Hi everyone, the next update is nearly ready and so I'm making it available early in the usual public preview branch on Steam. This update adds a bunch of things, including a new Croaker quest line and a sort of new game plus option that allows you to play through the campaign again with your end-game stuff.
This is compatible with old saves, and should be mostly portable back to the previous version of the game if you switch off the beta though, any new items or boats that you acquired would be lost.
A big thank you to everyone who has continued to play and engage with the game! We've just hit 3 years since the release and it's been really fun to see everyone enjoying it!
Joining the beta
If you have the game on Steam and would like to opt-in to the beta, you can do so by right-clicking the game in your Library, selecting Properties > Betas, and choosing `public_preview` from the dropdown. You'll see `1.7.1` at the bottom right of the in-game options screen if you're on the beta.
Bug reporting
If you find a bug you can report it directly from the game, using the 'Feedback' option found in the pause menu. This is helpful for me as it includes a copy of your save file, the log, and a screenshot which makes it much easier for me to find and fix the bug.
Croaker Expansion
A new quest for the Croakers now begins shortly after defeating the boss in Autumn Isles (along with completing either the Green Ruins or Frigid Sea). The quest involves building a Command Center for the Croakers and defending it against an assault from the Tekk Clan, who have developed a new weapon.
Croaker Flagship
The Croaker Flagship is a new vessel acquirable via the added quest line. It has frog foot paddles which give it powered movement even when under sail.
Tekk Walkers
The Tekk Clan have a new item in their arsenal, the Tekk Walker, which is a giant walking mech with lasers on it. They're encountered during the new quest line, and rarely out in the Autumn Isles and surrounding Deepblue.
Angler Bait Shop
A new building which can be constructed as part of the Croaker Command Center quest. Here you can trade fish for specialized bait which makes catching new fish from the relevant biome much more likely. Fishing bait is automatically used when it is relevant.
Croaker Cantina
A constructable location which allows you to play Blowfish with a number of different NPCs. This is huge for Blowfish enjoyers.
Fish Pond
A fun little vanity building which you can store any number of fish in and watch them swim around in it. A fun way to show off your favorite catches! Or just see how many yuckfish you can cram in there.
New Game Plus-ish
You can now choose to start a "new" game within your existing completed save by talking to Doc Zissoo after the credits sequence. This will regenerate the world map, effectively resetting all quest and story progress, while retaining all of your fleet, inventory, and stored boats. The map will be regenerated with a new seed so things will be in different places.
Revised Map Rumor Screen
The rumors panel in the world map has been redesigned to better act as a browsable "quest log" which is helpful when trying to figure out what to do next. The rumors list can be browsed by pressing tab or the "View Rumors" button. When browsing rumors the relevant location will be automatically selected in the world map.
1.7.1 Beta Changelog
- New: Add Tekk Walker enemy type to Tekk Clan faction
- New: Add Croaker Base quest line
- New: Add player-sailable Croaker Flagship
- New: Add Frog Logs resource item
- New: Add floating drift wood to Deepblue as a source of Frog Logs
- New: Player constructable buildings system
- New: Fishing bait items and mechanic
- New: Play blowfish with a variety of NPCs
- Improvement: Redesigned rumors view in the world map
- Improvement: Anglers and Croakers are hireable as sailors from various locations within their biomes
- Improvement: Hireable sailors can now be hired even when the player ship has a full crew, and will be put below deck
- Bugfix: Fix soft lock when selecting Deepblue as a Free Sail location.
- Bugfix: Case where turning in smuggled goods to the Croakers could cause a softlock when outside the bounds of the location
- Bugfix: Sail trim UI sometimes would display a non-optimal trim position for your sails
- Bugfix: Attempting to equip two of the same mod would cause one to disappear
- Bugfix: Fix case where enemies could remain hostile during a cutscene or menu like the shop