Although I've gotten to the point where I ignore the little bit of story connected to the Star Fortresses, just because I've run them so much, I like the basic model for the mission and would like to see it expanded to other mission. For the record, I hate running mission for the most part, especially if it is not a story that I really want to see the end of because I haven't seen it before. However, if you check, I've run a lot of star fortresses, more than any other mission I have.
What I like about Star Fortresses
- The fact that the configuration for the star fortresses change a little each time
- The number of potential decoration drops included in each run
- the fact that they are filled with so many art assets that would be good decorations in their own right
- the lore based clickables that would make for great easter eggs and storytelling vehicles
On that last note, we saw some of that in the KOTFE and KOTET chapters. The Royal Palace and the chapter where we found Satele had this kind of storytelling in it. While it serves a purpose in a more distinct story, as with the chapters, I think it would work in more general stories too.
For instance, imagine a mission on Nar Shaddaa or Coruscant's lower levels. You could use one map, but the mission and the story being told through the players actions could change based on which clickables the player needs to interact with. For instance, one one run it might be breaking up a feud be gang leaders with some investigative snooping, another run might be shutting down a spice ring, yet a third run might be helping people gather resources to escape that part of town. Think along the lines of Rusk's recruitment mission but more varied in the objects to be interacted with.
Rather than completely changing which map a person is running through, smaller items could change and produce a very different story depending on the combinations put together and what bits of story they hint at. Maybe this could work through instancing.
However, my biggest draw for star fortresses remains the decoration drops. They are a big driver for playing, in my case, and being able to get 4 in one run is a big deal for me. I would appreciate it if, at the least, each planet had some mission that dropped decorations that fit the planet or the theme of the planet. For instance, Nar Shaddaa's mission could drop hutt, underworld, luxury, and holo sign decorations. Ideally, the special planetary mission would be one that could remain largely the same despite whatever story is driving galactic issues.
