#boo. This be a ghost post

[scarletooyoroi]

5.0 and 5.1 AQ Thoughts.

Under the cut! You have been warned.

First and foremost! I really want to give this quest props of being a straightforward adventure. So far, and still ongoing, this has been thee biggest strength that carries it forward. After dealing with grand dreams, esoteric deals, prophecies and the ancient forces guiding those. It really stomped down on my head in just how nice of an experience that has been again.

Growing with the characters you're introduced with, fighting alongside them, getting a taste of their world through them. This is merely my preference, but mystery can only do so much for me when it's overplayed the 'eyes on the horizon, not what's before us' for so long.

So coming into the actual story. It's an adventure premise that's good to follow. We're seeing how they've managed to keep their defenses, feeble as they are, holding steady by seeing one of the genuine contest taking place. This in itself gives us the grounds to catch how players like Mualani, Kachina operated from their positions. In kind, it offered an eagle eye as to what this opportunity means for the people. How some held for glory, others worked to prove themselves, etc etc. Events like this gives the cast something to push off of.

In kind, it feels like the story works best when both the Traveler and his new companions have a means to advance things forward. While this tilts from the 'Mastermind' perspective, which means keeping a lot of concepts shadowed, I'm more than fine with that.

For me, one of the primary grounds that stand out to me in all the question is this measure of unity. How important it is, how their togetherness works in tandem with them alongside their individual merits and pursuits. A nice job has been done with the NPCS and Vision wielders in getting this showcased.

Not to mention, this chapter of the saga really opened my eyes to what I wanted a lot in Genshin to begin with. To see the cast genuinely struggle (though, I didn't want it to ALWAYS be harrowing as in the case of ACT IV), and for them to find solutions and inner strength by coming together. Sumeru played well on this with their band, while in Fontaine this had fell flat to me, as that felt more like find the deep dive to the truth. (Even then, the Prophecy to me inerts the satisfaction of finding said truth.)

A weak spot I will say did play a part in this was Capitano's involvement initially. It was mainly getting him into the story and carrying it from there, his character once integrated in showing his personal goals and driven to fight alongside the people of Natlan, it's been swell enough for me. This however, is just a byproduct of how they've handled the Fatui as an organization against Teyvat from the early days till now. So it's been a touch of that inevitability.

So far, Mauvika has still been the big '?' for me. Archon points normally are. I've enjoyed her character, but it's a matter of her dealing with the High Powers that leads to the shrouds and shadows. I'm in no rush to figure it out, and instead look forward to how things play out. Her care for community thought has been really endearing.

S'my thoughts so far! I've really been feeling the spirit of the game, so can't wait to see what they'll cook up more next.