Upon launch the realm system became too linear and non varied. The initial interest in the realmic transmuter abilities has waned and now feels more a gimmick than an actual mechanic of the game. The initial realm system (alpha tests) made the game more varied and probided for more than the quick 20hr rush to endgame that currently exists. Finding realm cards and playing the point system led to more interest in actual realm travel. What will this combo of cards hold when I step through, will i get a quest giver, what cards/materials/difficulty can i find, etc. I hate to be that guy but it seems the game style during testing was incredible and brought a ton of hype/interest to an AAA level indie game...but on launch the studio pulled the old bait and switch for a much dumbed down version to rush people through a very linear lets wrap this up and hit endgame money grab. Dont get me wrong this game has tons of potential still, but only if expanded and the interest and randomness of realm travel is brought back.
I 100% agree with everything you said here. I want to open realms where I have no idea what's wanting until I step foot into it. Let me have to find new realm cards by exploring them. Let there be crazy randomness factor. Maybe there is a small chance the realm is unstable, and I have a limited amount of time to explore.
They should also add the minor cards into the realms and let them be random what gets applied. Give me the option to play 5 cards together where I would have no idea what would even open. Let me have to discover what a card does by needing to open a realm with that card applied.
Its a big, missed opportunity and the main reason why I stopped playing. Realms just never felt unique or fun to go through after the first three biomes. It all just felt the same but a higher level.