AMA Answers - Metroidvania?

Maybe I have this wrong, but as it stands now, according to this answer from the AMA, that instead of an "open-world", nay, "open-universe" game, we're getting some sort of pseudo-Metroidvania type game.

"The current 10 tiers of gameplay will all play out on the same Starmap, with each tier introducing hazards that can only be overcome by progressing through the previous tier"

Am I reading this wrong? Or did this game just switch from open-world to locked-tiered world?

Was this always the plan? Cuz if so, I was definitely not on the same page when I bought Starbound.

I can't say I'm too happy with this, guys n gals..... someone please correct me! Tell me I'm wrong!

 

It was always locked tiered world.

 

That's because it says nowhere that it was supposed to be an open-world game. More like a game with sandbox elements (while not being a true sandbox game like Gmod)

Read the About page.

 

So basically it's just like the game is now? Except instead of the sectors just being locked arbitrarily, there's going to be specific obstacles that need tech (or whatever) to progress past them. I'd need something more specific to make a real judgement but it already sounds a little better than what we have currently.

 

There's still going to be millions of planets to visit for every sector/tier, so i can see where people can think that starbound is/will be open-world in the truest definition of the word..

 

Wow, here I am... the *only* person in the entire starbound-populace who would ever be so silly as to think Starbound was going for open-universe.

 

Well, this would sadly be the pattern for most games coming out these days. I actually get surprised when I come across one that isn't gated.

 

I think it really depends on what your perception of open-universe actually was. Most of this thread seems to be ignoring that for some coming into this game, they were expecting something more akin to a creative mode kind of universe sim, or something more open-ended in the vein of vanilla Minecraft.

Also, people tend to be rather cruel and whether realising it or not, very much looking for a way to confirm that their views are correct and to willingly stigmatise incorrect information for their own self-satisfaction and affirmation of their world-view.

Moving on, the original pitch for the game was largely described as something akin to Terraria, if it was sci-fi based and the concept of a procedurally generated universe that you can go to and explore on each world, free to adventure, explore, build, create and basically live, all based around a 2D block and metroidvania hybrid gameplay engine.

If you were looking for a creative mode free for all, then I'm sorry for the lack of communication on the part of the informational pages and the community. In general, I'm sorry that this community likely about to be so hostile to you. Those things said, I don't think that the game is purely a progression based vertical timesink either. All the elements of a creative game are present here, so it can totally be an open world game where you just go and do things for NPCs, explore, build and whatnot. The new post gives us something for every kind of player. Progression here largely just means that you have to work to earn your tools to shape the universe around you, playing along with the rules of that universe, rather than being an omnipotent entity, or rather than the game simply being completely directionless.

 

this is one of the best, most thoughtful posts I've read on here. Thread closed.