Lazarillo

If I'm going to unleash my dark side, I might as well go whole-hog.

I think it's all in the execution. A sad ending can be really, really good, but like you said, it has to be done right. A poorly executed "sad" ending generally just feels hamfisted and is usually worse than a cliche happily-ever-after sort of affair. It's also, I think, harder to do correctly (or perhaps just not as commonly appropriate).

So I think it's less about people's reluctance to accept them and more about the rarity with which they're pulled off at an acceptable level.

That's speaking generally, though, without regard for this specific movie (which I haven't seen, and based on sentiments expressed in this topic and elsewhere, don't expect to see at this point, and hence, won't comment on the specific execution of the ending).

Right, so they give us the same little-if-nothing to do, and advertise it as a whole new system. If they'd introduced purple enhancements along with the ITF and called that an "endgame system"...it'd be about the same as we're getting now.

The problem is that this is supposed to be something new to do with our 50s and there's absolutely no meat to it. If we want any sort of reward we can do them again. And again. And again. That, however, doesn't alleviate the problem that led to people demanding and "endgame" in the first place.

Now, I am fully aware of how unreasonable it is to expect the Devs to create new content as fast as people can play the new content. However, I still think it's fair to see a problem when I can have a character completely done with the "content" part of the new Issue in less than two hours, especially when the new powers part of the system is going to take around 30-40.

The "create a massive number of alts" aspect has generally enabled us to avoid the problem of "nothing new to do", because playing different characters allows us to approach old content differently. By maintaining the same low level of new content, while simultaneously discouraging playing a large number of characters, we create this grinding feeling.

You must have a different Internet than I do.

I'm going to take issue with this last bit. The Coralax didn't change Vincent's memory, his exposure simply...tinted his worldview, and we already have precedent for that bit, since Barracuda's origin is effectively the same thing.

Until now, the Devs weren't making such a big deal about "look here's stuff for level 50s to do!"

Try a Claws stalker, fresh from Praetoria. It's a fun mission, but there's a distinct feeling of "Haven't they figured out they won't win yet?" after a while. Though Overdrive's TF does make up for it. Getting to be the AV was pretty awesome.

Tease. Teeeeeeaaaaaaasse!

So then, conversely, if you don't die, then you are level 51?
In that case, I'll happily point out that said minion's damage is reduced due to the level shift. Meaning you won't die. Level 51. QED.

This is an interesting point, and I agree with it in theory. In practice, however, I'm not so sure. The function of a multi-issue long-running story arc should be to develop that story over time, and go into more detail with that story. The situation in i20 as it's presented thusfar is pretty much still the same situation it was in i19. The i18 to i19 build up wasn't bad. It was "we're going to fight Praetorians" leading into "we're fighting Praetorians". But with i20, it's more of a "yep, still fighting 'em". In comparison, i10 got us the same level of story content, if not moreso, in just that single issue. We seem to be getting all the negatives of drawing out this story, and none of the benefits.

You broke into his place and trashed his stuff. What's he supposed to do, offer to bake you cookies?

That's only because at that point, "not destroying the hospital" furthered his agenda more than destroying it. In concept, he was not just okay with it, but actively approving of such action.

I think that's a big part of it, really.

Why would the savior of humanity tie the continued survival of our species to his one specific life? Only a madman would do something like that! Our emperor is too kindhearted a soul to let that sort of thing happen!

You haven't played the Villain Morality Mission, "Hometown Hero". Well, granted, of course you haven't played it. But the point is, if you had, you'd realize that quoted statement is incorrect.

This might have more weight if there were already some sort of legitimate alternative in place. It's already established that the Resistance was all their own disparate bunches of anarchist factions until Scott stepped up. Scott giving up control leads to situations just as bad as him taking it. There are good people in the Resistance, just like there are good people in the Praetorian government. The problem is that none of them have any sort of way to claim legitimate power in it.

"Isn't as", present tense. In the past, though, that was different. Hamidon caught everyone on Praetorian Earth off guard, and became a significant worldwide threat. Hamidon was to Praetoria what the Rikti were to Primal, only the historical accounts present the idea that Hami was considerably harder to put down, and continued doing that same level of damage for a much longer period.

To reference the medium from which the game draws inspiration, think about the X-Men villain, Apocalypse. Whenever he shows up, the heroes manage to dispatch him, sometimes with laughable ease for a guy who's built up as such a threat. And yet, we still had the old "Age of Apocalypse" crossover back in the '90s where this same "well contained" villain managed to live up to his name quite nicely in the end, simply because he managed to catch the heroes off guard with an overwhelming strike. Praetorian Hamidon was the same way. A more dangerous villain required more drastic measures. But like the Resistance says, drastic measures are justified when you're fighting against a greater evil.