Ignoring the argument about time better spent (which I agree with, I see little genuine benefit to the crafting options, just a way to have generated more grind).
Otherwise, seems to be good so far (controversial eh).
The visuals are slightly better, haven't been on a planet much.
I like the re-done combat related AI. I've yet to be interdicted by some pleb in a Viper whilst I'm in my Python. So for example, my last run last night was 172tons of goods over 5 jumps. Was given warning on leaving the spaceport that there was news that I was most probably going to be interdicted, and sure enough, I was, but only the once, and this time by a good NPC in an Anaconda. Makes sense bearing in mind my rank and what I'm flying. Managed to lose the Ana whilst he was trying to interdict me and never had another issue. Brought some genuine "danger" to the game.
From what I've seen, FD have clearly made the game "dangerous", but in a controlled manner. If you wander around in anarchy systems, or assuming that you should be still able to walk all over NPCs, then there's no wonder people are losing ships.
I saw a thread opened by a guy on the forums, complaining about losing his Python. Turned out that he was using a "trade" build Python, i.e. standard hull, no re-enforcements, and was jumped by a pair of good pilots, both in FAS. I've got to ask, why didn't he do the sensible thing and RUN AWAY. A FAS is a tough ship at the best of times. Trying to take on a pair when you're in the wrong ship is just suicide.
Above all, it looks like it simply requires a bit of a re-think of strategies
Personally I took out some little ships first to see what the deal was, so as to minimise potential losses if things really were as bad as made out, and have then worked up from there. No ship losses yet, though I certainly am not going to pick a fight in a loaded transport ship.
Did take out my FAS for a spin last night. This time just to a Nav beacon, again to understand the score. Rather enjoyed it as the enemies were still not a complete pushover.
So my take is:
- Some nice bits have been added, i.e. visuals, traffic control
- Engineers/crafting. Err, so what. I'm guessing I'll do it along the way, but it's not that important to me.
- Missions. I like the updated mission board. Big improvement from my perspective and they "feel" better, just more immersive
- Danger. I like the updated danger factor. Before it was fairly straightforward to just meander around "space truckin". The AI update genuinely adds that danger back in and removes the complacency that previously existed, as you knew that most interdictions were from ships that you knew weren't a genuine threat.
This I see as being the point most complained about, i.e. by players who simply can't adapt, but hey, that's me being controversial.
