[quote]We knew Eramis was evil, thats about it; use stasis to stop her. Training arc to control new power. We knew Calus was evil, thats about it: use strand to stop him. Training arc to control new power.[/quote] Big difference between these two. Beyond Light actually does a far better job introducing a new subclass because of how it’s actually relevant to the narrative. Unlike Strand where it’s a new power we just so happen to develop so we can combat the light suppression tech of the Shadow Legion, Stasis bleeds through the narrative as an element of Darkness. We’re shown through Variks how this power has actively corrupted Eramis, twisting her better intentions back towards hatred and vengeance to the detriment of her people. The Exo Stranger then shows us that this force is not inherently evil and can be wielded for good. There’s also the fact that it breaks the illusion that allying with the Darkness may be a path forward for humanity as some had suggested within this very forum. We see that whatever entity speaks to us is equally as willing to arm the Fallen with Stasis as us, viewing both sides as merely disposable pawns. Contrast that Strand, where it’s a new ability that will help us against Calus and the Witness. That’s it. There’s no prior history of Strand because we’re the first to discover it, it has no affiliation with the Witness. There’s no reaction to this discovery from our enemies. Edit: That’s not to say Beyond Light is a misunderstood masterpiece. I just think if it had come out under the new 8-mission legendary campaign system it would’ve been up there. There’s a solid foundation there, unlike Lightfall.

[quote]I mean yeah - we've spent nearly two years building up to the Witness and his plan, gathering friends from different races to prepare for some massive battle, just to be slung into, "hey guys, the Witness is here! We have 0 idea of his plan with this artifact that we keep telling you is important, but we actually do know his plan. Stop him, before it's to late!". I hate dlcs that tie into some new game mechanic. Strand and Stasis BLEED this. Both of them completely overtake the narrative they were made to sell, and leaves the narrative with absolutely no development. We knew Eramis was evil, thats about it; use stasis to stop her. Training arc to control new power. We knew Calus was evil, thats about it: use strand to stop him. Training arc to control new power. Witch Queen was such a success because they spent time to build into the narrative, and then set the stakes of what was happening. No brand new mechanical element to learn, just things expanded upon. The Final Shape is setting the same bar that Witch Queen did, so hopefully something pulls through, but I doubt it.[/quote] I agree, I enjoyed Strand (I have not played Beyond Light) but I didn't care for how disjointed it made Lightfall being like "WE NEED TO STOP CALUS" to "hey let's go meditate by some waterfalls and ponder the meaning of the universe". Also I felt like Calus was less interesting in Lightfall than he is previously. Before he was serving himself, that's his character. In Lightfall he's just a boring lackey of the Witness, doing what it wants because it told him too.