I agree with you. It is hard just to see when/if you are shooting.

its very difficult to judge range... I usually don't use the class tho

It's to be used like a shotgun, so you're not really supposed to care where the shot goes, as long as you fire it point-blank at someone it will do maximum damage.  If you want to be more accurate use the bow.

Well, I don't dispute the use of the Ranger, but only the visual appearance of it's weapon when firing.

I thought you "big" gripe would be that it's "fat" Princess, damn you.

However aren't the guns supposed to be super retro, with the gun powder at the bottom of the barrel and the pressure fires the bullet so there'd be no flash?

My big issue is the combat full-stop: I find that combat comes down to lock on and circling each other while hitting Square. Seems very hit or miss who actually gets the kill. Still, I can't think of a better way for them to tackle the mechanic.

I'd probably put it down to lag myself.

I've had times when I've been playing as a ranger and been moving and shooting like mad, Only to find that every shot I take has no visuals at all, and doesn't connect (something that gets me killed a lot) and then they happen, anything up to about 5 seconds later, from were I was... simply unacceptable.

I'd like to report that the good people at Titan studios answered my e-mail and are looking into this.

nice.  I was confused because I had seen the muzzle flash I think... but you're saying in multiplayer it doesn't show up or something?  I haven't really tried that so I wouldn't know.