Is the lack of an end game hurting FT?
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2022 5:03 pm
I'll give my personal sense about this. I think the answer is yes.
Normally when we think of a game having an ending we conclude that after that is achieved players will move on to other games. Perhaps so. But if the experience was gratifying and fun along the way that encourages playing it again perhaps as a different character or class perhaps, or a challenge to finish faster or rank higher than before.
When there isn't any true ending though even if intermediate challenges are met and won eventually you are left with a constant redo of game mechanics growing in level yes but never closer to that satisfaction of saying 'I won!' Up to this point I have made the game have endurance for me by making my own little kingdom of accts with different characters. But when these characters stare at the prospect of walking in the steps of those who have gone before only to meet the same impasse of no 'I win' ending point the impetus to go on is severely strained.
Don't misunderstand me. I have very much enjoyed this game. I have enjoyed the freedom of expression on this forum. I have enjoyed making friends both near and far. But there is a point where the 2nd, and 3rd and 4th verse of the FT song is so much like the first that it's charm is replaced by a dutiful agenda to accomplish something. If Gullander were to retire now she would feel as if there were something out there she never had a chance of completing, and in spite of all the accomplishments and her extended alt family she has cared for, she will ever feel she has failed in her FT quest. Evil mages have not yet been vanquished and although once proclaimed a hero for her work with the artifact more than 2000 levels ago she knows the land lies in ruin and a path to a final victory was never found. That is an underlying pain and regret as the goal of any game is to win! True there is much also to be gained in the struggle and camaraderie of playing but I am reminded we enter this game quite alone in the woods and as someone out of time we quickly learn of the great quest for the silver sword to undo much of the evil plaguing this fair land. I fear we live and die as but another generation committed to a goal forever beyond our reach. That reality in my opinion hurts FT and perhaps another abbreviation ought to be added, FT meets FE , the Forgotten Ending.
Normally when we think of a game having an ending we conclude that after that is achieved players will move on to other games. Perhaps so. But if the experience was gratifying and fun along the way that encourages playing it again perhaps as a different character or class perhaps, or a challenge to finish faster or rank higher than before.
When there isn't any true ending though even if intermediate challenges are met and won eventually you are left with a constant redo of game mechanics growing in level yes but never closer to that satisfaction of saying 'I won!' Up to this point I have made the game have endurance for me by making my own little kingdom of accts with different characters. But when these characters stare at the prospect of walking in the steps of those who have gone before only to meet the same impasse of no 'I win' ending point the impetus to go on is severely strained.
Don't misunderstand me. I have very much enjoyed this game. I have enjoyed the freedom of expression on this forum. I have enjoyed making friends both near and far. But there is a point where the 2nd, and 3rd and 4th verse of the FT song is so much like the first that it's charm is replaced by a dutiful agenda to accomplish something. If Gullander were to retire now she would feel as if there were something out there she never had a chance of completing, and in spite of all the accomplishments and her extended alt family she has cared for, she will ever feel she has failed in her FT quest. Evil mages have not yet been vanquished and although once proclaimed a hero for her work with the artifact more than 2000 levels ago she knows the land lies in ruin and a path to a final victory was never found. That is an underlying pain and regret as the goal of any game is to win! True there is much also to be gained in the struggle and camaraderie of playing but I am reminded we enter this game quite alone in the woods and as someone out of time we quickly learn of the great quest for the silver sword to undo much of the evil plaguing this fair land. I fear we live and die as but another generation committed to a goal forever beyond our reach. That reality in my opinion hurts FT and perhaps another abbreviation ought to be added, FT meets FE , the Forgotten Ending.
i can't wait for new story 
