Ive done a few simple illustrations to better show what im thinking about, so youll excuse me for this double post.
I get that not many players may be bothered or concerned about this. Thats fine. neither am i.
Im just thinking it could be a bit better, since we cannot get proper night-day cycles right now.
So, to finish up with my suggestion...
This is the map as it is now:
Correct me if im wrong but I believe this is mostly correct.
This does look rather disjointed.
There is a small area just next to the Lighthouse that turns into daytime although it is above the beach, in the forest and when you run over that you go through daytime and into the nightime very quickly. the same happens in the middle northern part although its a bit bigger so transition isnt so quick if you stick inside it.
And in the east there is that small blot of dark - where the Baron of Bones is.
Suggestion number one:
The area next to the Lighthouse would be correctly covered in dark, the middle North would be completely in the dark - and Baron of Bones small graveyard and Undertaker hut would exchange places.
I think it would make more sense if Baron of Bones is closer to the church and his master anyway. - While the secret Thelyron laboratory would fit to be behind that house with traps - maybe requiring to actually go through them to reach it.
And this would remove that small spot of dark which seems very weird in that place.
Suggestion number two:
The Night lands would be the same as described above but, the starting area, the east beach where our duo of Source hunters first appears would be covered in fog and clouds - because thats how it is represented in the opening animation - cinematic.
Not like a bright, nice shiny summer time beach.
While the western coast would be illuminated with sunset warm colors and tones. (if thats possible)
Additional suggestions:
- the areas that we clear form the undead could become free of the dark - turn to daytime.
It isnt necessarily real night time anyway - it may be just the "darkness covering the land" as the undead spread around. And we are clearing that away. So, the change would be dependent on the players progression and development of the story.
- Although i dont like that much because i like nighttime and i like these areas in the dark so, for me it would feel like im removing a thing i like myself. -
- Areas outside of the city could have real day-night cycles and that would not demand any changes to the NPC routines.
Would be nicer for me because i would then still have night dark lands to fight in. (maybe with additional enemies appearing and undead becoming stronger?)
So wussy players get to be really afraid of the dark, eh?