Demo V.8

Demo V.8:

We're redoing the Version numbers on the Demo, as we now have a clear goal of what the Demo's end will be. Initially we thought to consider the Demo done after this patch or the next, however Steam has recently updated their Demo system to allow for Demos to have their own pages with reviews. This gives us a pretty clear, though costly, goal for the game's demo later this year. For now, the Demo will remain linked to the main game's page as is though.

We took off a few weeks after the huge rush of getting things ready for OTK, but it's good to be back. We are going back to 1 month patches, although the Demo won't be seeing lots of new content after this patch. Most new content is focused on the Early Access build!

For this patch, there's been a number of changes to give both more options and randomness to the player's runs. There are now breakable walls to find, upgrades are more streamlined, and there is a new system of getting little "quests" within a run called a Prayer that will give large stat or money boosts.

In terms of different features left to implement into the game's Early Access, the list is pretty short. We want a few new minigames and types of battle rooms to round out the experience, and of course to put in the needed fishing game. Otherwise, the focus is on adding new content: rivals, bosses, enemies, powers, and generally beautifying Acts 2-4. The largest hurdle will be polish - generally making the game more clear in its intentions, tutorials, and of course, the dreaded UI.

UI as a whole has been awful. I don't have much experience with it, both in programming and art, so we expect the process to go slow. I also plan on doing a couple more performance runs on the game, but the complaints about the game running badly has luckily diminished in the last couple patches.

Patch Notes:

-Added breakable walls - be on the lookout!

-Prayers now give a quest to fulfill. Completing a Prayer gives stat or money boosts.

-New minigame: Drop the Ball

-Iris can move while charging

-SHIELD is no longer a regenerating resource

-Blessing Upgrades come with a stat upgrade. SKIP blessings changed to +10 HPMAX

-Iris can charge Thornballs for additional effects

-While charging, a number shows MANA required

-Bee Queen shoots projectiles. Charging Bees can be stunned. New enemy: Froglock

-New physics for knockback effects

-Dashing while attacking no longer cancels the dash

-Added more posters throughout the Labyrinth to switch out collected Abilities

-Lots of Power and Artifact rebalancing

-Upgrades and Seedlet Cages can now be destroyed by attacks

-New Difficulty System that turns on difficulty parameters after Ranking Up. Currently only 3 options, but will have many more

-New minor stat: Bounceback STR - affects the damage all deflected objects do

-New "Battle Over" Tracks and some new SFX courtesy of @SaiyaSounds 

-Game now automatically switches from Mouse Controls to Gamepad Controls depending on usage to prevent confusion

-Moved all equipment and most upgrades into the Temple for cohesion

-Added small effects to walking through and destroying bushes

-Misc effects, projectile, and background art updates

-Some new Audience Members