Feedback request: Caves vs other quest locations

I was very excited when the caves first came out but soon got extremely frustrated with them to the extent I have not bothered with them seriously in several weeks. Because they are random it makes it impossible for players to help each other if they get stuck which I personally think is a shame in a multi player game. I don't know if it was just that you hid things too well or the fact that it was dark that made it extremely difficult for me to find things. I am very short sighted so this may be a factor.
So in my opinion the caves would have been better not to be randomised but the same for everybody which may have made them quicker to produce.

I would much prefer to have new quests that move the story forward which are the same for everyone in the game rather than randomised quests which maybe sound interesting but end up too frustrating if you cannot find help.

Caves are a nice addition, but I prefer the static quest locations, story-related or maybe little extra quests for a reward, a cool item or even experience. Caves/dungeons, while random, are still essentially the same thing.

I vote for static quest locations that follow the story...

I finished all the caves with one Hero, Sandy Sue. Since the story line was not complete, I had a hard time figuring out if I was done or not. It just sorta ended, with no conclusion. So in that aspect please have a complete mission so I know when I am done. I liked the Caves after I did all of them with one hero. I only messed up one set of Stalagmites but that was because I did not understand the importance of matching them up in the first place. So make sure you have a hint at the very beginning about matching them up right. 

 With Beerfairy I was very frustrated with  finding all my caves, finally got that all figured out. Not sure if you fixed that issue of the fog and alliance members uncovering the fog or my Hero uncovering the fog. I have to find one more gem to be done with her. 

As to the question of what to make in the future, gosh can't I have both types story and non-story types? Yes I am greedy with this game, love it. I also like it that my caves did not match anyone else's Caves. Because then they have to work at it and not have someone else figure it out for them. Enkord is terrific at making you think and problem solve puzzles, that is your strong point. I need a game that is a challenge, this is definitely it. keep up the great work. 

I think I would prefer the quest/story-based additions as it is neat when the storyline is advanced.  I  was really excited about the caves but as others have said I stopped going to them because of my frustration with the stalagmite pieces or the final object in a series - but I did really like discovering them, finding the pathways and fighting the mobs.  At least at the quest-based locations I can use my brain rather than doing a HO search which has been about 50% effective and frustrating.

So unfortunately I am not giving you a definitive answer :)  If the stalag pieces were a tiny bit easier to find (vibrate when near?) and the same with the final object of a search for things like snail shells, I would love them.  I am not looking for easy, just possible to solve!  The cave background is very difficult to find things in and I have changed the monitor settings a number of times.

I think the caves are a great 'distraction' from the mundane building upgrades, so your goal in that respect was accomplished.  I have to disagree with thor in that i'm very glad they were random, this gave you something new to look forward to if you have mulitple heros.  As for being able to help other players, well, there's not much that you need to help others with with respect to the caves, since all they are are basic find stuff  and explore kinds of locations.

Having said that, if given a choice, i would prefer seeing what lies ahead in the main storyline over adding more caves.  I can say this because i haven't yet unlocked all of the caves, so i still have some to explore, i just need to level up my heros a bit, i think.  (It would be nice to know what level hero you need so far to unlock all of the caves). 

Short answer:  Caves are a fun distraction in times of peace, if frustrating at times.   :-)   But I would prefer that the story line be advanced.  I'm curious to see what comes next and I like the story quests. They are fun to play and figure out. 

One story quest is okay with me.  :-) 

I prefer 1 story quest over 9 caves.  I like the challenge.  

Although I have only done a few caves, I think they are more of a time waster, which I DO enjoy, but the story quests are my preference.

Probably not enough replies to be representative but I still vote for 1 quest location to move the story forward please :)

Same, I prefer 1 Quest location. I'm curious about the story, and if there's no goal in the game (apart from other types of victory), I'm going to get bored soon...

Plus, I haven't been able to find more than 3 caves so far, thought I have almost finished exploring my continent (other caves might be in the other big islands ?)

I also vote for the story line.

I vote for a quest location with a story line.

I vote for a quest location to move the story along.

I vote too for a quest location. Having in mind that I am stuck in 2 caves with no option to continue, have 2 caves with 1 gem missing and no way to find it, and need too much time going to a cave, I just don't try to finish the cave quest. Maybe you should consider giving us an option to start a cave from the beginning, but I am still for 1 more quest location.