[frefaln]

Luclin was such a depressing expansion. So many big, big zones with nobody in them. Whereas the original cities and Cabilis were atmospheric and well-designed, Shadowhaven was depressingly empty. It was merely an annoying zone to trudge through on the way to Paludal Caverns. Speaking of which, Paludal gets my vote as the one zone that represents the transition from "good EQ" to "spoiled brat instant gratification EQ". Everybody went to Paludal in their late teens to skyrocket to their late 20s in the course of one afternoon. Any other zone in Paludal's level range was instantly obsolete, and thus was born the new status quo: a majority of players following a linear path to the fastest exp instead of enjoying a variety of atmospheric zones.

There was one Luclin zone I liked a lot: Dawnshroud Peaks. Grieg's was sort of fun too, I guess.

And of course, all this goes without mentioning the Bazaar, which rivals the PoK books as the most destructive element in Live's detour into the toilet.