Early Access Combat Leaves Players Seeking Major Updates

By Ryan in Feedback • Published on November 13th, 2024

In the wake of a recent early access release, players have been vocal about the game's combat system, with many describing it as "unrewarding" and "in need of a serious overhaul." The growing calls for changes have highlighted issues with the progression mechanics, user interface, and gear effectiveness, sparking intense discussions across player communities. Though excitement around the game's concept remains high, the combat experience has emerged as a primary pain point.

Combat Concerns: Gear Feels Ineffective

One of the most common complaints is that gear seems to have minimal impact on combat performance. Players report that even high-level or rare items feel inconsequential, with some saying that an Epic-level item found at level 4 can serve them up to level 40 because new items don't noticeably improve damage or protection. The distinction between gear tiers appears largely aesthetic, as the gear does little to alter damage dealt or mitigate incoming hits.

This design means that a weapon with a higher level (even by quite a bit) doesn't necessarily translate to improved performance; combat outcomes remain largely tied to player level. Similarly, armor provides only marginal protection, leading many to feel that upgrading or replacing equipment lacks reward and purpose. Without meaningful scaling, combat often feels stagnant, with battles feeling almost identical regardless of player progress or new equipment.

Frustrations with the User Interface

The user interface and methods for engaging enemies have also drawn criticism. Players find the multi-click process to initiate combat clunky, suggesting that a single-click option would streamline the experience. Ideally, left-clicking an enemy could allow players to begin combat with their preferred attack, with further customization options to reduce the number of steps needed to engage.

RNG and Unpredictability in Combat

The combat system's reliance on random number generation (RNG) has left some players baffled. Many report that damage values vary unpredictably, with occasional, unexpected hits dealing several times the normal damage. Players can go from comfortably defeating an enemy in one fight to suddenly getting overwhelmed by a critical hit from the same enemy type. This unpredictability, while adding an element of surprise, is causing frustration as it can make combat feel arbitrary rather than "skill-based".

By the way, do you know what happens when you die in Brighter Shores?

Specific Player Feedback: Combat Needs to Reflect Gear and Skill

On social media and Reddit, players have shared specific stories and ideas about the issues with combat:

• Inadequate Damage Scaling: Many players feel that damage doesn't scale adequately with gear or player level. For instance, players at level 60 report still hitting low damage values against similarly leveled enemies. Some speculate that enemies' defenses scale to maintain a close ratio to player stats, limiting the player's feeling of progress.

• Enemy Vulnerabilities Feel Meaningless: Weapons designed to exploit enemy weaknesses don't seem to provide a noticeable advantage, leaving players questioning the value of weapon variety or elemental damage types. For instance, one player noted that attacking enemies with a weapon suited to their elemental weakness resulted in no significant damage improvement.

• Inconsistent Armor Protection: While weapons have some impact, armor upgrades often feel irrelevant. Players noted that switching to higher-quality armor doesn't seem to reduce the damage taken from the same enemies. This has left many feeling that the armor system lacks balance and that gear upgrades don't significantly improve their survivability.

User Experience and Quality-of-Life Suggestions

Players are also asking for quality-of-life improvements to streamline gameplay beyond combat mechanics:

• Automatic Weapon Switching for Ranged Fighters: Players using ranged weapons find it frustrating to manually switch to a melee weapon after running out of ammo. An automatic swap to melee mode when ammo depletes could help avoid unnecessary deaths.

• Improved UI and Hotkeys: The game's current user interface design has led to complaints about excessive clicking and navigation. Many players desire a simpler, more intuitive UI, with the ability to left-click to interact with common items and options to configure hotkeys for easy access to frequently used functions.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Immediate Improvements

The feedback from players overwhelmingly points to a combat system that many feel lacks depth, excitement, and true player progression. Gear upgrades, elemental weaknesses, and the role of randomness all need attention to create a combat experience that feels rewarding. Some players have even drawn comparisons to RuneScape, a title that Andrew Gower, the game's creator, previously worked on, emphasizing that combat was a central aspect that made the game engaging.

If Gower and the development team respond to these calls for an overhaul, the game could see a major boost in its early access appeal. Adjusting gear scaling, refining RNG elements, and enhancing the UI would go a long way in transforming the combat experience from a source of frustration into a compelling reason to keep playing.

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