Alpha Update 2.12

I like the new patrol system a lot. It has more depth, potential, and is more interesting than the previous system. The Dryad quest not being tied to RNG made it easier to move her in as soon as I had the greenhouse unlocked. I enjoyed researching and exploring the current points of interest, and look forward to their expansion in the future. Being able to get both food and reagents from exploration with the option of focusing more on either is a good addition. The new Lizard friend and Ole are cool and I hope there are more interactions with them soon.

This update made me feel like a new player again and I had some minor issues with the knowledge gaps in the patrol system. I thought I might as well point out some areas I had trouble, and make some suggestions, which mainly come down to signposting. In short, points of interest should be more visible. A message/event when unlocked, and viewable on the map when danger is above 50%, but greyed out. Second, more things should be POI, like the Wight battle and Ailis recruitment. 

Not being able to see POI when danger is above 50% had me guessing and patrolling randomly with Lucy to see if I unlocked anything new. It would be helpful if there was a message that you unlocked a POI, something like "when exploring, a monument is spotted in the distance. Maybe I'll check it out with Lucy another day." Having the POI greyed out, but visible during high danger would have been nice as my danger levels were high most of the time, but I didn't know the required level for unlocking points of interest.

This time, I got Ellie settled after planting the Dryad's seed because I didn't know which area to explore to unlock the next area, or where the statues to meet Cienna were. Maybe while repairing the tower you find a map, a drawing, see the clearing, or something pointing you to the area with the statues.

While searching for Cienna, I felt like my exploration was stalled by the Wight battle. I was less prepared for the fight this time and I think it was because I didn't have a level or two from night patrols not always being a battle. I just started unlocking the map with Scout before I got blocked by a fight that stopped night patrols. Would it be possible to have the Wight be a POI on the map, so night patrols aren't locked behind its defeat? Maybe there could be a downside so it isn't delayed for a long time. 

Finding the Ailis recruitment winter event was a little troublesome. I patrolled all the areas down to safe levels before day 200 thinking she might appear on the map like Scout, Cienna, or the Dryad, only to realize I just needed to explore the inn road part of the map to encounter her. Having the merchants mention increased activity on the road, or having a POI on the road would be helpful to point out she is available to encounter.

Last thing is unrelated to patrols. With merchants being gone every other week during winter, it feels like weekends are empty. This late, I have stats maxed, inn upgraded, and the only thing to do is cast a ritual and then either hang out with Lucy for fun, or just rest so I'm closer to max stamina for guests or hanging out with companions. Could fixing the inn's condition be an option once the inn is maxed, or will there be other chances to chat with companions on the weekends during the day? 

Anyways, thanks for a fantastic update, I think this exploration expansion is the most exciting yet, and I look forward to seeing what else changes in the future.