I think one of the main components of repeatable content is the connection with the game Lore. Such as Raids, Dungeons, and Scenarios on MoP had some relevant content in regards of storytelling such as the ones from Lorewalker Cho in that library building at the Vale (forgot the name). Every dungeon and raid has a unique storyline behind it, before or after unlocking it, or with quests inside. The Islands… you just queue and go. It seems just a waste of potential, as they have pretty visuals.
I think you’re on to something.
I myself have thought several times, “Expeditions to these islands for Azerite is a waste.” Some of them seem strategically placed – like a base there could help fight the other Faction. Others seem like you might find relics of the Titans there that could be of use against Azshara or the Old Gods (or the other Faction).
But nah we’re just there for Azerite. Nevermind that ancient troll monument nobody’s ever seen before. That’s totally not some new loa. Nothing to see here!
They have lore attached to them, if you read the quest items that drop lot of them reveal things that could become later content.
To be honest with the whole faction war going on it really makes me wish blizzard would revamp certain old zones as well as establish bases for the factions on some of these islands.
Havenswood should definitely be visited by alliance/gilneas. Tol barad should really be reclaimed by the alliance especially with kul tiras back in the fold. Tol barad is a good halfway port between the EK and kul tiras.
Crestfall is an upcoming announced island in 8.2. Crestfall was a map in Wc2 that saw a huge battle between the horde and alliance. We will see the remains of the battlefield and the bombed out bases for both factions. Personally I think they should take it and instead make it a new battleground.
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It wasn’t in the vale, it was in the Jade Forest if it’s the one I’m thinking of. And the instance was Temple of the Jade Serpent.
Islands offer no lore, no story, no secrets, no adventure, no challenge, no real reward other than rng for completing it versus a reward for actually doing something honorable. Also, you will lose if you decide to go adventuring and exploring because Esports income for blizzard.
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Tell me about it! There was so much room for exploration activiies, storytelling, maybe some short cinematics or stuff like Archaeology …incentives to other professions.
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“Pick the person in your group with the best gear and follow him around killing stuff as fast as possible without looking at anything” isn’t terribly engaging gameplay. Also, I don’t do the quest for X island azerite per week because the perk of not raiding progression anymore is not doing random no fun grinds.
However, I’m not really sure if they are randomly generated maps that are variations in a theme or set maps or whatever… the whole thing is so very stacked against exploring that I have no idea. The rewards of anything other than azerite are very infrequent and before the new vendor that sells pets for the doubloons the ship’s vendor didn’t have anything that seemed worth the bother of using the extra action button. The whole idea of the expeditions as currently existing just says “meh”.
‘Lore’?
You mean whatever retcon Blizzard comes up with, to try to justify wrecking this once-lovely game even further?
Flips hair
It’s not super thick lore but it’s more along the lines of “alliance/horde heroes set out to salvage more azerite for their faction”.