This game has so much potential for role play and immersionā¦.
We need small things that breathe life into towns.
As said before - npcās small talks.
Maybe some buff for players that eat attribute food in tavern.
Standing reputation for drinking in tavern.
Increased exp for playing music in band there.
Npc,s that play music or tell stories for all
Guests, like in TESO.
If doesnāt help just add a couple of naked elves.
I donāt agree that the world itself feels dead. The graphic and sound design, and the way mobs, specially animals, have been distributed, makes the world feel very much alive. What was the last MMORPG were you could run through a forest and suddenly see a deer or a stag run away in front of you ? I only have one other game in mind with the feeling of āthe huntā, it was Ultima Online. All other MMORPGs have canned spawns which feel not natural.
Towns need improvements. And they get some in the next patch already. But selling drinks, and giving bonuses to music in taverns, that would bring players together in those wasted places.
Because NPCās were given literally no depth & purpose. Just quest givers that become empty husks to be forever forgotten in the sea of missed opportunity.
Itās been a complaint since beta. There also needs to be mini-games you can play at the tables. Simple card games or domino-type games would be a good start.
It would be a great place for special or unique buffs. I played Vindictus in the past and it had a really cool feature called the hot springs where players could drop powerful timed buffs and share them with anyone who uses the hot spring (bathes in it).