Anthony Obilor
Insider
Alot of your post should really be hidden under spoiler. Also I think using a guide in an exploration game to tell you where keys are is a total game ruiner for me. Also the fact that you call it "grinding" means you play alot of mainstream games where enemies are just mobs meant for you to fight and get further. The game is not grinding you, you as a player are put in a situation and can use whatever way you can to get past, whether combat, stealth, fooling dumb undead. Also you just beat on the easiest enemies in the game, not human npcs but undead that do not parry or block.
I as a veteran always start a new game from level one on each patch update, between patches I play arena and finish the campaign about 2-3 times so I don't burn out. The game is not supposed to be a breeze at the start, you died, when you die in this game you start at the beginning or at a checkpoint. Keeping your "gear" (honestly this phrase and grinding makes me think of mmos and I feel you may be trying to compare how other games handle progress) would completely ruin the atmosphere of the beginning. You are meant to be vulnerable but more careful till you are properly geared up or unless you are confident in your skills, starting "safe" is not the way I want to play this game. Have you noticed everyone has said they see your point that yes it would be less frustrating and probably easier but no one has agreed with you on this point. The aim isnt to finish the game, they are building an experience, you dont need to explore everywhere, The maps also have different routes that lead to the same place, and when even more dynamic npcs come in we will see the game change on each playthrough. On a playthrough maybe you find a looter in a room, on another maybe you find his body somewhere killed by an undead.
I as a veteran always start a new game from level one on each patch update, between patches I play arena and finish the campaign about 2-3 times so I don't burn out. The game is not supposed to be a breeze at the start, you died, when you die in this game you start at the beginning or at a checkpoint. Keeping your "gear" (honestly this phrase and grinding makes me think of mmos and I feel you may be trying to compare how other games handle progress) would completely ruin the atmosphere of the beginning. You are meant to be vulnerable but more careful till you are properly geared up or unless you are confident in your skills, starting "safe" is not the way I want to play this game. Have you noticed everyone has said they see your point that yes it would be less frustrating and probably easier but no one has agreed with you on this point. The aim isnt to finish the game, they are building an experience, you dont need to explore everywhere, The maps also have different routes that lead to the same place, and when even more dynamic npcs come in we will see the game change on each playthrough. On a playthrough maybe you find a looter in a room, on another maybe you find his body somewhere killed by an undead.