Games

Meta Report: Fragments of Truth + Personal Update

BBG News

Hello everyone! We’re approaching Snowbreak’s second anniversary with our final update before then. Following the successful launch of Vidya – Celestial Swan, we’ve seen a surge in player support without causing any major issues to the game. This milestone has also brought some exciting news about upcoming operational releases, which I can’t help but share my thoughts on. Additionally, there are some apologies to address for Marian – Riptide and a significant personal announcement. Let’s dive in!

Swan Song

Initially, when Vidya – Celestial Swan’s equipment specifications were introduced, I must confess that it appeared to be something of a mixed blessing. It seemed she would excel in mono-element teams but lack utility everywhere else, given the nature of her setup. However, an interesting turn of events occurred – she became extraordinarily powerful in mono-element teams and remained competent elsewhere. In the worst-case scenario, she was merely a minor step down from Acacia – Kaguya, the previous queen of universal resist shredding; but at her best, she represented a significant upgrade.

As a gamer, I must admit it doesn’t really bother me much. It could be power creep, but let’s break it down. Vidya isn’t some overpowered DPS machine like some might suggest. When you compare her investment scaling with other support operatives, it’s clear she’s not a super-monster. The real issue lies in the fact that Kaguya’s signature weapon has been a game-changer since day one, and no character has come close enough to filling Kaguya’s unique role yet. It’s only fitting that Vidya, our detective extraordinaire, uncovered this hidden advantage.

In summary, Vidya’s performance has significantly improved since her initial lackluster debut in September, and it’s quite impressive. However, the question that arises now is whether she might face Acacia’s curse of not receiving another alternative costume again, given how long it’s been since she last saw a hint of a new exosuit.

Riptide Redemption

Before we start this section, some paperwork is in order.

It’s reasonable to observe that character Marian – Riptide has noticeably improved since her debut. In comparison, at first, she seemed like a less effective version of Enya – Exuvia, with a secondary DPS mechanic that generally resulted in lower damage output compared to keeping your primary DPS active.

It’s clear that things have undergone a transformation. We’ve been introduced to several Skill DPS operatives who don’t fire as part of their routine, making it challenging to maximize Enya’s potential. Among them, Nerida – Styx Envoy stands out. Although she’s not currently a top-tier threat in the meta, she now provides Riptide with a meaningful sub-DPS role. This is significant because she can effectively boost Nerida’s damage and surpass triggers, which were previously major constraints hindering her effectiveness in Neural Sim.

Surely, even under ideal circumstances, her raw boosting power doesn’t reach the peak potential of Enya, and she continues to enhance only basic skill damage. However, she has now discovered a practical role in the meta, undoubtedly deserving a spot among the best characters.

Double Trouble

During this second anniversary’s news updates, one announcement stood out to me. Beginning in November, two new operatives will be rolled out for every patch, with the second operative of each patch being available at no cost, just like Nita – Pulse from the Abyssal Dawn patch.

On the positive side, it’s fantastic! Who doesn’t love freebies? Moreover, the expedited release plan implies that enthusiasts of a particular character won’t need to endure such prolonged waiting periods to witness their favorite characters receiving a fresh alteration.

On the other hand…

Here are two main points: First, the newly introduced operatives will function similarly to Nita – Pulse, with Auctus Drives rather than Manifestation levels. This means players can upgrade these characters for free, which is advantageous. However, it also implies that Seasun may not be as motivated to make these characters exceptionally strong. Second, considering our limited experience of one character (Nita – Pulse), we observed a fascinating concept but somewhat incomplete execution, resulting in a slightly underwhelming performance. Even though gameplay might not be everyone’s primary concern, it is worth pondering: would you prefer to wait for your favorite character to reach its full potential, or are you content with receiving them sooner, albeit in a suboptimal state?

Additionally, one might wonder if Seasun possesses the ability to add an additional operational member per patch without compromising quality? It’s well-known that Seasun often struggles to meet deadlines (they’ve openly acknowledged this in the past), and the consistent release of content that appears rushed, such as Splash Roulette, hints at this ongoing issue. Given their expansion of the development team, one can’t help but question if taking on an extra operational member for each patch might lead to further corners being cut to meet deadlines.

In a slightly skeptical perspective, Seasun doesn’t earn money directly from these operatives because they are free, but they aren’t running a charity either. It’s unlikely they would release a new operative with fresh stories and voice acting every update without expecting some form of compensation for their efforts. The answer lies in the additional items such as outfits, weapon skins, and interactive scenarios that accompany the operative. In essence, these free operatives serve less as significant game content and more as a platform to market cosmetic items. This was evident during Nita’s release, where Seasun seemed comfortable shipping an imperfect product, provided they could offer a cosmetics bundle alongside it for purchase.

It’s possible that the new hires from last year may eventually increase productivity enough to meet deadlines, but there’s also a good chance that more of the game releases with unaddressed issues. If these problems were caught during simple playtesting, they could have been resolved. So, are you comfortable with your favorite character being rushed out in an incomplete state, essentially used as a means to generate revenue from cosmetic upgrades?

Instead of developing entirely new characters or exosuits for everyone, why not focus on creating additional outfits, weapon skins, and interactive scenes for the existing operatives? By doing so, we can still provide fresh content for players who are eager to see their favorite character progress, while also ensuring that our resources are allocated effectively towards maintaining high-quality production. This way, we cater to both gameplay enthusiasts and those who appreciate character development without overextending ourselves.

By the close of the day, much of this is mere conjecture, and I’m merely an outsider peering in. However, with a genuine desire for Snowbreak’s prosperity, I can’t help but express my hope that Seasun takes ample time to ponder whether they’re taking on more than they’re capable of managing.

One Last Dance

Okay, there’s no easy way to say this, so let’s just rip the bandage off.

As Concord Ode and Snowbreak complete their second year, I’m planning to part ways with Snowbreak. This means I won’t write about the game, create any more guides for it, and probably won’t play it much longer either.

I didn’t arrive at this decision casually. Instead, it was something I gave careful consideration to over an extended period, and eventually, I reached this point.

It’s likely many of you recall the more recent event in which I penned an article discussing the current status of the Snowbreak content creator program, and my subsequent removal from the program after refusing to withdraw it. However, this action was not the sole factor behind my decision to depart from Snowbreak. In truth, while I composed the article about the Snowbreak content creator program fully aware of the possible repercussions, being excluded from the program ultimately caused me to take a moment’s pause and reassess my overall feelings towards Snowbreak as a whole.

Over the last two years, I’ve been part of Snowbreak, and it’s been an incredible journey! I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with numerous individuals, forming wonderful friendships along the way. Additionally, I’ve honed my existing skills and acquired new ones while enjoying this fantastic game. Writing about Snowbreak – news updates, guides, and countless articles – has been a dream come true, and I owe it all to your trust and encouragement that made this possible for such an extended period.

It appears that over time, my cherished Snowbreak gameplay experience seems to have evolved in a direction that’s not as appealing to me anymore. The core elements that initially drew me into the game, such as challenging content and creative build theorycrafting, seem to be taking a back seat. Instead, there’s an increased focus on gimmicks and minigames, which feels quite different from what I used to enjoy. My favorite mode, Neural Simulation, has become less thrilling due to less engaging new bosses. Additionally, the current system of having a single patch boss rotate throughout the entirety of the patch has reduced weekly variety, making the experience feel repetitive.

It’s clear that I prioritize gameplay over other aspects in games, and Snowbreak’s shift towards more fanservice and narrative storytelling didn’t particularly grab my attention, whether positively or negatively. However, the gameplay remained my focus. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case as the friends I made while playing Snowbreak gradually left due to disappointment or frustration with the questionable design choices that Seasun was implementing. The arrival of Chenxing – Jade Arc pushed a few people I knew to quit almost immediately due to the power creep it introduced. Eventually, I found myself as one of the last remaining players.

In simpler terms, stepping back made me realize that I found myself mostly alone, uncertain if the game I was playing was still something I truly enjoyed.

Perhaps it feels somewhat self-centered to depart from Snowbreak since it’s no longer enjoyable for me. Yet, as I pondered over my true feelings towards the game, a recurring phrase in our gaming community conversations came to mind – a kind of shared wisdom or motto. In essence, this saying goes something like:

“It’s okay to move on if a game is no longer providing you with the joy it once did.

“If you don’t like the direction that Snowbreak is taking, then you’re free to leave.”

During my tenure with Snowbreak, I’ve been a dedicated proponent for thoughtful game development choices that prioritize the game’s fundamental shooter mechanics, aligning with its roots. Although Snowbreak is marketed as an “RPG shooter game” on online marketplaces, I might need to adjust my stance and follow the general trend. As they say, when in Rome…

In my experience with Snowbreak, I’ve been a strong supporter of prudent gaming design decisions that emphasize its core shooter gameplay. While Snowbreak is labeled as an “RPG shooter game” on online shopping platforms, it might be time for me to conform to the norms.)

Indeed, it seems we’ve reached a conclusion here. The evolution of Snowbreak towards minigames and non-content, departing from its primary gameplay, doesn’t resonate with my preferences. If you find joy in this new direction, then I wholeheartedly wish you many satisfying hours playing Snowbreak. However, it’s not my cup of tea anymore, so I’m moving on.

In essence, it’s high time for me to say my goodbyes, as the situation seems ideal. Previously, I would compile Twitter threads about event details due to delays in Seasun providing global audiences with timely updates. However, recently, Seasun has been keeping pace with CN side, even posting upcoming gameplay previews ahead of patches, which they haven’t done since Mauxir – Shadow Ka over a year and a half ago. I can only hope that the reporting of Snowbreak news will continue to improve under Seasun in the future.

Regarding gameplay analysis, you’ll continue to find assistance from ArchiveRisen. He is an exceptionally skilled and diligent individual, arguably the most intelligent member within the Snowbreak community. I frequently seek his advice for understanding gameplay dynamics, resolving calculation problems, and validating my work. I am confident in his potential to match or even surpass my own analysis capabilities. I highly recommend you to explore his work if you are passionate about Snowbreak’s gameplay. You can trust that he will provide top-notch support.

In summary, my time with Snowbreak has been a cherished part of my life and if given another opportunity, I wouldn’t think twice about repeating the experience. However, it’s evident that this isn’t an endeavor for eternity. But before we part ways, let’s savor the moment as Snowbreak celebrates its second anniversary! Let’s make this a celebration to remember.

Tier List Updates

View the full tier list here.

Vidya – Celestial Swan

T0★ → T0

Through Vidya’s exploration, it’s clear that she is an exceptional support character, able to perform alongside the elite. She particularly thrives in single-element teams but can also effectively contribute in multi-element combinations, thereby securing a place among the best.

Nerida – Styx Envoy

(Neural Simulation) T2 → T1
Overall rating unchanged

As a gamer, I’ve grown increasingly impressed with Nerida’s knack for taking down bosses, and after witnessing her abilities in action, I’m feeling more optimistic about her performance. Consequently, I’ve decided to give her an upgrade in my Sim rating.

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2025-07-10 07:01

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