I am really enjoying my time in Brighter Shores. It is definitely a spiritual successor to the Gower Brothers' previous game and I can see it being just as big and successful. Controls are simple, UI is intuitive, graphics are very polished, music is delightful, the maps are robust and sprawling worlds in and of themselves. Combat is engaging, and I like that players are encouraged to use and progress all of their skills from the get go. Quests have the same Gower flare of adventure, exploration, and humour.

Despite my initial reservations to the "zoned" design of the game, it does not feel as tunnel vision and enclosed as I thought it would. The world still feels big and open, and it's an interesting solution to keeping "one world" always populated instead of having to choose between multiple servers.

I know a lot people are upset about the skill limitations in each chapter, but the maps are so sprawling and big that I don't see it as being that big of a deal. I also have faith in the Gowers that with the tremendous success of their previous endeavor, they know what they are doing and are trying out something a bit different. This game is in its early stages and I'm guessing that as more episodes and zones are developed, the reasons for this system choice will become clear.

The only strange thing I noticed was that the monthly subscription is a significantly better deal than the 3-month or yearly option... which leads me to believe that when the game leaves early access the monthly price will be raised and that early players who take advantage of the $6/mo subscription will be grandfathered in.

I am really enjoying my time in Brighter Shores. It is definitely a spiritual successor to the Gower Brothers' previous game and I can see it being just as big and successful. Controls are simple, UI is intuitive, graphics are very polished, music is delightful, the maps are robust and sprawling worlds in and of themselves. Combat is engaging, and I like that players are encouraged to use and progress all of their skills from the get go. Quests have the same Gower flare of adventure, exploration, and humour. Despite my initial reservations to the "zoned" design of the game, it does not feel as tunnel vision and enclosed as I thought it would. The world still feels big and open, and it's an interesting solution to keeping "one world" always populated instead of having to choose between multiple servers. I know a lot people are upset about the skill limitations in each chapter, but the maps are so sprawling and big that I don't see it as being that big of a deal. I also have faith in the Gowers that with the tremendous success of their previous endeavor, they know what they are doing and are trying out something a bit different. This game is in its early stages and I'm guessing that as more episodes and zones are developed, the reasons for this system choice will become clear. The only strange thing I noticed was that the monthly subscription is a significantly better deal than the 3-month or yearly option... which leads me to believe that when the game leaves early access the monthly price will be raised and that early players who take advantage of the $6/mo subscription will be grandfathered in.