Doesn't ESO have this? Haven't touched newer MMOs since time is not my friend so the example I have is a pretty old one too, which is Cabal.
Can't really say much about this since I haven't really read those.
A lot of Maple's transformations are from NPC questlines.
Sadly this is the only answer, as difficult as it is because of the writing quality of this author(I've checked out their other work and hoo boy that one is also filled with questions for it's type of series)
Btw, I want to point out the worst offender: OSO (Only Sense Online). The game makes so little sense that it enrage me each time I read it.
"Enchantment (buffing magic) is useless because the range is short but mage need to be at the rear line" Said by the goddamn paladin fighting close quarter and using light magic.
Every other element 1st spell: fireball; ice spear and wind blade. Earth element first spell: close range explosion. It's not like it's the easiest element to throw a projectile in real life.
"Earth Magic is bad because the first spell is close range" but the second spell is an earth wall. Back lines never need cover isn't it?
The game launch. A few weeks after that the add an hunger system because people didn't use food enough. Yep, the playerbase will not be angry with addition of a new system that totally change the way you play it. Never happened before.
You need Magic Power + Magic Talent + Element talent to use magic. But if you are a warrior, you still need Magic Power talent to use active skill. Why isn't Magic power a base stats if more than 90% of the people need to have it?
The only way to make Archery viable is by using Alchemy. And naturally, the MC has it by chance.
The only way to make Enchant as a rear fighter useful is by using Hawk Eye. And once again, the MC has it by chance. (In addition, Hawk eye is really bad if the combo with Enchantment didn't exist)
Like I said, they consider Enchantment (buffing) trash. But levelling it a bit allow to permanently enchant items. And naturally, nobody know that except MC.
As reward from the 1st event, you could choose a sub area big enough to plant a forest. The MC has spent a lot to buy small field to grow plants but didn't judge useful to get this and instead chose a box that give a random material once a day. You main business is potion and food making. Growing more plant should be a no go.
I know that you need to make the plot convenient to the MC. But there is a limit.
