What Did EP4 Do Right?

[Altiea]

Opinion thread, ho!

So, we know the drill. EP4 is PSO2's dork age. The story is a massive step backward, the content is too easy, too much pandering to new players, Star Gems, etc. But it's also had a few upsides.

So, all things considered,

What, if anything, is good about EP4?

Aside from the godly vocal tracks, because everyone knows about those.

[ArcaneTechs]

shouldnt this have been asked once we got the last chapter released? that way you can make front of them for a cheesy ending?

[Xaeris]

I'd rather wait until the end of the episode to have this discussion. But, since we're here, Episode 4 did add several features that were a definite improvement to the game.

- Tier 6 graphics are wonderful.
- Collection Files put us less at the mercy of RNG, and free up space in storage now that we don't need several dozen varieties of space rocks anymore.
- NT grinding is cheaper and considerably less frustrating than OT grinding.
- We've gained a lot more storage with character storage, OTP storage expansion and PSO2es storage.
- Affixing is now in the easiest incarnation its ever been in.
- Layerwear opens up nice possibilities, though it is a double edged sword with its ticket implementation.

Plus, there's various little creature comforts that I can't be bothered to remember and list at the moment. While Episode 4 has stumbled in some very big ways (star gem scratch, frequency bonuses), in the end, I say it's a net positive.

[silo1991]

1 for now i would say the gathering /ring system
2 shirona and the random stuff she sells
3 the story board , allow you to progress the story faster without going out and back over and over again like the matterboard ( too bad the debut story is crap in the lowest level DX)
4 ( in relation with 1) the franka cafe that gives us a little rest of the lobby music from time to time and the best part is no matter in which channel i am, i always see people there compared with the casino which i rarely meet someone

plus the points xaeris said :P

[Skornedemon]

I'd rather wait until the end of the episode to have this discussion. But, since we're here, Episode 4 did add several features that were a definite improvement to the game.

- Tier 6 graphics are wonderful.
- Collection Files put us less at the mercy of RNG, and free up space in storage now that we don't need several dozen varieties of space rocks anymore.
- NT grinding is cheaper and considerably less frustrating than OT grinding.
- We've gained a lot more storage with character storage, OTP storage expansion and PSO2es storage.
- Affixing is now in the easiest incarnation its ever been in.
- Layerwear opens up nice possibilities, though it is a double edged sword with its ticket implementation.

Plus, there's various little creature comforts that I can't be bothered to remember and list at the moment. While Episode 4 has stumbled in some very big ways (star gem scratch, frequency bonuses), in the end, I say it's a net positive.

Everything listed here. As well as the upgraded Profound Darkness/Double.

I'll just be waiting until an increased level cap and/or something to catch my eye in the meantime.

[echofaith]

Adding summoner so that Husu is possible v:

[Enforcer MKV]

I'd rather wait until the end of the episode to have this discussion. But, since we're here, Episode 4 did add several features that were a definite improvement to the game.

- Tier 6 graphics are wonderful.
- Collection Files put us less at the mercy of RNG, and free up space in storage now that we don't need several dozen varieties of space rocks anymore.
- NT grinding is cheaper and considerably less frustrating than OT grinding.
- We've gained a lot more storage with character storage, OTP storage expansion and PSO2es storage.
- Affixing is now in the easiest incarnation its ever been in.
- Layerwear opens up nice possibilities, though it is a double edged sword with its ticket implementation.

Plus, there's various little creature comforts that I can't be bothered to remember and list at the moment. While Episode 4 has stumbled in some very big ways (star gem scratch, frequency bonuses), in the end, I say it's a net positive.

I definitely agree with all of this....buuuuuuuuuuuut.

Wait, affixing was made easier? Back up, I haven't paid attention to affixing and this is relevant to my interests. *coughs*

[Xaeris]

Most affixing improvements were made in Episode 3, but the addition of Touhou/Full Vegas Soul greatly expanded our options by breathing life into souls that we'd never look at twice otherwise. The % chances are all the same though, if that's what you thought I meant.

[SteveCZ]

The classes are way more balanced than before.
Some contents. (riding, mining/fishing, rings, PA crafts, collection file, limited-time one-kill zantetsuken, NT style grinding, pets, layer wears by stupid tickets, solo XQ, etc).
The story style changes, that it makes a few people quit.
Tons of happy mini fixes; recycle shop in main menu, batch weapon excubing, etc.
Level 75. Wait, that's not a feature.

Soo... is it working?

40450

Nah.

[pkemr4]

collection files but sega seems to be going assbackwards with going back to drop only or the case with orbit gunslash...

[isCasted]

EP4 did many good things that made the game more enjoyable, but none of them were done right (as in without additional annoyances and frustrations) except for soundtrack and storage expansions.

[Zyrusticae]

Xaeris listed everything I can think of.

I feel like timing out collection files was a huge mistake, but eh. Still a net positive that we have them at all.



Soo... is it working?

40450

Nah.
Wtf happened to the y-axis labels? They're upside-down and also not equally spaced. Da fug?

[Zysets]

Episode 4 has been (to me personally) one of the more interesting years in this game. I know some don't agree, but I love the Earth areas, and Skill Rings have been great so far. I'm also glad 12* Units focused on something besides straight defense and affixing, they've been unique in incorporating Skill Rings over set bonuses, been very useful to me as a Hu/Fi main. Besides gameplay, Franka's Cafe has been fun, whenever I want to meet up with friends, it's always there and the atmosphere of the area is nice and casual, a good change from the regular Lobby. The Sachiko Kobayashi concert is fun too, Youkoso ARKS has definitely gotten stuck in my head. Story is decent to say the least. I'm not as into as EP1-3, but it's kept me hooked enough to care, so I give it that.

I'm not gonna lie that some things have been broken or pointless, like I honestly thought Skill Rings and Gathering would have been part of existing crafting, but oh well.

I just hope Sega steps up next year, such as 14* weapons having more variety in potentials, and maybe keep adding ARKS quests for areas, I'm a bit disappointed Vegas didn't get one, considering Tokyo's was actually pretty nice for the most part.

[elryan]

I'd rather wait until the end of the episode to have this discussion. But, since we're here, Episode 4 did add several features that were a definite improvement to the game.

- Tier 6 graphics are wonderful.
- Collection Files put us less at the mercy of RNG, and free up space in storage now that we don't need several dozen varieties of space rocks anymore.
- NT grinding is cheaper and considerably less frustrating than OT grinding.
- We've gained a lot more storage with character storage, OTP storage expansion and PSO2es storage.
- Affixing is now in the easiest incarnation its ever been in.
- Layerwear opens up nice possibilities, though it is a double edged sword with its ticket implementation.

Plus, there's various little creature comforts that I can't be bothered to remember and list at the moment. While Episode 4 has stumbled in some very big ways (star gem scratch, frequency bonuses), in the end, I say it's a net positive.

All of that, plus these:
1. Quality of Life increased with mass untekking, unlimited duration stance, and recycle shop improvements.
2. Ultimate Amduscia and Necky's Challenge are challenging.
3. Expert block makes EQ much less frustrating.
4. Story is actually quite good. Sure it's abit like slice-of-life schoolgirl stuffs at the beginning, but the story gets much much better when nearing the end of the Episode.

[SteveCZ]

Wtf happened to the y-axis labels? They're upside-down and also not equally spaced. Da fug?

It's a rank. 1st rank is the highest, means more traffic / page visits. So, for example, that graphic tells that the page visit to pso2.jp is decreased since June 2016 and go down past the rank of Jan 2016 this month.

[Zorua]

Collection files have a lot of potential to make getting gear feasible for somebody like me who doesn't have time to sit around waiting for EQs. Now if only they weren't all locked behind EQs or given absurd collection rates *side eyes Vegas Illusia.* That said, we've already seen what it's like when it's done right. Ult Amduscia's collection file felt like a breath of fresh air to me.

[Great Pan]

EP4 was a mistake. 'Nuff said.

[Xaelouse]

collection files but sega seems to be going assbackwards with going back to drop only or the case with orbit gunslash...

They don't really want people quitting the quest after getting their collection files/stones done. A mix of both is actually smart.
Unfortunately you still can't really "hunt" them properly due to being tied to EQ or some quest designed with 12 people in mind (issues the game had for years).

What EP4 did right is the majority of that April 20 update, collect files, and rings.
What they did wrong is SG scratch and limiting certain things to scratches only. Maybe this stuff will become less limited at a much later date, maybe they'll honor their initial intent with introducing SG, who knows.

[Moffen]

collection files but sega seems to be going assbackwards with going back to drop only or the case with orbit gunslash...

Yeah that was by far the stupidest thing they've done so far and I havent touched the game for a while because of it as Neckys TD isnt worth anything to me now lol.

Felt like a middle finger from the devs to anyone who uses the gunslash.

[ralf542]

I would like to say that nothing was done right. But that wouldn't be true.

Story Board is better then Matter Board but it still sucks that you need UQ to clear all nodes just like with MB.
Las Vegas is a mistake, we try to make it great over and over but somehow it still stays bad. I'm curious how many people will get Astra series weapons.
Revolucio collection was good, but others not so. The problem is that the CF is limited time only and the EQ are only 30min long.
Pro Blocks are a mistake too. Everyone and their mother are there when it comes to CF runs. The free blocks either don't fill or we fail due to low on people. It's not so bad in the 1st 1-2 weeks but after that, good luck.
Layered wear is good, but it feels like wasted dev time to make underwear cuz you can't see it 99% of the time and most [Ou] are jackets.
NT grind is good cuz RNG can't screw you over so bad and it's way cheaper. But you need 6 copys to reach the power from OT weapons.
I can't say anything about skill rings, because we are still getting new ones and maybe later on we can affix 2 rings to 1 unit.


I got 2 weapon to 60 ele with the RDR boost week, i was busy after that. I would like to get a 3rd weapon to 60 ele, need 2 more copys. But i'm facing this problem whenever i have time to play:
40455

But at this point i would rather pay RMT and buy 8 +5% attribute items then paying Sega for premium and hope that i can get into the Pro Blocks. And no, i'm not staying home watching blocks 24/7 so i can get in without premium and get kicked from there with DC.

[Vatallus]

Hmm. I don't know where to start. I don't really like EP4 nor do I really hate it. I don't hate the SG scratch as it is just vanity items and they give us ways to get Star Gems without paying cash.

The EP4 story was kind of bland. The last chapter was ok, can only hope the next is great.

Collection Files are hit and miss. People complained about 13*s being too hard to drop, now people complain they are too easy to get. Most of the collection files so far were meh at best but we had a few good ones.

NT grind system is eh... I'll give the special factor system a thumbs up when it is added since it gives us a way to get rid of old weapons in a meaningful way.

Tokyo has neat at first... then got old. Really old. I don't want to go there. Same with Las Vegas. Las Vegas didn't even get much of a story.

I can't say much about "Pro Blocks" since those blocks are always full on Ship 9 during wanted EQs. They weren't exactly hard to get into anyway.

Bonus Scratch Items.... piss off.

Plenty of neat things though. More storage, more graphics, more neat things about to be added.

I would say feature wise EP4 was good. I would say gameplay/story wise EP4 was mediocre.


How would I improve the game in the future? *glares at Nakamura*

[vantpers]

Episode 4 sucks mostly when it comes to actual content you get to play through. Yamato is a really boring EQ and the best content is from EP3 like PD and Ult Amd that was made into a pseudo-TA and gets boring really quick. It's one point where EP4 fails really bad. Too much effort went into minor improvements with major workload required like graphics or finding budget for a retarded anime. It also had a retarded way of implementing good ideas, like SG EQ triggers, or skill rings. It also feels like we should be getting a new difficulty this episode, not EP5 hopefully. Also almost nobody likes Summoner.

Sega just wasn't able to manage their content properly and we got Yamato which felt like a more boring version of Mothership EQ with AIS slapped on, instead of wasting all that time on something fun. Vegas free field enemies feel the same way when you're supposed to jump into riding quests and go from pack to pack in 12 person MPA. You probably won't even see many of them attacking. Ult Amd also falls in this category with it having entire 8 unique encounters not counting boss lottery between Deadlion and Quartz. Teleporter is also successful in preventing players from kickstarting MPAs with low numbers and just letting people join on the fly. You either solo it or go in 12 man pretty much.

On the other hand EP4 got us 3 button setup which is a miracle. Skill rings abilities are overall pretty great and Sega definitely did some good balance changes. All those minor improvements and QoL stuff stack so the game is much more comfortable to play now. Power creep was pretty tame overall. We didn't get anything better than Austere until Gix with some rough conditionals that also did its fair share of balancing. I prefer the story structure as it is now compared to chasing irrelevant enemies in free fields for nodes and then getting tablets in arks quests.

[Zysets]

Also almost nobody likes Summoner.

I mostly agree with everything except this. I see way more Summoners in Expert blocks and XH missions than I ever expected too, plus Summoner is actually a pretty solid class, and covers a lot of bases. Summoner feels like the "Red Mage" for PSO2, if that makes sense. I still expected/wanted a Ranged/Tech combo class over this, but I'm more than satisfied with Summoner.


I've also heard that some more populated ships, like Ship 1 I believe, always have people doing the teleporter quests like Riding Quests. Or even the older UQs.

I may be wrong, but I think that's a server specific issue. I'm assuming you're on Ship 2 (like me), and Ship 2 has one of the smallest (if not the smallest) Ship population.

[Meteor Weapon]

I wouldn't have minded summoner if it wasn't the fact that Summoner related drops had an absurd high drop rate on any other class and i have to waste time not picking them up to not fill my inventory. 13* eggs always gives a false hope on players who don't play summoner. I get more 13* eggs than any other 13* weapons and it's frustrating to get something I wouldn't enjoy playing. Just keep the eggs low on other class and i wouldn't have minded.

[Eternal255]

Everyone's mentioning NT grinding, I feel like I'm the only person that hates NT weapons. I would prefer OT grinding any day.

Other things I hate:
-Collection files (just make 13* items tradable if you're going to make them that easy to get)
-Summoner
-Although I am enjoying it, the story is pretty bad
-Gathering (poorly executed, but I like the concept)
-Star Gems and SG related concepts

Things I like:
-Franka's Cafe (especially this nightclub theme)
-Rings
-Expert blocks (though I wish they had higher restrictions)

[Meteor Weapon]

Was it fun to get back and forth at +5 to +9 and wasting millions in the process because you weren't so lucky?

[Eternal255]

Was it fun to get back and forth at +5 to +9 and wasting millions in the process because you weren't so lucky?

I never really had a problem with it. Especially with 13*'s and easy access to +30% grind items. NT grinding is tedious and dumb.

[Vatallus]

13*s having a higher grind chance than 11/12*s did. Though I think they tried to balance that by making 13* OT grinding cost 200k a pop.

[TehCubey]

NT grinding can't fail and tends to be cheaper on average (if you know what you're doing). I don't really see a problem.

[Eternal255]

13*s having a higher grind chance than 11/12*s did. Though I think they tried to balance that by making 13* OT grinding cost 200k a pop.

Ultimately making +10'ing cost 1.2m (assuming no failures, which is pretty easy for 13*) and a +10'd 13* without pot's is still pretty useful for alts, vs a +10'd NT for them.
13* NT costs about 700-900k per 12* +25'd nox item you feed (assuming you are buying only +3 to +5 10* NT's for fodder, at roughly 5 to 10k a piece), which you need 6 of them at least, plus 6 copies of the same weapon to +35.

NT is far from cheaper nor easier imo. It *can be* cheaper, but usually isn't, for me at least.

[THRINE4]

I've also heard that some more populated ships, like Ship 1 I believe, always have people doing the teleporter quests like Riding Quests. Or even the older UQs.



Nope.

[Sirius-91]

Wtf happened to the y-axis labels? They're upside-down and also not equally spaced. Da fug?
This is actually quite common in most asian games.

That said, I do feel that while EP4's story has broken traditions in some aspects, I do enjoy and like the direction they're going in. The problem they had with EP1-3 was creating characters that they wanted to be popular, so they emphasized on building plot for that character, which failed, because it still didn't help the character's plot development much.

With EP4, they're only making characters with relevance to the plot or mechanics.

The CF's however, I have mixed opinions on and I feel that overall, it makes the game too easy and less diversity. On the other hand, it's excellent to keep those without dedicated time to play an option of getting the weapons they wanted with minimal work.

[Zysets]

Nope.

Really? That'd weird, I've heard that from Ship 1 friends. Oh well guess I was wrong, that sucks.

[Zorua]

Really? That'd weird, I've heard that from Ship 1 friends. Oh well guess I was wrong, that sucks.

Anything that isn't Ult Amduscia or a good EQ is fucking dead here. Our population's mindset is pretty much "Does it give the best gear currently? If no, then it's a waste of time."

[silo1991]

[QUOTE=Sirius-91;3404344]With EP4, they're only making characters with relevance to the plot or mechanics.

yeah and also you know the phantoms never had a future when sega end up recycling the darkers; because seriously they're the most MEH enemies i ever saw and i said this before but they just dont give me the creative/witty feel like the enemies from anything before earth , the only phantoms i liked was train ghidoran, and maybe mother raid form and thats it

my complain is all the artistic direction(the ambientation on earth and the sloth stetic of the phantoms ) , not gameplay , and as soon as i finish to max the elemental damage of my seiga sword i wont come back to earth ever again

P.S: when the UQ amduscia sheet ends i hope sega turn it a tradictional EQ just like the other 2

[Zyrusticae]

Ultimately making +10'ing cost 1.2m (assuming no failures, which is pretty easy for 13*) and a +10'd 13* without pot's is still pretty useful for alts, vs a +10'd NT for them.
13* NT costs about 700-900k per 12* +25'd nox item you feed (assuming you are buying only +3 to +5 10* NT's for fodder, at roughly 5 to 10k a piece), which you need 6 of them at least, plus 6 copies of the same weapon to +35.

NT is far from cheaper nor easier imo. It *can be* cheaper, but usually isn't, for me at least.
You're doing it wrong. Going for +25'd 12*s is only useful if you REALLY want to save lambda grinders (which, considering you can get 44 per week free from doing weeklies on your free characters, is kinda pointless). Otherwise, simply using untekked 10*s and emper weapons is all you need, and it is FAR cheaper than doing it any other way.

Every NT weapon you throw away in grinding is lost XP and lost meseta. Don't make that mistake.

[Meteor Weapon]

" it's excellent to keep those without dedicated time to play an option of getting the weapons they wanted with minimal work."

I don't know if time limited, low percentage rate is what i call excellent for people who have no time and wish to get it 60 ele on every weapon they wanted.

Remove the time limit on non seasonal and CF would've been great.

[wefwq]

They did some stuff right, but mostly ran the rest to the ground. Also failed to deliver "fresh" stuff on time.
- Tier 6 graphic, even though i can't use it :(
- Reworked PD both in general difficulty and patterns
- Ring system (minus the gathering system)
- Streamlined story system
- NT weapon grind system
- Collection file system to replace stone exchange (i still hated it that sheet only available for limited amount of time though)
- Franka cafe area, including every usable chairs on it
- Expert block system
- Interface makeup just because i like this kind of update the most
- 3 Button system to eliminate usage of horrid old combo-system

Still don't outweigh the ugly stuff they shove though.
- Yamato being absolute utter jobber for such overhyped EQ
- Implementation of SG system, hinting more microtransaction with different currency for no good reason
- Implementation of SG scratch, on the top of it: untradeable
- Some collection file only clearable by playing certain time-limited quest
- Amduscia UQ (yes i'm still mad)
- Summoner, but mostly because of their exclusive use of egg drops
- EGG DROPS and *13 PARFAITS
- All "stamina" system related stuff that added (collection file cooldown, pet feeding, gathering stamina, fishing stamina, etc.)
- Treasure shop for being mostly useless, and EQ trigger

[Meteor Weapon]

I'm still wondering what's the setup for 3 button system for the xbox controller( im using razer sabertooth though). I'm still using 2 button system

[Altiea]

I'm still wondering what's the setup for 3 button system for the xbox controller( im using razer sabertooth though). I'm still using 2 button system

Default is weird; it uses some shoulder trigger as the third button, which makes me unhappy. I currently have it set up where Square/Triangle/O is my attack buttons, L2 is Interact, R2 is dodge, and R3 is Use Subpalette.

[Eternal255]

You're doing it wrong. Going for +25'd 12*s is only useful if you REALLY want to save lambda grinders (which, considering you can get 44 per week free from doing weeklies on your free characters, is kinda pointless). Otherwise, simply using untekked 10*s and emper weapons is all you need, and it is FAR cheaper than doing it any other way.

Every NT weapon you throw away in grinding is lost XP and lost meseta. Don't make that mistake.

Hmm I'll try it out that way and see what I can save then.

FYI a +5'd 10* NT is about +130 exp (typically these cost 5-10k) where as a +0'd one is worth 50 exp, so I always throw away 10*'s that are less than +3 (+3 is like 100 exp or something) or swap them for 10* passes and buy +5'd ones cuz it saves both meseta and grinders that way.

But yeah the total amount of lambda grinders needed is ridiculous, especially when you have 10 or 20 13*'s you need to grind -_-

Also, isn't it only 33 lambda grinders per week?

[starwind75043]

What they did right.

Summoner

new pa customization

NT grinding

Matter board simplification(actually story...well i can wait till ep 5 and hope we become the main character in the game again)

Layer wear

Solo xg (its pretty fun doing it with su main)

Skill Rings + 12* units (counting these together since once can make the other better)

Expert block, sub quest requirement (75 main 75 sub) I get what they did there so I wont knock it as bad. On the quest requirement Devs cant help it if a players are lazy and only have Odd classes like Hu and Fo to 70 or 75 so that is what there going play Ulit as a Hu/Fo.