You've asked for it for a while, and we're finally delivering - Quad Element Towers a new Co-op Map! Also arriving in this patch are some overdue Achievements for Chapter 3, Ranked Queue, Atlantis actually getting skinned, bug fixes, and more. Read on for the full notes!
Volcano
Look familiar? It should, if you've played Chapter 3 all the way through. The map from Mission 21 has been converted into a Co-op Map! Compared to the other two maps, it's pretty unusual, but once you get the hang of it, all the crossing paths allows for some unique co-op tactics. And if you're wondering how that 3-minute long path works, well... look forward to a speedy surprise!
Atlantis
Of course, we wouldn't release a 3rd map for Co-op without finishing the second one. It only took over half a year, but it's finally been overhauled!
A perfect blend of greenery, emerald waters, and death.
New Features
- Added a Paths setting for Co-op Maps. Instead of auto-adjusting based on whether you had 1-4 Players or 5-8 Players, you get three options:
- Scaling: The number of paths equals the number of players. You get 25 Lives * Player Count. This is the new default option.
- 4 Paths: Forces there to be 4 Paths active, regardless of player count. You get 100 Lives.
- 8 Paths: Forces there to be 8 Paths active, regardless of player count. You get 200 Lives.
- Each Co-op Map now comes with a Reversed version, flipping where creeps spawn and exit.
- Find Match for Ranked now throws you into a Ranked Queue, meaning you can finally go do other things while waiting.
- When it finds a game, it should give you a Ranked Notification to confirm to.
- Do note that if you enter an online game (whether it's singleplayer or multiplayer), it'll automatically boot you from the queue.
- The option to disable Interest has returned!
That's not how I remember this map...
Achievements & Cosmetics
- Chapter 3 Achievements added:
- Ungrounded: Beat Mission 15 on Hard without having Earth or Nature Elements in your Loadout
- Stuck Together: Beat Mission 16 on Hard with all towers built within 1 space of an existing tower
- Autumn Blitz: Beat Mission 17 on Very Hard in 24 Minutes or less
- Too Close for Comfort: Beat Mission 18 on Hard without using 1150 Range (or higher) Towers
- Impenetrable Defense: Beat Mission 19 on Hard without losing any lives
- Perfect Plan: Beat Mission 20 on Hard without selling your towers, even during Wave Breaks
- Absolute Knowledge: Beat Mission 21 on Normal using only Level 1 Towers
- Sorcerer: Clear all Missions in Chapter 3
- Triumph: Get 4 Stars on every Chapter 3 Mission
- 3 New Builders added:
- Forest Spirit - Requires Level 35
- Griffin - Requires Level 40
- Lava Elemental - Requires Level 45
More builders, more ways to customize!
Improvements
- Loading Screen now features randomized Tips and tidbits. Feel free to suggest more messages on our Discord server.
- Certain paths on Map Variants now move slower, making Tropical, Autumn, Wasteland, & Winter a bit more fair.
- Anytime someone leaks, there's now a ping on the mini-map.
- Adjusted Chapter 4 message to list the newly delayed release date of March 19th.
- The Long War option is no longer on by default for 1v1 War.
- Teams, Co-op & War now note that they're not eligible for leaderboard submissions.
- Once again, we blame Steam Leaderboards for the restriction. Eventually, we may try to fix this, but it's gonna be a while.
Bug Fixes
- Fixed a freeze error that could happen with Flamethrower, Vapor & Roots on any map with elevation changes (particularly Volcano).
- Fixed a bug where a creep could drop to negative HP and result in an unwinnable game.
- This potentially fixes another issue where, upon game over, the game doesn't "end".
- Fixed that Leaderboard crash error that kept getting reported over and over.
- You may notice, when opening the game, the Leaderboard button is greyed out for a few seconds. This is just so it has a chance to connect to Steam so that it won't explode spontaneously.
- Fixed Campaign Achievements being doable on Easy difficulty.
- Fixed creeps on the minimap flying off the map if they moved vertically up or down.
It can get pretty hectic on the Volcano.
With this, that's the last content patch of Early Access! We still have a few more patches in store before Official Release (aka Version 1.00), but in terms of pure content, this is the last batch.
In a few weeks, we'll be addressing 0.63's Balance changes - they were in the right direction, buuut it needs to be ironed out a bit more. We'll also finally change two specific towers that we've finally deemed impossible to balance. Classic as they may be, they're breaking the game too hard (you know which two).
In the meantime, enjoy the updates to Co-op Mode and all the other Achievements and improvements this patch!
