Make a few new posts where I try to be more positive and talk about the prizes:
Some Positives: So, now that I covered all the negatives, was there anything I liked?
Well, while the writing could still use a lot of improvement, at the very beginning I did like what looked like improvements:
1. The set-up. Tensions rising between Sakhmet and Qasala due to Amira seemingly more helping Qasala than her own people to the point there's a rebellion going on and Amira can't leave her own palace. OF COURSE, we then discover it was a military coup with its leader just trying to get the royal treasure. Boo and yawn. Was much more interesting when I thought it was the Sakhmet people themselves fed up with Amira's rather selfishness. The resolution isn't as simple as "beat up the bad guy", they're levels of nuance ranging from politics and morality.
2. A handful of characters were nicely written. I do like Lyra, Aurrick, and the banter between the two. Surprisingly General Dacon was awesomely written, throwing out the military coup's leader (I don't care about him enough to learn his name) and guards from the palace.
The short bit with Nabile talking down Aymas was also great.
3. The storybook way of telling the story was a bit better than just the character profiles they only did in TWR. If they don't want to draw full comics, this isn't a bad replacement as long as the images we do get are nicely done and show the important scenes.
4. How the Achievements were used to determine how many plot points you got. Much better than TWR's ones which gave you the prize as soon as you completed it (which felt more like an Event thing to do then a plot).
5. We got a glimpse of the prizes before the end of the plot, helps to get players excited when they know a bit about what's coming at the end.
6. The NC Accompaniment gave previous existing NC items in addition to the new items, giving it more value.
And that arrives us to the final prizes:
No Avatar Or Trophy: One of the bigger issues among players BUT I'll at least say a Trophy wasn't really needed for something like this. But I am surprised there's no Avatar. Sure, we got a Site Theme, but you can't really show that off.
Not Many Points: Another issue is the low amount of plot points you get. Now I don't mind you needed to do all nine achievements to afford Blaze (which is a pretty interesting weapon that'll we'll get to), but at the same time that left you with little points afterwards. Sure, you can pass up on Blaze, but if you did that I don't feel the other prizes would have made up for it even if you only focused on the Background, Stamp, and maybe the book. It does make it feel there was suppose to be some more but they ended it early.
But let's get to the prizes:
Dates & Figs Energy Bar (10 points): It's your "leftover points" fodder prize so it's fine. Though with there being three 20 point prizes it does kind of make it feel "lonely" as you'd probably either get only one or not get it at all. First cheap prize players probably won't get multiples of unless they choose to.
Desert Explorer Kit (20 points): Well at least its a book, that gives it worth. Infact, so much worth it overshadows the other two 20 points.
Little Bag of Bulgur and
Wind-Up Soldier (20 points each): Covering both of these at the same time because why would you get any of them over the Desert Explorer Kit? The Little Bag of Bulgur also feels out of place as we already have the "leftover points" fodder item being a food item.
10 Things to Do in Sakhmet (60 points): Considering where this item was place point cost wise and being a book, I feel it has good value as many may easily miss out buying it.
Lavish Lights (100 points): I guess they look nice but nothing really to write home about. Probably would fit in with customisations to make a Neopet look rich and fancy though more imaginative customisers could find other purposes I'm sure.
Desert Crossbow (100 points): 6 Fire, 2 Light, 8 icons total. Pass, if you have under 200 points focus on the Lavish Lights and/or 10 Things to Do in Sakhmet. You'll at the very least make more NP selling them than trying to sell this. And for those looking for BD equipment check out my Ice Bori's petpage:
www.neopets.com/~Freezo37. You'll find way more powerful weapons for cheaper. Makes me wonder why even have these weak weapons, they're a beginners trap. Or at least make them on par (if not expies) of other good weapons at the price level it'll fall at.
Lyra Plushie, Aurrick Plushie, and
Aymas Xendrik Bobblehead (200 points each): Considering the OTHER 200 point item, sadly not worth it. Granted, because of that it might make these rare. But they're also not one use, they have no greater effect than other toys or the Merry-go-round on Roo Island, honestly these are more just Gallery fodder for Plushie, Toy, and Lost Desert themed item collectors.
The Ruins of Thanyros Stamp (200 points): Yup, the other 200 point is a Stamp. As with all stamps, you may want to consider getting at least one if not a few, depending on how many points you got. Sells more than the Horus.
The Complete History of Qasala and Sakhmet (500 points): Now, if you have 700 or more points, certainly buy one of these (and a stamp), it's well worth the value. But if you have under 700 points, you may want to skip this over and get as many stamps as you can get (or one of the toys if you want one or think you can sell it later on).
Handsome Horus (500 points): It's just a basic Horus with a collar drawn on. SKIP IT. Pure Gallery fodder.
Sailing into the Sunset (1k points): Ooh, it's animated! Well, at least the ship in the background is. It's a nice background, don't recall many backgrounds by the river in the Lost Desert (then again you can't really tell it apart from other beach backgrounds, a few which are also in front of a sunset). Because of that I think it's not that big of a jump to say, unless you think you can find use for it, you may want to skip so you can get more of the "Complete History" book and stamps.
Blaze (1.9k points): So, the big prize. The famed sword (with a rather generic name) that was sort of a key element to the story. Does it live up to the hype? Surprisingly, I think it does! 10 Fire, 1-6 Physical, 11-16 icons total may not sound impressive, but its a dual duty! It blocks 2/3 of all Dark and Water! Wait, did I say dual duty? I meant triple, because this last one is where it really shines: heals 16.66% of your max HP when you're below 25% of your max HP!
Blaze is a weaker version of the Wand of the Dark Faerie and Illusen Staff. But "weak" is a relative term, the Fire icons are harder to block than Dark and Earth, it defends a high amount of two icon types instead of reflecting one type, and though it doesn't heal for a lot it does it as early as the Wand of the Dark Faerie does (Illusen Staff only starts healing when below 20% max HP, but heals 20% of max HP so beats Blaze there). So, while at first not seeming powerful, it does make up for it!
I gotta give kudos to TNT on this weapon, it's pretty impressive.
And no, it's not TOO impressive. I've seen a few boards that are asking for nerfs and, no, no it doesn't. For one thing, it's a final prize weapon that you actually needed to do all nine achievements to afford AND it uses almost all your points to get it. And as I pointed out, it's a WEAKER version of WotDF and IStaff, and in raw damage the Sworf of Reif is still better. And it's only partial blocks, not fully. It's pretty balanced for what you need to do to get it, doesn't outdo any weapon you can compare it too, yet even high levels battlers may consider using it for its triple duty nature.
Compare it to TWR weapons which were Hidden Tower level weapons you got for free as you progressed through the plot (and still need to be nerfed, just shave off 1 icon of each Type they do and they'll be fine).
If you can afford Blaze, GET IT. Even if you decide not to use it you can sell it for a pretty NP.
