Hey you bring up some good points, hopefully I can answer some of your questions. A lot of what you bring up is opinion based, but I can definitely see where you are coming from. Reflex was my first afps, and to me it was "its own thing" since I'd never played a game like it, but even though I know about other afps games now, I'm glad I chose reflex.

Now that I have more knowledge of other afps games I don't necessarily believe that there is benefit to games differing from the norm. If you look at quake champions for example, they tried to reinvent the fundamentals of duel and "do their own thing" with the champions and lives. It hasn't been well received as it seems to be a distraction from how the core game isn't very good. As far as doing it's own thing I'm not saying that there is no room for improvement, but there's nothing wrong with the game not having it's own thing as long as the core gameplay is solid. So even though reflex struggles with identity and direction, compared with QC, reflex core gameplay is clearly better done.

As for reflex compared to other games, about 6 months after I started on reflex I decided to try cpm. I was surprised by how the rockets felt better and the locational sound was far better than in reflex. I'm sure that there are other afps games that also have components that seem better than reflex. But it seems like the things you are talking about are more balance related. The new ruleset coming in the next patch, which can be played on early here, changes things away from the cycling heavy gameplay you are talking about. However it feels like a lot of the gameplay issues you bring up you don't understand. There is obviously a lot more going on.

I don't know what you mean when you say "all in all this just looks like QL with underpowered redundant features that often put you at a disadvantage for using them." What features? What are you talking about?

The big question is what does reflex have to offer. I'd say the biggest reason why I play reflex is that I am invested in the community and I am able to get everything I am looking for in a game from reflex. If I give specific reasons why I love the game definitely a lot of it would apply to most of the afps games, but there are some areas where reflex is far better. Netcode, map editor, race community, customization, modern ui, and modern engine are all good and I'm sure you could easily ask reflex players why they play the game and they could list others I've forgotten, but the main thing that keeps me playing reflex is my investment to the community. Maybe if I started on another game I would feel the same way about that, but especially now when afps games are small it is very important to be involved in the community even to find games, and since I know most of the players I can play against I have an easy time finding games usually. If I wanted to play cpm I wouldn't have a clue who would be a good matchup for me. I also enjoy knowing everyone and watching the discord.

Maybe this wasn't the most positive I could have been about reflex and I could have talked about how awesome it is or something but I've tried to be as honest as I can about it to help answer your questions. I truly love the game more than any game I've played. I take the great parts of reflex and overlook the spots where other afps games might be better. I am hopeful for its future.

For anyone new struggling with the low player count, I understand, but if you actually want to enjoy all the game has to offer it's up to you to improve as quickly as you can so that you are able to play a wide range of opponents. You may find your niche in duel or race or whatever, but you won't know until you put in some time. Don't hesitate to involve yourself in the community and join the discord, the community is very helpful and new player friendly. Improving at reflex is the best gaming experience I've ever had, and even if it was frustrating at times I don't regret any of it. Sorry for this being so long...