I don't think people mind a grind, the issue is that every grind is literally a chore that's just simply not fun in PSO2. Collection Files are, in fact, the greatest example of this and should never have been implemented in the first place.
To get a 13* now, you play a certain quest 5 times, then kill some enemies about 20 times, then jump to another quest and kill 50 of another, then get your last time finishing off with 3 of a certain boss. To me, that sounds like a typical MMO grind, and not really "playing" PSO2 and all it has to offer.
The problem is, the entire game is guided like this. There is no just zipping down to areas anymore in hopes of some dank rares to obtain that you can use or trade to other people. Everything comes from orders, collect files, scheduled emergency quests -- once you're at the level cap, there is nothing to do of your own volition if you want to feel like you're making progress on your characters.
In comparison to the original PSO, this wasn't the case. There was no such thing as client orders at all, no system to give out rares by jumping across different quests and killing a few enemies in each. Every area (and most IDs) had some nice drops to get as you played, and everything was a free market meaning you could just play what you found fun to be able to make progress on your char, as there were no real EXP grinds either (while there were the boss rushes, they weren't that far ahead of just playing and you never got any gear doing that). The free market and everything being tradeable meant everything was worthwhile to every player, as if you didn't need it, you gave it to someone who did and earned currency or an item you actually wanted.
I haven't played PSO2 in a while because it pretty much dictates what you have to do to make progress, and I don't like that at all. In fact, I've gone
back to the original PSOBB, because it's a game designed to be played anytime, anywhere and at your own leisure, rather than constantly having to play catch up and currency farm, in which case you need to wait for the right time to play anyway (either an EQ or waiting for things to reset).
Sakai has complained that the playerbase in PSO2 has been declining because of players being "elitist" and new players aren't staying, but I think that's a cop out. The reason people aren't staying is because everything in PSO2 is a chore now. There are no real events that really showcase the game, and players aren't free to simply progress when they choose and how they choose, because if you don't follow Sakai's guide to playing, you don't get anywhere and simply feel unsatisfied
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