thing I can say is either do the arcs yourself to see what is going or read it on the wiki when they finally show up there.

[lemming]

34 minutes ago, Psyonico said:

The biggest issue that I see with the zone hopping thing is that KW is a co-op zone and these missions send you to non co-op zones, meaning if you’re taking with a pure hero/villain they have to miss out.

The new arcs are alignment specific for the most part.

[Psyonico]

25 minutes ago, lemming said:

The new arcs are alignment specific for the most part.

Right, but if I’m a villain and teaming with a Vigilante that is doing Alexander’s arc, I assume the arc can progress even though I’m a villain, but I won’t be able to get to 2 of the missions.

[BurtHutt]

3 hours ago, Rudra said:

This isn't anything added by HC. This is every mission/arc in the game. Some missions have the NPC give dialogue so others can see what the NPC is saying, but in the end the only thing I can say is either do the arcs yourself to see what is going or read it on the wiki when they finally show up there.

You are correct. It isn't by HC but they continue to use this mission design. Make it concise and use brief caption boxes so the entire TEAM has an idea of what's going on. I'm here to play a game, not go search a Wiki to understand what the mission is all about...no thanks.

 

I don't have any actual info on this but I believe the Live Devs actually made some changes to mission design in response to the players. Most of the newer content is far more enjoyable. The Yin TF, Tin Mage and Apex...most of the iTrials are also enjoyable. But HC Devs have taken a BIG step back when designing content. I hope they can finally buck this trend and modernize their efforts.

 

Again, I really appreciate the HC Devs and they brought back a game I really like but it isn't evolving in regards to content. I do like the attempt at different wrinkles for powers but powers only take you so far.

[Reiska]

You can also read the contact's briefings by looking at the mission info, I believe, although you don't get to read the clues if you're not leading, unfortunately.

 

Also, of course, teams often won't wait for you to do that.

 

Unfortunately the solution really is to solo the arcs if you want to slowly read the story, or form a team with the mutual understanding that you're going to take the content slow and read stuff.