[SPOILER] Survey for those who have beaten several Anomalies.

1. How many anomalies have you completed, state their names --- minor, fire, water and just entered in gravity
2. What is the most interesting things you have found in them --- science vials and crystals.
3. How hard it was to figure out what to do in them, how long did it take? ---  Well, if we are reading carefully the guidestones, should be easy ( 1 or 2 hours for  the first 3 anomalies) Admitting that we have the correct tools for the obstacles there. If not we have to wait for the right hero's level and then go back. Getting the precursor's item is quite tricky. And honestly I am not sure that is all I have to do there in order to complete one anomaly. I've tried to figure out how to  repair terminals , how to connect pipes, how to estinguish fires there ...and so on. Or maybe I've completely missed something there? lol
4. How many times did your hero die in the anomalies? How hard it was to figure out how black vortices work? ---   -Once, in Minor. Like I said, reading the stoneguides + die once = you can figure out how it works :-) Or maybe I've just discover only how to avoid them??? lol
5. How long did it actually take to beat one anomaly (after you have figured out what to do) --- 1 or 2 h. Except for the first one, I was blind as a bat to find the last maple leaf! It was there!!! Grrr, droved me crazy! 
6. What have you learned from those locations in terms of lore and game backstory? ---I think is a nice adittion to complete the informations about precursors and their history. I am curious to discover more on the other anomalies. I supposed that at the end we have to report something to Gromus. Or maybe we will get the Sphere? 
7. Did you liked the exploration/mystery style of the locations? Was it a welcome addition to what game has to offer or would you prefer a different direction? Which one?  --- Yes, Is a good addition definitely. The atmosphere is different from the other locations, and exploring only with hero  is more relaxing and remember me a lot the original TT. I would like to get more informations tho for the scientifists. I bet Zwinstein spend some years there LOL
8. How did you like science fiction setting, serious themes of ecology, legacy of the past, progress? Did it fit to the game? Did it make the story and overall atmosphere more interesting? Less interesting?  --- I like a lot , science-fiction was the missing part in the quest locations :-) Ecology theme is interested too, have to explore more anomalies tho. Discovering the truth about the precursor's past and their actions is something I would like to see more developped.   
9. Have you solved the main quest? --- if the main quest in each anomaly is to find the Precursor's item, yes. If not, I have no clue ,lol. I suppose that I have to finish all the 9 to finish the main quest.
10. Have you found/solved secondary quest about specific scientists? Did you figure out what happened between Halyna and Volodymyr? ----I've finished only 3 anomalies so far. Need to explore more, but for sure, they were all crazy like hell there lol
11. What about gems? Have you found them all? How hard were they? Didnt bother to find them, so, more than half found in the 3 anomalies
12. Hidden consumable items - were they useful? How many of them have you found? How many blueprints/figurines? ---Found crystals. One blueprint so far. The most interesting are the science vials
13. How hard the anomalies were? Too hard/too easy/just right? ---The first 3 are just ok. Gravity is too greedy in ressources, i will go back prolly in a few weeks.
14. How do they compare to other secondary location series (caves, dens, dungeons)? --- They are a nice addition for sure. More interesting than caves and dens imo, but less than dungeons ( sorry, I am absolutely fan of dungeons)
15. State any other things you have found interesting in the anomaly, not mentioned specifically above. --- The general mystic/strange atmosphere there is very realistic.  I was moving my hero slowly, expecting that some ghosts/spectres will jump on my back every 3 seconds. Scary!  lol. And all the decors there are really beautiful and interesting, each anomaly's decor is different, well done once again RANDOM :-)  Maybe a minigame/puzzle specific to each type of anomaly?  One connecting some pipes in the Water Anomaly , one to estinguish fires ( like in original TT if I remember correctly) and so on...just to keep us occupied for...let's say, half an hour? :-). A special mention for the music there too. 
16. Well done team!

Several questions to those who have beaten at least couple of anomalies:

I have completed three anomalies - normal fire water. I am working on gravity

The most interesting find were Precursor Message Bits

It took me a couple of visits (after dying). But after that, like dungeons, I found similarities in them. The road stones help. It did not take me long to figure out that there are several locations to visit within each anomaly ... and that they hold a story. I clicked on everything and read everything.

I died once then figured it was enough. After that I thought my hero would automatically walk around/avoid them ... but no ... :( My foot falls are more careful now.

I think it took me two days ... but of course each later anomaly takes longer because of increased resource requirements and longer dig times. This is a frustrating part of the quest locations but I figure it was purposely put into place to put a damper on quick succession of location completion. The later resource/entrance requirements do become quite overwhelming I assume?  

I like the story between Halyna and Volodymyr, and the progression of science fiction story/history. As I progress I find hints that answer some questions I still have. The whole thing fits in well with the dungeons and the caves  ... It is thoroughly enjoyable. Although parts still remain a bit of a mystery, I think it is good because I look forward to visiting the next location to discover more answers, more story, and more solution. I don't necessarily find "figuring it out right away" as enjoyable as taking my time to move from location to location with that goal. That is also what I enjoyed about the dungeons. My knowledge about them was  progressive.

I have found all the gems in three locations. They were not difficult. The chest items are a little better hidden :) The extra inventory items are only helpful if they are not fish stories and savings policies because ... what do you do with that in an anomaly? We get enough of them in other locations :(  I don't  use them anyway. Maybe more carpets and  (since we have the chance to die often/revive/return) figurines of teaching would be nice. And in later anomalies some resources would help ... esp if we are not lucky enough to find the go-arounds :)

All said, I very much like these locations and I am looking forward to visiting more. Random did an incredible job. Thank you for all of  your hard work developing this new direction in the game.

2Arya

>>>Have you solved the main quest? --- if the main quest in each anomaly is to find the Precursor's item, yes. If not, I have no clue ,lol. I suppose that I have to finish all the 9 to finish the main quest.

We will add a roadstone with hint in Minor Anomaly, hopefully it will make players' goals in anomalies clearer. Also, FYI: you can update your journal log at least twice in each anomaly : first time for Roadside Picnic quest, second time for Ghosts of the Past quest.

2Simba

>>>The later resource/entrance requirements do become quite overwhelming I assume?

Nope, these requirements were neccessary mostly for the first anomalies, so you will breath a sigh of releaf in later anomalies :)

2Arya

We will add a roadstone with hint in Minor Anomaly, hopefully it will make players' goals in anomalies clearer. Also, FYI: you can update your journal log at least twice in each anomaly : first time for Roadside Picnic quest, second time for Ghosts of the Past quest.

Good idea for the road stone, and good to know about the journal's update :) I'll check more carefully in the next locations, thanks ( and go back in the first 3 lol) 

2Simba

>>>The later resource/entrance requirements do become quite overwhelming I assume?

Nope, these requirements were neccessary mostly for the first anomalies, so you will breath a sigh of relief in later anomalies :)

Thank you Random :) 

1. How many anomalies have you completed, state their names.

- Minor, Fire and Water

2. What is the most interesting things you have found in them.

- Precursor Message Bits and diary entries.

3. How hard it was to figure out what to do in them, how long did it take?

- Well, the routine exploring and finding items thing is pretty standard, the digging was quite obvious from the road stone at Minor, but I have a feeling there's a lot more to do that I haven't figured out yet.

4. How many times did your hero die in the anomalies? How hard it was to figure out how black vortices work?

- Only died once. Didn't need to be told twice.  If there's more to the vortices I haven't found it yet. If we’re going to have to try and kill those shades it’ll be a massacre!

5. How long did it actually take to beat one anomaly (after you have figured out what to do)

- Again, that depends on how much there is to do. Exploring them takes an hour at best, but since then I spent 2 or 3 hours clicking on things and trying inventory items on objects, with no success.

6. What have you learned from those locations in terms of lore and game backstory?

- I don’t focus too much on storylines, but the diary entries are interesting and I’m curious to see where they will lead.

7. Did you liked the exploration/mystery style of the locations? Was it a welcome addition to what game has to offer or would you prefer a different direction? Which one?

- I think I like them… but they are a bit frustrating!

8. How did you like science fiction setting, serious themes of ecology, legacy of the past, progress? Did it fit to the game? Did it make the story and overall atmosphere more interesting? Less interesting?

- Yes I think the setting is very interesting and intriguing, and it fits with the rest of the game. Looking forward to finding out more.

9. Have you solved the main quest?

- Nope.

10. Have you found/solved secondary quest about specific scientists? Did you figure out what happened between Halyna and Volodymyr?

- Nope.

11. What about gems? Have you found them all? How hard were they?

- Found almost all of them without too much effort - only 2 or 3 left to find.

12. Hidden consumable items - were they useful? How many of them have you found? How many blueprints/figurines?

- So far I’ve only found one figurine of teaching, apart from many crystals. Oh and I love finding tech points :)

13. How hard the anomalies were? Too hard/too easy/just right?

- If I’ve found all there is, they’re pretty easy. But I suspect there’s more and I wouldn’t mind more clues…

14. How do they compare to other secondary location series (caves, dens, dungeons)?

- I love how all the locations offer different things. Variety is the spice of life!

15. State any other things you have found interesting in the anomaly, not mentioned specifically above.

1. Minor, Water, Fire working on Gravity

2. Interesting is the Terminals, the story line, that I am kinda following.

3. I have not figured out a thing yet, I have 2 Precursor bits

4. died 2 times maybe 3, because was not careful enough. 

5. I have not beaten any of them as far as I know

6. there is a love story I guess, and some of the employees went insane

7. It is a nice distraction while things are built. 

8, I like how the old and new are going together, even though they are both old now, since all is destroyed and not working. 

9. I have not solved a thing I am too dense I guess

10. nope

11. I do not bother with Gems, unless I am going to get something cool for finding all of them (like in TT)

12. Can't say that I have found anything cool, unless it was in a chest

13. Hard since I have no clue what I am trying to do or figure out

14. They are interesting but with no clear goal, again I am lost

15. I think once I get more direction I will like them better, the resources needed for Gravity is outrageous. 

Per a note from Random:

We will add a roadstone with hint in Minor Anomaly, hopefully it will make players' goals in anomalies clearer. Also, FYI: you can update your journal log at least twice in each anomaly : first time for Roadside Picnic quest, second time for Ghosts of the Past quest.

Roadside Picnic, I only have one entry in that one, and if you added the road stone telling me a hint I missed it entirely. 

Ghosts of the Past I have 4 entries 

So far you have kept me entertained and that is the goal I suppose. So good job there. 

Roadside Picnic, I only have one entry in that one, and if you added the road stone telling me a hint I missed it entirely. 

Ghosts of the Past I have 4 entries 

So far you have kept me entertained and that is the goal I suppose. So good job there. 

Ok, we've specified the explanation in tutorial roadstone in Minor Anomaly (it will be available after the next update), what do you think about that?

"Discover some clues nearby to request concealed message in terminal. Order of clues investigation matters"

Roadside Picnic, I only have one entry in that one, and if you added the road stone telling me a hint I missed it entirely. 

Ghosts of the Past I have 4 entries 

So far you have kept me entertained and that is the goal I suppose. So good job there. 

Ok, we've specified the explanation in tutorial roadstone in Minor Anomaly (it will be available after the next update), what do you think about that?

"Discover some clues nearby to request concealed message in terminal. Order of clues investigation matters"

I think that is dandy and the statement of "order of clues investigation matters", just means I will never figure it out. Since I never find anything in the right order.   

I think that is dandy and the statement of "order of clues investigation matters", just means I will never figure it out. Since I never find anything in the right order.  

Also, after the next update it will be much easier to distinguish clues from other interactive objects, so ordering them will be just the matter of a few clicks :)

UPDATE

As promised , I went back in the first 3 anomalies and finished Gravity too. So, it seems that I've missed a lot in the begining as I didnt knew what for exactly looking  there. Getting the 4 precursor's bits was quite easy and obvious - but I still think that digging for some of them is a waste of time :-(( Especially in those locations when you need a perk to dig, it takes 1h or 2h, if you're lucky to dig the correct spot, if not 3 or 4 h. Added to the travel time ( cause those locations are really far ) it keeps your hero blocked there for few hours...

I've managed to get 5 entries for each one of the 2 quests there. Once I've figured out what to do there it tooks me 1h30- 2h to get all the hints in each anomaly. Some are really difficult ( I died once in Water and once in Gravity ). But got a lot of satisfaction each time I saw the message saying that I've completed the main goals in one anomaly :-) Having the terminals marked on the minimap would be very helpfully. Maybe marked with a different symbol colour for the solved / not solved ones ?

Bers was speaking about BP/figs there , I suppose that they are really well hidden as I found none. And in chests only some potions, badges...nothing really interesting. Maybe you can add secrets there, same as in dungeons?Or maybe the secrets are already there and I am not able to discover them, lol.

Anyway, I cant wait for the last 5 anomalies, I am really interested to discover more and more about the story between the 2 scientists and also discover the final quest. 

Once again, well done Random and team, really nice adition to the game !

1) Completed Minor, Fire and Water, doing slowly gravity, but its rather expensive.

2) Maybe the fragments of the precursors artefact, but right now they do nothing. some cristals and science pickups.

3)Well, i played minor before the updates and i had no idea. then, you added some mero clues, and it became clear what i did need to do. So,after the update, maybe 15 minutes of clicking everywhere

4)I died 5 times or so because of the path the hero takes to go to some places. I dont watch the hero walk, i just place the flag wherever i want to go, and if it crosses an anomaly... well you die. Other than that i knew since the start i shouldnt cross the crystals, so 0 "real" deaths.

5) it depends a lot on the anomaly. From 15 minutes to several days of searching for items. The problem is not the clues, its opening the path (i dont have the tools to break the obstacles) or finding all the items

6)A lot, and im really interested in the rest of the anomalies.

7)I loved it. Finally a break from all the fighting aspect of the game. A place just to relax and explore without needing troops. The mystery, i love it, I really want to see more like this in future quests. It brings me back memories from the old TT, and thats nice

8)I liked the themes involved, specially all the science theme. Its nice to see some physics and chemistry involved in it, and, even if the story is fictious, it does not break all of the rules of the universe.Very interesting and absorbing

9)No, still left gravity and the four remaining ones.

10)I have found it, and I know a part of the story, but again, same as the previous question

11)No, i havent found all gems in any place, but this time around I am not searching for them too much

12) Lots of crystals, and very few things more. In the chests i got some equipment and a microscope that i remember of. The crystals are fine, but the rest are a bit useless. 0 figurines or blueprints that i remember. Maybe 1 of teaching, but im not sure if i found it there.

13)Once you understand how they work, they are easy to pass. I had more problems getting the items for obstacles and upgrading the camp to build bridges than to actually pass the quest. I think the quest items are too hidden, i had a hard time finding some, but its OK, it adds a bit of difficulty.

14)I like this ones the most. The theme,and the atmosphere are great, and even if they have parts to search for items, they are not as exhausting as in caves. The dens are much more usefull, and the dungeons give better items, but in terms of story this are the best. 

15) I think its not fair to hide some items under lv2 and above treasure spots. I had the perks, but even if in Minor we are advised to dig, having to spend a perk in an otherwise useless perk is a waste. 

I've finished to explore the 5 last anomalies, but still missing 2 precursors bits. Considering that I have to spend a looot of time to dig to get them, I prefere to post now about the anomalies and to post later about the main quest .

1.Deadland -  first map I've found in a chest. I was a little bit lost , cause it seems to be the place where the main quest will end. I liked a lot decors there , remind me the original TT and the last chapter in the comet. Explored the place, but, after crossing the bridge there, I died lol ! 2 shades in the same crystals circle is a little bit too much imo :-). Resurect hero , come back and finished all the terminals there to get the entries for quests. Dissapointed when I realised that I have to dig all of those spots in order to get the precursor bit. I've tried to figure out a hint on the guide stones close to those spots, but it seems that I'm not enough logic to extract a valuable information, so, dig , and dig again, and get nothing really valuable there :((( I would propose to put at least valuable items in those anomalies, to compensate the time spend there ( more crystals and/or artefacts). Getting a simple bow level 8 attack for my hero is really useless at level 50! lol Or add more valuable hints in order to reduce the possible number of spots where the precursor bit could be burried. The players enjoying to dig may came later there and dig as much as they want...

2. Lava was the second map i've got in a chest too. Nice decors too, again reminds me TT :-). Spend a lot of time there , couldnt find the last bell, blind as a bat! For once, I told to myself, ok, finally to dig here is not a waste of time since I have to search for that bell. Well, wrong idea! Cause the last bell was on a path still under fog...so, I needed my hero to find it. I would suggest to everybody to uncover fog especially on the edges , lot of hidden items are there. Got finally the last bell, open the chest, got the last key , opened the door and get the last entry for the quests. Still have to go back and dig for the precursor item. :-( 

I would like to speak about the 2 chests there , requiring HUGE amounts of ressources ...I precise that I didnt opened myself those chests as I was told that there is no interest to spend so much ressources and get only usual stuff ... I was expected at least a legendary artefact, or an item not available on store ( marena's circle ?) or a huge amount of crystals... but not the same kind of items available in any big golden chest in my towns :-(

3. Luminous was my 3rd anomaly ( map found on the ground in one town )- nice decors and the easiest anomaly in the last five. Got the entries for the quests very easy. I really like it , as it was not so no hard as Deadland and Lava, nice to take a break and explore in "cool" mode lol 

4. Climate - my favorite !!! I Liked a lot decors and atmosphere there, loved the snow and the nice surprised behind the gate :-)) I loved so much that I didnt even shout as usual for being oblige to dig there 3 times to get the precursor bit LOL. The ( 3) surprises worth it! I felt rewarded for my efforts, it was really nice. Really loved that one.

5 Mire -  well , that one is not my favorite for sure lol! Since the begining I had troubles to build the wade ( overlap informations about the swamps), finally succeed , thanks to a screenshot send by a player :-) , but i've found the exploration very difficult there , crystals are very close to each others and the circle's edges are not clearly define... Few times I've even step up between the cercle and some small crystals..dont know if it is a bug or it is intended to give us more thrills lol . Struggle to get a hint for the last terminal...it tooks me more than 3h or 4h roughly to finish that anomaly. Hopefully the precursor bit is in the chest ( grrr! i've dig 1 spot while I was looking for the last hint for a terminal lol ) Get lost many times , to go back and forth to terminals ( as I've mixed the hints for 2 terminals lol). Roads are really thin and sometimes I was holding my breath walking less than 1 cm far from a crystal. It's a miracle that I didnt died there lol! 

Now it is more obvious for the hints , the information" it will come handly later" helps a lot, really !!!

Like I said, as I am still missing 2 precursor bits, I'll post later the conclusion for the main quest.

Overall, those last anomalies are a nice addition, they are all different and interesting. The story revealed by the terminals is very important to explain us what happened with the scientists , their experiments and in how way they've lost control of The Entity ...The scientific aspect is well explained, to a level afordable for a large number of peoples. The story between Halyna and Volodymyr is very important too to understand how the scientists were involved in the experiments, their feelings about how the Entity was used finally by some of their collegues, about the transformation / destruction of Teya 's ecosystems. 

I would suggest to let the Deadland's map spawn few days later after the first 8 ones maps and at high hero's level ( regardless to the strong level tools needed to destroy some crystals there ) 

I cant wait to go back in Deadland once I'll have all the 9 precursor bits. The message there about the second shade it's a little bit scary though ....lol

Well, bye for now, have to go back to dig  hihihi!

Wow, just wow. Nice job, All done, and really really interesting. Once you get all of the anomaly's done the whole story makes sense. A little love story, a little Human history, and really the Entity is really the...........

wish I could have kept this guy as a pet. 

Wow, just wow. Nice job, All done, and really really interesting. Once you get all of the anomaly's done the whole story makes sense. A little love story, a little Human history, and really the Entity is really the...........

wish I could have kept this guy as a pet. 

Well, thanks for the HUGE spoil !!! 

I would like to speak about the 2 chests there , requiring HUGE amounts of ressources ...I precise that I didnt opened myself those chests as I was told that there is no interest to spend so much ressources and get only usual stuff ... I was expected at least a legendary artefact, or an item not available on store ( marena's circle ?) or a huge amount of crystals... but not the same kind of items available in any big golden chest in my towns :-(

Rewards were improved. No Marena cycles, of course :)

First of all , I just realised that I've made a mistake, in Luminous Anomaly I didnt get the precursor bit by digging...but in another way...sorry for the wrong post. If a moderator/dev could correct my post it would be nice please, I dont want to make peoples to dig for nothing there. 

Now, speaking about the end of the 2 quests in anomalies. 

I think I am the most unlucky person on Teya considering that I was oblige to dig 6 spots x 2 times in order to get the ring in Deadland! LOL . Finally got the other one in Lava and get all the 9 precursors bits. Pheeew! Hard work lol

 And then, same reaction as Sandy Sue WOW! Unexpected end and original :-) I've made the error to expect the same end as in the original TT ... well, nope ! lol Which makes those 2 quests even nicer and interesting. Good work again Random and team : you succeed to keep the original spirit of TT, decors , quests , shades... but you bring us something new... scientific experiments, science fiction, ecology problematics, scientist's reponsability...lot of things to think about ...Those anomalies are really a nice addition to the game. Same as dungeons, something very new and interesting, perfect :-))

The rewards for the 2 quests are really interesting and generous, a good compensation for all of our efforts and pains there lol!  

I would suggest to add some figurines of teaching in the spots to dig, as long as peoples have to ressurect their hero quite often there lol !  

How do you get past the black holes?

Do you mean how do you avoid dying in the Anomalies, Izabeth? If so, the answer is simply that you must go *round* the black holes... in other words you must be careful where you walk, and not go inside the circle of crystals round each vortex/ black hole.

Your hero will NOT learn to avoid these areas, so you need to always carefully place your flag and make sure that the hero does not accidentally walk through one of the danger areas.