Brighter Shores Developer Addresses Player Concerns Regarding Leveling System Controversy

Concerns Arise Over Brighter Shores Leveling System

Andrew Gower, lead developer of Brighter Shores, has addressed growing player concerns regarding the game’s leveling system, which has sparked considerable debate within the community.

Unique Leveling Mechanics

In contrast to games like Runescape, Brighter Shores implements a soft-reset mechanism for combat professions and gear each time players transition to a new episode or zone. Importantly, while combat stats from previous episodes are retained, players are introduced to a new set of professions that complement those from earlier episodes.

Reassurance from the Developer

Gower reassured the community by stating, “There is definitely no wipe,” confirming that players’ progression in their initial professions remains intact. To continue advancing their prior professions, players can visit Hopeport for further opportunities.

this is very misleading, your stats are NOT wiped ever! When you go to the next episode there is a new set of professions to enjoy (including a new combat profession), but that’s in ADDITION to your episode 1 profession ls which are always kept and are still progressable and…

— Andrew Gower (@AndrewCGower) November 6, 2024

Mixed Reactions from Players

Despite Gower’s explanations, many players remain critical of the game’s innovative leveling system. One user on the Brighter Shores Reddit page shared their thoughts: “Some professions being limited to an episode makes sense… However, combat should be universal. It doesn’t make sense to begin the next episode with my HP being reduced.”

Additional feedback similarly expressed frustration over the perceived redundancy of new chapter skills that closely mimic their predecessors. “It’s just pointless to have the same skill of a different area named something else,” lamented one player, pointing out a disconnect between effort and rewards.

This sentiment echoes among the community, as players express disappointment when transitioning to new areas without tangible benefits for their prior efforts.

Brighter Shores combat screen — Fen Research

Some Players Appreciate the Reset System

Nevertheless, a segment of the player base views the episode resets positively. A user noted, “Older zones like HopePort would become quite trivial regarding combat,” contending that a soft reset prevents early game content from becoming obsolete as players progress.

This sentiment suggests a broader issue found in many RPGs, including Runescape, where players often neglect lower-level areas once they outgrow them.

The Future of Brighter Shores

As Brighter Shores continues to evolve, there remains a wealth of content to discover, including the highly anticipated addition of PvP features that are currently absent from the game. The ongoing dialogue between developers and players will likely shape the game’s direction.

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