The enemy aggression has dropped since the beginning of the game. There was even an update a while ago that stated that.
Other than that, I really don't agree that shorter is easier. It's just that, shorter, not exactly easier. I think it's actually more time consuming when you have to take time leveling up weapons because there's less of the Pearl quest to work on the weapons.
We all have different views about how the game has changed. Some say that from their experiences it's easier, some say it's harder. One persons' opinion doesn't make all the others wrong. It's just our experience, not everyone elses.
I personally think the game has been really chaotic every since the updates after SvS. I thought it was really nice when the game first came out but then they decided to go back and change everything. Sure, some things in the Pearl Quest but why shorten the whole quest? Do they want people to get bored earlier? Yes, good money maker.
Ah, well. We can't really complain since the Pearl Quest IS the first story quest. For all any of us know they went back(I think Zep said this) to make it easier on new players. If they make the second story quest harder(longer) then I'll be happy.
