Completing storyline diminishes incentive to continue to play (Unlike prequel's NG+)
The storyline could be the end. Or an ending and a new beginning
Unlike Far Cry 5 where you introduced the NG+ feature, which was one I greatly appreciated, this sequel Far Cry New Dawn needs something similar and/or different but equally exciting!
Completing the storyline diminishes incentive to continue to play
The game is quite easy (with the difficulty set at the highest possible setting). Simply completing the storyline, discovering all locations - including the puzzles, secrets and expeditions - while continuously upgrading the elite level weaponry to the point of being vastly overpowered was exciting and enjoyable until you realize that the only thing left to do ultimately lands on hunting.
Large portions of the open-world map does not need serve a singular purpose at the cost of repetitive familiarity
The area covering almost a third of the open-world loses meaningful exploration;
- The north side mostly constrict movement between the water, a few unexciting cliffs as soon as you progress past "into the wild"
- The relics of Josephs monument serves, at best, as a landmark for orientation while the prequel offered way more. A lot of intense events as well as mystery and lore made this the ideal central for the county, at least when the different regions had an important function.
- "Scavenge" on highest difficulty and level offer little challenge, this bleeds over to the incentive to collect prestige outfit components as you get a full set in 10-15 minutes.
- Monstrous beasts makes the deputy far too valuable for hunting to be challenging, this is specially true once you've completed the game.
Far Cry 5 offered a more cinematic and static progression while FCND focused on the open world aspect
I'm all for that. It didn't make a lot of sense to me when I realized just how small Hope County have become.
I like both games and I am hoping that the best of the prequel's still in the making and that something similar to NG+ (Scavenge doesn't quite fill the role) combined with added NPCs, beasts and Highwaymen - henchmen and enforcers alike - both in variation, ability and difficulty - will be added. That and what ever the geniuses at Ubisoft come up with!
Thank you for reading and hopefully players like me could chime in and bump this; I rather crave than regret, suggest than correct, experience over memories.
-- Your biggest fan!