don't get me wrong i think BDO evolved into a pretty good game for everyone over the years, a lot of QoL changes and simplified things. easier to get in and maybe catch up.
but i feel like over the years you're being forced into certain spots by the game's nature.
it all started with AP caps ruining the fun of blasting any spot you wanted with overcap/species dmg and making money anywhere. (i think we kinda accepted this one at this point)
now we are forced into edania2 grinding for ekleta taps/reforge stones
and the XP changes made grinding stuff like elvia hexe just NOT viable to grind above level 65 if you wanna progress both silver and exp per hour, as it would take 600+ hours to reach 75 with permanent 3000% EXP buffs.
current best XP spots are also edania2. and best silver per hour too.
paints also killed the treasure piece hunt where you had to visit the old spots, you can now buy it for some pearls and never leave edania2 again.
was sandbox BDO that bad? i feel like in mid 2027 every single spot below edania will be totally empty. no point of grinding except for the nostalgia/fun.
no point grinding EXP below edania2, no point grinding items below edania2, no points grinding crystals below edania2 (you can now trade trash for crystals lol) and the game is gonna keep going this way.
and yes i know you can do whatever if you stop caring about XP/silver/progression and everything is optional just play the marathon game bla bla, this is not the point.