https://youtu.be/9QmOT5ElWCgDo you know what slightly pisses me off about this video?
In the original PSO2, the game practically teases you by having the Shopping Plaza overlook this entire city-scape. Granted the Shopping Plaza provides everything for players but I really wanted to explore the city, something you were only allowed to do under certain missions under limited conditions.
Even if allowing the exploration of ARKS-ship city is mostly fluff, it would've still be nice to freely explore areas outside the lobby. Maybe find unique client missions, shops or talk to NPCs about current events etc.
When PSO2:NG introduced "Central City", I knew they were bullshitting that it's not really a city. I'd say it's more of a futuristic military base. And given I never had enough Battle Points to leave Aelio (let alone participate in Emergency Quests), I presume Retem City is just a hole in the ground, covered by a dome and more like PSO2s Shopping Plaza.
So now we finally have the freedom to explore an ARKS-ship city, and it's a PSO2:NGS feature so likely require a butt-tonne of Battle Points to access which I can't.
Somehow in this game ... it's more fun to explore and play character dress up than to grind.
It is! But Battle Points won't let me fully explore the map.