How am I handling the loss? Not well. Not well at all. After looking at, trying out so many other games, I truly realize the unique wonderfulness that was COX. We talk a lot about the community, and yes, that was a key part of the game, but ultimately, I've found, that the actual game itself is irreplaceable. I can't find another game that simply logging on to makes me smile, makes me happy. I can't find another game that is as elegant and beautiful (working with the CO interface in all its clunky glory awakened me to that), nor one that that's basic level of engagement with toon builds was so intuitive and easy. Sure, you could make your build as complex and fabulous as you wanted, but a basic, SO or IO build would serve you well. It wasn't a nightmare to learn the recipes--they were right there, get these ingredients, and viola! the magic happens. Not so with other games where you have to guess or research what runes/gems/shiny crap combines to make something (hopefully better, but who knows?). Your build? Pick these powers and you can rock it! Or, if you pick wrong, respec ahoy! (So few games offer respecs, a thing I took totally for granted with COX).
I. Miss. Flying. I miss regular flight, and I miss my rocket/hover board. I loved that hoverboard thing so much.
I miss just running missions without umpteen mini-movies (I hate, really hate, cut scenes, and every freaking game has them, it seems).
I miss my friends. I had two groups that I ran with regularly and another two that I ran with at set days/times. I miss that. They've all gone on to different games that I can't stand (SWTOR and CO mostly), but I just can't stand either and am heading, in the New Year, I think to TSW. And yes, just mentioning the New Year makes me think nostalgically of the hideous Baby New Year . . . . heh.