How good is exploration?

[seanshineyouth]

Compared to say Elden ring or Zelda?

[zatone]

Much worst. They tried so hard to make an intricate connection like in dark souls one but it feels like a bunch maps stacks together. I do not hate the game, i played it a lot, but the map interconnection does not feel right imo.

[Virake]

you're not in danger of fighting through a difficult area just to be rewarded with useless crafting materials — this alone makes exploration in LotF leagues better than in Elden Ring. level design is on par with Dark Souls 1, or maybe even better — lots of shortcuts, and you have options in terms of checkpoint placement. not to mention the hidden umbral layer of the world, which has additional routes and loot.

Originally posted by zatone:

the map interconnection does not feel right imo.

it makes more sense with vestige decay enabled.

[Qofe]

Compared to ER/last Zeldas exploration felt more paced and driven, as it's not an open world. Now specific places will require some focus. Got lost countless of times in one particular area. Overall learning the maps, memorizing pathes and numerous connections was pretty rewarding.

Also, exploration is hard carried by the art direction. So even if you were more into open worlds, I'd recommend to give this one a shot.

[chinsky]

Originally posted by Virake:

you're not in danger of fighting through a difficult area just to be rewarded with useless crafting materials — this alone makes exploration in LotF leagues better than in Elden Ring. level design is on par with Dark Souls 1, or maybe even better — lots of shortcuts, and you have options in terms of checkpoint placement. not to mention the hidden umbral layer of the world, which has additional routes and loot.

Originally posted by zatone:

the map interconnection does not feel right imo.

it makes more sense with vestige decay enabled.

Ya'll really have to stop dickriding this game so hard. Anytime there's any criticism the response is always "oh it's better then dark souls/elden ring, it's the greatest game ever.". Just stop already. The game is fine at best. The map layout is pretty bad. And adding a modifier to make it harder doesn't help you understand the map. Again just stop with the nonsense.

[Virake]

Originally posted by chinsky:

Ya'll really have to stop dickriding this game so hard. Anytime there's any criticism the response is always "oh it's better then dark souls/elden ring, it's the greatest game ever.". Just stop already. The game is fine at best. The map layout is pretty bad. And adding a modifier to make it harder doesn't help you understand the map. Again just stop with the nonsense.

nobody's saying that.

[Clail]

It's not an open world game, linear dungeons with optional branches once in awhile and secret areas. The lamp mechanic does add a neat "shadow realm" to double check areas with for extra loot or hidden passages.

More similar to Dark Souls 1 - 3.

[Senki]

worse than elden ring because it's a more linear game but about as good as dark souls, sometimes better

[Senki]

Originally posted by Virake:

you're not in danger of fighting through a difficult area just to be rewarded with useless crafting materials — this alone makes exploration in LotF leagues better than in Elden Ring. level design is on par with Dark Souls 1, or maybe even better — lots of shortcuts, and you have options in terms of checkpoint placement. not to mention the hidden umbral layer of the world, which has additional routes and loot.

Originally posted by zatone:

the map interconnection does not feel right imo.

it makes more sense with vestige decay enabled.

you'll still gonna pick up plenty of weapons and items you will never use just for the sake of picking them up, it's not much better than ER in that aspect

[Imniscor]

Exploration is one of the worst aspects of the game.

[Rain]

Originally posted by Senki:

Originally posted by Virake:

you're not in danger of fighting through a difficult area just to be rewarded with useless crafting materials — this alone makes exploration in LotF leagues better than in Elden Ring. level design is on par with Dark Souls 1, or maybe even better — lots of shortcuts, and you have options in terms of checkpoint placement. not to mention the hidden umbral layer of the world, which has additional routes and loot.it makes more sense with vestige decay enabled.

you'll still gonna pick up plenty of weapons and items you will never use just for the sake of picking them up, it's not much better than ER in that aspect

Now weapon variety is a bad thing? Wth are you on man? You just wanna hate the game for hate sake?

[IDKFA]

I loved the exploration and didn't find any of the locations disconnected. Felt like DS3 if anything.

[palacentes]

exploration is good! The exploration can be big, lots to fight( or can run) but its fairly balanced by the umbral system. If you are killed, you rise again in umbral mode( next death is for real), and you can find things that "revive" you, and give you this allowance again. Plus they have heal regen consumables when your HP flask is empty. You can last longer and fight more. The drops arent bad, plenty of weapons, spells and good stuff around.

Maps look good, fit w lore. Can be something of a maze if you are new, lots of treasure optional paths and puzzles to unlock areas or need to go the long way and unlock short cuts.

Umbral version of the map is a bit overwhelming at first, but soon enough, it wont matter. ( if you see weird butterflies/ strange magic in the real world, then there is an umbral secret)

[Aerys]

it's more like dark souls, linear open map, not open world what that means? the places are limited with walls of their own but you can still go anywhere you want through out the entire playthrough

[Narcissistic Cannibal]

Originally posted by Senki:

you'll still gonna pick up plenty of weapons and items you will never use just for the sake of picking them up, it's not much better than ER in that aspect

I'd rather pick a sick-looking axe that I'd never use rather than complete an Elden Ring dungeon to open a chest and find a flower.

[Virake]

Originally posted by Senki:

you'll still gonna pick up plenty of weapons and items you will never use just for the sake of picking them up, it's not much better than ER in that aspect

not the same thing. you can change your build to use new weapons. everything you find is potentially useful.

finding crafting materials that are not dynamically spawning around the world is pointless because they're mostly used for making ammo and consumables, which are of limited utility.