Early game gets repetitive

[Nei]

I was playing a run and really enjoying it. I found all the necessary parts to get the artefact, but then delayed getting it, I was really enjoying the run and actually not looking forward to starting a new one. Eventually there wasn't much resources left, so I decided to win the game and reluctantly started a new one.

Starting a new game felt quite dull. I mean the game becomes really fun, but the beginnings are just so slow and repetitive. I feel like it only starts getting interesting after a couple of upgrades, and especially after getting some cool dome technologies. After that the run does actually start feel unique due to differing combinations of dome technologies. But essentially every games beginning is identical.

I didn't mind at first, but after a few runs... getting started actually takes quite a bit of time, time that I don't really enjoy, since it just feels like a chore to get to what's actually interesting/fun. I feel like this game needs... something... in the early game to give it more variety. I would love to feel excited to start a new run, not to dread it.

[Osprey]

I don't have a big problem with it, but I agree that the game doesn't start to become fun until you get the first upgrades for drill, suit speed and carrying capacity. Perhaps there could be a run modifier that allows you to start with those three upgrades (and maybe even a few basic ones, like wave meter, health meter and inventory), similar to how there are run modifiers for extra iron, no monsters and so on.

[Nei]

That could help, maybe also a modifier to start with some random unlocked technology that would steer you in some direction from the start.

Or maybe something completely new, some new item, or something ro do with the terrain/dome that has a bunch of variety and is mainly significant in the early game. I don't really have a concrete idea for anything, but something would be nice.

I want to look forward to new games and trying new things, rather than dreading them. I'd say the repetitive part is not an insignificant part of the game either, especially due to how the start drags, it's quite a decent chunk of each run.

I've played a bunch of tower defense games in the past, and although I really do enjoy the runs after this initial segment, for me personally the beginnings of a Dome Keeper run have probably felt the most repetitive out of any tower defense I've played. It just makes me not wanna play, I don't feel motivated to start a new game, which is a shame as I have still have many things to unlock and explore and I do end up really enjoying it after suffering through the chore of the early game.

[Arc]

Modifiers would have the same issue all mods, all but 1 difficulty, all but 1 world size all have: You can't access literally any of them in the challenges, which is most of the game.

[Osprey]

Originally posted by Arc:

Modifiers would have the same issue all mods, all but 1 difficulty, all but 1 world size all have: You can't access literally any of them in the challenges, which is most of the game.

I didn't realize that. I play pretty much nothing but Relic Hunt. Still, at least a modifier would work with that, so anyone who wants it enough could stick to that mode.

[Nei]

Originally posted by Osprey:

Originally posted by Arc:

Modifiers would have the same issue all mods, all but 1 difficulty, all but 1 world size all have: You can't access literally any of them in the challenges, which is most of the game.

I didn't realize that. I play pretty much nothing but Relic Hunt. Still, at least a modifier would work with that, so anyone who wants it enough could stick to that mode.

Yeah, it would help with that at least, but I think it would need a more proper solution that works for the whole of the game

[Samseng Yik]

Only thing I hope is can use in guild assignment is the
"wave cycle is 100% longer"
"Wave strength is double"

Because the most majority annoying gameplay time is moving up and down.
Cutting the travel frequency lower and make the fight more enjoyable

[Nei]

Originally posted by Samseng Yik:

Only thing I hope is can use in guild assignment is the
"wave cycle is 100% longer"
"Wave strength is double"

Because the most majority annoying gameplay time is moving up and down.
Cutting the travel frequency lower and make the fight more enjoyable

Yeah, I kinda agree with that. You can get the remote base control and if you have the assessor or elevator, you can stay in the mines, but I've only gotten that dome technology once, and you don't get them early game...