POE 2 Act 2 needs a change

Hello, this is the first time I make a thread here, but after playing the game with enough characters and getting to the endgame, I have to say that, in my opinion, the weakest part of the campaign is Act 2, and I think I know why, many players probably do too, and have probably said this before, but I believe it is important to still say it, there are too many large claustrophobic maps there, and there doesnt seem to be a big empty desert area, as is to be expected when you play an RPG with a desert zone, for example, the Keth and Deshar maps are exactly the type of clunky, and claustrophobic maps im talking about, not only that but they are pretty big too, on top of that, there are 3 ENTIRE MAPS for both Keth and Deshar, two of which are pretty much the same map for both areas, it takes too long to get to the boss in both areas and are always the places I look forward to the least whenever I play the campaign again, I understand the extra maps are there to make sure the player gets a certain level progression and doesnt end up underleveled, but I think Act 2 would benefit greatly from cutting out 1 map from both Deshar and Keth, and instead adding a big open desert sandbox where the players can run wild in, as opposed to wasting time in completing 2 other closed off maps, and heck maybe it can be used from another gameplay perspective, the Ardura caravan is a cool idea and all, but maybe making this map be connected to the horn fetch quest could make the act more memorable, instead of making you choose where to go from the caravan, like with the other areas, have all three areas be connected by another hub area, because act 2 is different in that regard from the other two acts, in the other two acts the areas are connected to each other and have a sense of exploration that feels great, but in act 2 you just finish an area, go to the caravan, choose another area, rinse and repeat, they become chores if anything, and I feel that it disrupts the flow of the game a bit, Im curious to know if other players feel the same way I do about Act 2.

So I agree with some of what you say here but I am completely opposite in opinion. I think the maps are too damn small actually. Keth is like literally the only classuc desert env moment and you are basically putting that behind you in 30 minutes MAX. A lot of maps feel very small actually to me and the moment passes so fast for each one.

I will add that I think the Hyenna boss is presented far too soon to block players from the Caravan literally just after a lot of new players prob just finished the struggle of beating Geonor.

Its like YAY I got to Act 2 FINALLY!! Wait now this boss?

Once you play POE2 enough what I deacribe is a non issue but on first play through I prob uninstalled the game at least 3 times on Geonor. So I got a bad taste in my mouth for the Hyenna.

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rhalbhub#0570 wrote:

So I agree with some of what you say here but I am completely opposite in opinion. I think the maps are too damn small actually. Keth is like literally the only classuc desert env moment and you are basically putting that behind you in 30 minutes MAX. A lot of maps feel very small actually to me and the moment passes so fast for each one.

I will add that I think the Hyenna boss is presented far too soon to block players from the Caravan literally just after a lot of new players prob just finished the struggle of beating Geonor.

Its like YAY I got to Act 2 FINALLY!! Wait now this boss?

Once you play POE2 enough what I deacribe is a non issue but on first play through I prob uninstalled the game at least 3 times on Geonor. So I got a bad taste in my mouth for the Hyenna.

But thats the problem, they are Maggots lair tier and are annoying to go through, to me they probably seem big because of how tedious they are idk, I am also specifically talking about the 2 underground Keth maps, not the upper Keth, and for Deshar im talking about the two spire maps, not the ground Deshar map, an open area map with no obstacles like giant boulders, trees and buildings is something thats missing from the campaign, and yeah, the Hyenna boss is also pretty annoying now that I think about it, Act 3 is more merciful with you when you start the act

Of all the reasons you could've came up with and this is what you got?

I see.

I would agree on the big open areas as well. D4 did this and I enjoyed that. Big open overworld areas allows a lot of player event type of things too.

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EmoSephirothUchiha#5710 wrote:

Of all the reasons you could've came up with and this is what you got?

Wait what? Why would I have to come up with more, I gave my opinion on Act 2 already, and youre free to agree with it, or not. I also might not agree with what youre saying, but thats fine, theres no accounting for taste, and besides, maybe there are other reasons for why I dont enjoy Act 2 more, but im not a game designer, so all I can go on is my own experience with the game

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EmoSephirothUchiha#5710 wrote:

Of all the reasons you could've came up with and this is what you got?

Oh wait, nvm, I just came up with something else, there are no optional areas or maps in Act 2, the other acts had optional areas that didnt follow the main quest, but in Act 2, you ONLY HAVE the main quest, besides the Trial of Sekhemas, dont know if thats relevant tho

My favourite thing about act 1 is right as you leave town for the first time. You have 3 options: go get the devourer, find the frost witch, or push into grelwood maybe finding the abandoned camp along the way. I think it feels meaningful because the bosses are optional, but also in close proximity to each other. It wouldn't take too long to get back to them from maps if you skip them.

I agree that act 2 doesn't feel that way at all. First of all, the map of the area is unreadable. You don't have a choice which boss to do it feels like. Plus sense of discovery is ruined because the caravan just drives you around. I think the caravan should just take you places without you having to use the map, we're going to every spot anyway

Act2 is intentionnally different but I disagree that it need more open space, there's already enough open space in the game already. I'm fine with act2 personally, everyone has a less favorite act in ARPGs.