It seems to me that the game is kind of naturally divided into three styles of play, which are sort of like classes --- you can be into combat, and focus on looking for bosses and running straight at them with guns blazing. Or you can be into exploration, trying to find interesting places deep underground and hunting out strange region types while avoiding enemies as much as possible. Or some players seem to care a lot about the strategic game, using their character as an agent of their empire. Of course, everyone does a bit of at least the first two (personally, I've been avoiding the strategy screens as much as I can, though I should probably try to change that). Does this fit with people's experience?
If so, that leads me to an idea about the game --- I'm wondering if it should perhaps try to reflect these different styles of play? Currently, all the characters stats are for combat, so the choice is basically whether you want to do a lot of damage and a lot of dodging or more tanking. But perhaps something could be changed to make some characters more suitable for others for exploration and the strategic game? I'm not sure if this would be more stats (e.g., a dexterity that would let you jump higher and get closer to enemies without being noticed) or special abilities (say, being able to produce to boost food production in the settlement where you end turn).
I certainly wouldn't want there to be longer-term class choices, as in a Western-style RPG; AVWW is all about never having to start a new world. But being able to look at the selection screen and say, hmm, I think I might try to fight less and do some more exploring this time around, I'll go for this character, seems like it could add a real strategic layer.
