The meta-progression system in this game is very poorly thought out.

[PentaBill]

You have to lose several times in order to level up your embellishments but once you get most of the embellishments unlocked you'll get to a point where you'll never lose to the game's artificial difficulty (like non-elite mobs in stage 2 that are literally impossible to beat unless you have said embellishments unlocked). There's a reason why deckbuilding games like STS or MT don't have meta-progression systems other than unlocking access to new cards and relics. Imagine if you had the ability in STS to permanently upgrade the health and damage of your character as well as guarantee access to the best relics in the game. It would absolutely trivialize A20 runs and literally no one would play. Well, that's what they've done in this game.

[midori]

I beat stage 2 the first time i played the game lol

[Dathrell]

Originally posted by midori:

I beat stage 2 the first time i played the game lol

Dunno how. For me difficulty of this game is insane.

[Swimfan]

Originally posted by midori:

I beat stage 2 the first time i played the game lol

I did so on my second run but that doesn't prove anything ;-) You CAN be pretty lucky even on your first run BUT while I do love some permanent upgrades, I also think that they went too far in this game. The amount of perks you get for grinding is not well done. From what I've seen of the perk system so far I'd say that OP is kinda missing the point just a little (the game can be made harder which - in return - makes the perks less gamebreaking again) BUT he's right in that some perks are clearly meant to be unlocked right from the start (the stuff that fills your map with necessary services f.e.).

[Atmaz]

The game is designed such that it is easily possible to be completed on the first run. We have done this multiple times internally and have seen it done by many.

However, that does not mean it isn't difficult. The meta progression we have implemented serves two main purposes:

- To pull some of the complexity of the Overworld map away from the first runs, so as not to overwhelm weaker players. Things like Alchemists, Faeria Wells, treasures on the map - these things unlock very early and allow the first run to be more simple and clean. The goal is to trickle information a bit more slowly to the player as they learn the ropes.
- To increase power level slightly as you move into the higher Epliogues, but not at a rate that requires any grinding. Things like bonuses for completing epilogues for the first time help this move along quickly.

Of course, each player experience is going to be different and I'm sure we don't have it executed perfectly, but that is the mentality we have designed our meta progression around.

[Sveakungen]

Tuning a game like this takes time! So we can not expect it to be "perfect" at release! I have faith in you, after all you created the (in my opinion) masterpiece Faeria!

[MagiMelkor]

Originally posted by Dathrell:

Originally posted by midori:

I beat stage 2 the first time i played the game lol

Dunno how. For me difficulty of this game is insane.

Run 1 stage 3 completed and new guy unlocked.
Run 2 stage 3 completed and final guy unlocked, with the all elite fights have to be fought and they do 20% more damage modifier.
If you played the demo at all, it's all about managing your gems properly, and basically getting the cookie card that makes next card cost 2 fewer energy for the rest of the battle, come back to your hand after use, then everything gets pretty easy. Main other thing is expanding your deck quickly, while only looking at artifacts in the shop.

Also if you missed some of the story events early in your run, good luck as they are super super needed.

[Ferret96]

I only have the first two characters unlocked, by I was able to beet that Yak launcher thing on my first try. Much like any other game in this genre, you also have to get to know the deck archetypes. It is hard! But I would rather have it a bit hard than easy to beat

[[LoFR]Kaizoku]

This game is *not* beatable on the first run, really annoying that devs themselves are repeating this really disingenuous phrase. A "first run" is a blind run, not a run by someone who has dev knowledge or someone who has already played other versions of the game for 200+ hours. The amount of decks that aren't completely bricked by specific enemies/the amount of cards that are actually useful, combined with gem rng and knowing which of them are busted, makes clearing your first run 100% impossible.

[[LoFR]Kaizoku]

Originally posted by ZirzoR:

Originally posted by LoFRKaizoku:

This
pretend gamer wailing and masturbatory keyboard mashing here

Oh hey, it's that jerk everyone blocked that pretends to be good at games. Welcome to another block list.

[Swimfan]

Originally posted by LoFRKaizoku:

This game is *not* beatable on the first run, really annoying that devs themselves are repeating this really disingenuous phrase. A "first run" is a blind run, not a run by someone who has dev knowledge or someone who has already played other versions of the game for 200+ hours. The amount of decks that aren't completely bricked by specific enemies/the amount of cards that are actually useful, combined with gem rng and knowing which of them are busted, makes clearing your first run 100% impossible.

I guess it isn't if you've played StS for hundreds of hours because that game is pretty similar (you learn what card is good in a deck and which to avoid most times).

But yeah, I also don't think that beating the game on the first run is really doable with the knowledge someone has at that point.
That being said: No roguelike works like that and that's probably part of their design.

[Walker_Paranor]

People have played StS for dozens of hours before beating it for the first time. Half of the fun of these games is playing with the cards and exploring all the interactions and combos.

Everyone arguing about whether or not the game is beatable on the first run should just relax. These games are never designed so the average person wins on their first try, but an absolute PRO probably could.

I'd expect a high IQ streamer like jorbs to probably plow through this game on his first try. But only because they're deeply familiar with the genre and are absolute masters of understanding how their decks draw. Even that would require a degree of luck, too, I'm sure.

[Soüp]

Originally posted by Swimfan:

I guess it isn't if you've played StS for hundreds of hours because that game is pretty similar (you learn what card is good in a deck and which to avoid most times).

It absolutely is, and I'd argue it only gets harder over time because card unlocks just dilute the card pool. All the game knowledge and guides in the world can't save you when the game won't give you cards that work together.

[Ellye]

People really need to beat everything on the first try or they go crying in the forums nowadays, eh?

[Swimfan]

Originally posted by Soüp:

Originally posted by Swimfan:

I guess it isn't if you've played StS for hundreds of hours because that game is pretty similar (you learn what card is good in a deck and which to avoid most times).

It absolutely is, and I'd argue it only gets harder over time because card unlocks just dilute the card pool. All the game knowledge and guides in the world can't save you when the game won't give you cards that work together.

True that ^^
Whenever a new card unlocks I'm like "YES, VERY COOL" and directly after that I'm like "Oh wait, sh**, that doesn't help me at all!"

There are exceptions tho: Sharras card unlock that doubles bleeding stacks and then applies bleeding on top are clearly what the whole playstyle is created around.

[MagiMelkor]

Originally posted by Swimfan:

Originally posted by Soüp:

It absolutely is, and I'd argue it only gets harder over time because card unlocks just dilute the card pool. All the game knowledge and guides in the world can't save you when the game won't give you cards that work together.

True that ^^
Whenever a new card unlocks I'm like "YES, VERY COOL" and directly after that I'm like "Oh wait, sh**, that doesn't help me at all!"

There are exceptions tho: Sharras card unlock that doubles bleeding stacks and then applies bleeding on top are clearly what the whole playstyle is created around.

Cardwise yeah the later runs are more annoying with more terrible cards, but at least you can stop using Sharras after getting aurora, then game goes to complete easymode. Biggest change versus StS imo is here you want more cards for those talent levels. First run is pretty easily doable you just need to do all fights, and hopefully find your story narrative squares.