Shoudu Province is so damn annoying to navigate.

[Guth]

Is there any reason why every single location requires a tricky path to access? Going to every single point of interest that isn't on the docks requires a journey around a winding path and its just really annoying. For example, the people blocking the chest rooms for Sky Arena. Why can't I just Ibex up to them from the ground? What is the gameplay purpose in making me find a way onto the roof to then drop down onto every single one of them?

[River Running Games]

The answer might be a bit disappointing, but it's to add a different feeling/emotion to the region. I find that varying how different areas are navigated can make them feel distinct, and make new areas feel foreign/dangerous. This region specifically has the identity of being the most complex region in the game, which is meant to give it a suffocating feeling while you're exploring it, but I can see how it becomes annoying once you've already conquered the area and are just trying to get around to collect everything.

[darien]

Originally posted by River Running Games:

The answer might be a bit disappointing, but it's to add a different feeling/emotion to the region. I find that varying how different areas are navigated can make them feel distinct, and make new areas feel foreign/dangerous. This region specifically has the identity of being the most complex region in the game, which is meant to give it a suffocating feeling while you're exploring it, but I can see how it becomes annoying once you've already conquered the area and are just trying to get around to collect everything.

You did successfully give the zone the feeling you were looking for. I often found myself feeling claustrophobic or smothered in Shoudu, to the point where I almost felt like it was a relief to go down to the sewers instead. :-)

[OhSoLucky!]

If I wanted to navigate via a series of different coloured hallways instead of having to explore, I would play literally any other JRPG.