As a returning player, I have a big gripe with the state of flashpoints. I remember when the game first launched and how cool it was to run through the storylines with randoms, selecting voicelines etc.
Im returning to SWTOR annually around May 4th for the story. Mechanically (combat-wise) its the same as any other MMO out there.
Multiple times i've queued up for flashpoints and not once has the group done them normally. They just skip through all the mobs, doing the whole FP in 15 minutes or so. Where is the fun in that?
I know im being salty, and hey, if you like to do it like that, do your thing. But it sucks for new/returning players on May 4th - not all flashpoints have a storymode and are too hard for 1 player