Shane Stoddart

2 stars, only because I cannot choose 2.5, and I can't say 3. I pre-ordered the founders pack, and followed the development for this title for a long time. With 4 level 50 characters, two of which have hit the first grind requirement (460 ilevel, my review of this game is largely mixed. If you enjoy the look of the combat presented in this game, then I would largely suggest evaluating that around 10% of the game is the combat. While is it mildly entertaining, with colorful and animated skills, the "talent point" investment into the skills creates 0 changes in how the skills operate. The combat itself is a mix of ability spamming with zero fear of enemy mechanics. even in the 460ilevel "raid" and "dungeon" content you would have to afk to even be challenged, at all. After a few hours, the combat is as repetitive and mindless as the questing system. After you complete the main story "endgame" content (beyond 2-3 10 minute activities you can do daily) the game is gated and you begin sailing on your ship from island to island collecting materials to upgrade your gear (honing). This process is tedious...at best. It usually requires completing menial tasks and more A to B quests. If you enjoy collecting materials for hours and hours, so you can be rewarded with another hour of story quests and a few easy, short combat periods.. then this game might be right up your alley. I would never shame anyone for their opinion on the story and questing; however, I cannot understand the claims that this game's story and leveling design are impressive. It is largely the same "demon bad, you good" story we have seen 1000 times, and the questing is mostly hyper-repetitive travel from point A, to point B quests and press "G" to hear useless dialogue. The game is beautiful, no questioning that. That said, the beauty of the world doesn't remove the endless boredom that this game tags on its its supposed "endgame". After taking 20 hours to hit level 50 on 2 characters, and boosting 2 more to 50 with powerpasses, and spending another 20 hours grinding materials to partake in some truly boring combat encounters...do yourself a favor, and don't accept the hype. For anyone interested in playing a quality MMO with variable endgame activities, or for those that have interest in challenging raid and dungeon environments, This isn't it. 5/10 for me.