Love the raid, don’t enjoy contest mode (Destiny)

by CruelLEGACEY , Toronto, Tuesday, May 25, 2021, 06:52 (1282 days ago) @ Robot Chickens

I’ll get the contest mode gripe out of the way first: I like the fact that an extra challenging version of the raid with a prestigious reward exists on day 1, but I think “normal mode” should also be active and selectable. Let the sweats and the streamers go hard with challenge mode, and let everyone else who just wants to enjoy the raid go into normal mode.

That out of the way, VoG is still a fantastic raid. The updated visuals are gorgeous, and the loot is exciting. There’s an atmosphere of mystery and exploration that no other raid matches, IMO.

Regarding the updated mechanics: I’m torn. At first glance, all the changes seem fine or even good. But my concern is that they’ve pushed VoG into the same callout-heavy direction that many subsequent raids have gone, and in my experience that has a negative impact on the long-term enjoyment factor of a raid. I’m of the belief that the first few times through a raid should be an exciting challenge, but at a certain point they work best as a fun way to socialize with friends while chasing sweet loot. Raids like the original VoG, Crota, Scourge of the Past, and Deep Stone Crypt all work beautifully in this regard. They’re just simple and loose enough that an experienced raid group can relax a bit, chat and laugh together in between callouts. But when raids become too mechanically ornate and callout-heavy (Last Wish, King’s Fall, Crown of Sorrow, Spire of Stars), the simple need to keep comms clear for vital callouts reduces the ability to socialize as a group. It makes completing the raid the first time feel like a greater accomplishment, but greatly diminishes my desire to repeat it over and over with friends.

It’s way too early for me to know where this new VoG lands on that spectrum. But it certainly requires more callouts than the original version, and I’m not sure I like that, long term.