I played this game since the CBT and have dropped it twice, mostly because the grind was getting really boring. Last time I played was, I don't really remember, last year, maybe? I might want to go back though, because the design and atmosphere of this game is really something that I always remember fondly.

So, how is the game now? I've heard that it got easier and many game mechanics are made to be more convenient, which is good IMO. But in your experience, do you find that the game becomes more fun as it progresses? Is the playerbase still growing? What is the game's currently most glaring issues?

I can only say that the playerbase is going down a bit. And while the game seems to be easier than before, late game content still requires much grinding (I'm looking at you Lunar Spirit Seal... and lvl 117 Fused magatama. And the cap lvl)

This is just my view so I'm sure someone else will cover this better.

As for the current state of the game's existent of live streaming... it's completely dying off... You may seen a new low level live streaming the game, and the next day... they stopped live streaming afterwards to the point where they're no longer progressing on. Not that I blame them or anything; the audience themselves are bored watching the same thing. I only watched those current live streams on PS4 players. XB1 is so dead, and PC is in between. That's all I know since I watch daily time to time. If yall excuse me, I'm gonna make an Onigiri petition of making all items tradeable... Not like the devs want my lunch money or anything... PS4 still has no Bazaar while YOGurt event still in play. :\