The images of the maps you attached are from the dungeons and I don't expect variety in them, however, the map of the world zones were diverse and even had some exploration along the way. The last maps he uploaded on discord were the world maps for the 4 succubi before the Dutchess, which should be intriguing and filled with some challenges before fighting the bosses at least.
I get what you're saying, and agree that the upcoming maps are boring. I just think he's better at "nature" maps than he is at maps that are built by someone or something. Some of the towns are decent, but most maps that are man-made (or made by something else) are excessively symmetrical and boxy, and not just the dungeons. Regardless, I agree the maps are kinda disappointing, but I also place a lot of value on them.
My main point is not that he's milking the patreons, I'll even drop that idea, however there's no doubt he's gotten lazy or burned out along the way. The best evidence I can give is ch3 development. He announced that Kain had some medical issues and couldn't draw anymore, however instead of using this time to develop the chapter and use placeholders instead of the art, so he could replace them at the moment Kain came back, he decided to sit on his ass and do absolutely nothing. Atop of it all, he released a "demo" version of ch3, since he realised the time gap from the last chapter's release was too big and people started to lose interest. I'm just venting my frustrations since I invested 300$+ in this project in the first 12 months, hoping for improvements from chapter to chapter even if there were issues along the way. Sadly, the trend seems to be the opposite.
Yeah I can understand your frustration if you were a high-tier backer. Honestly, I don't think that he provides enough benefit or content to justify subscribing big atm, nor has he for a while. But I disagree about the quality of content not improving. I started during chapter 2. And chapter 3 saw a huge improvement as far as gameplay was concerned. He spent a long time redoing the combat on the previous fights, and adding new content to the game. Chapter 4 saw improvements to the writing as well. I wouldn't want him constantly iterating on older content though, so it's fine he hasn't gone back and spent more time redoing the systems. As far as sitting on his ass, idk man, I can't say how hard he works or not, but he released Warlock Saga Ch. 1 in that time.
Honestly I preferred Kain's art, but Kain got injured, then stepped down from the project or something. (Idk what went on there, he said he was not doing lewd art anymore, but still does it?) It seems to me like Zion got blindsided by Kain getting injured, then stepping down, then having to strip all of IND3X's animations, spending time to hire new artists, getting caught up on art, only for the next artist to get injured. I think he is responsible for some of the delays, and lacks some game development and project management skills that would get the ball rolling faster, but I genuinely think he's trying.
I do also think he's learning from some of his mistakes, and trying to do better. Best example of that? His artist/art bottleneck which caused so many delays? He's resolved to make sure that isn't going to be an issue anymore, and hired like 5+ artists to work on the game with the patron money, and has art for multiple chapters of the next game ready to go. That to me is what shows the most dedication. He's investing massively in the art, and while he has some weaknesses as a game dev, as someone who pays attention in the discord, I do really think he's trying.
Sorry for the wallpost lmao
