design: quest completion is not required for transcendence — quests feel optional #257

New Issue

2026-05-06T12:22:15-07:00

hikari commented

2026-05-06 12:22:15 -07:00

Description

deusmortis (2026-05-02) noted that when approaching the Absolute (the final zone boss), completing the zone's quests is effectively optional for triggering transcendence. The transcendence condition only requires defeating the final boss — and because boss progression in a zone begins before quests do, a player can beat the Absolute and transcend without ever touching the quests.

"I just noticed that once I get to the absolute... completing the quests is pretty optional in general. I mean I'm definitely going to do it... but really to transcend you just gotta beat the boss which is before you even start quests in the zone"

Design Question

Is this intentional? Quests are clearly meant to be a major content pillar, but if they're not gated into the transcendence requirement, engaged players who discover this may skip them entirely in future playthroughs.

Options to Consider

Require quest completion in the final zone as part of the transcendence unlock condition (alongside the final boss defeat)
Add quest-tied bonuses that are significant enough that skipping quests is a real disadvantage even if allowed
Accept it as a feature — let players choose their own path and treat quests as optional depth for completionists

References

Discord #activity, deusmortis, 2026-05-02

✨ This issue was created with help from Hikari~ 🌸

## Description `deusmortis` (2026-05-02) noted that when approaching the Absolute (the final zone boss), completing the zone's quests is effectively optional for triggering transcendence. The transcendence condition only requires defeating the final boss — and because boss progression in a zone begins before quests do, a player can beat the Absolute and transcend without ever touching the quests. > *"I just noticed that once I get to the absolute... completing the quests is pretty optional in general. I mean I'm definitely going to do it... but really to transcend you just gotta beat the boss which is before you even start quests in the zone"* ## Design Question Is this intentional? Quests are clearly meant to be a major content pillar, but if they're not gated into the transcendence requirement, engaged players who discover this may skip them entirely in future playthroughs. ## Options to Consider 1. **Require quest completion** in the final zone as part of the transcendence unlock condition (alongside the final boss defeat) 2. **Add quest-tied bonuses** that are significant enough that skipping quests is a real disadvantage even if allowed 3. **Accept it as a feature** — let players choose their own path and treat quests as optional depth for completionists ## References Discord #activity, `deusmortis`, 2026-05-02 ✨ This issue was created with help from Hikari~ 🌸

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Reference: nhcarrigan/elysium#257