Hey gang!
Just shipped the 09-27 Content Update 👍
This was the last pre-Early Access Content Update!
Early Access for Hand Cannon Virtuoso will go live this Wednesday 09/30 at around 12pm PST!
Can't thank all of you who took time out of your lives to try the beta enough - your support has been extremely motivating and the game is going into Early Access in great shape as a result of your feedback. If you've been enjoying the beta and know anyone at all who you think might be interested, spreading the word about launch is a great way to support the game!
Anyways, here's what's new:
New Content
New Death/Respawn Experience: The Infirmary
The Infirmary was the last bit of the core gameplay loop I really wanted to get in before Early Access.
Basically, The Infirmary is an end-of-run experience that clarifies how you performed (end of run stats pertaining to total run time, floors cleared, resources collected, etc.), what you earned (e.g. communicating if you unlocked new Cards or if not how many more Stars you need), and what you can do next (start a new climb or go back to The Lobby).
I'm hoping The Infirmary will make the core gameplay loop clearer and more rewarding for players, giving you a clear sense of how your actions are contributing to your progression.
New Room Type: Crystal Trials!
One of my core goals for Content Updates is to continuously expand the variety challenges you need to overcome.
This Content Update adds a new type of Combat Test where you must destroy an energy crystal that is guarded by enemies. The longer you linger, the more powerful the crystal grows, firing ever more powerful blasts of energy in your direction.
I hope you have a blast with this new room type. It appears as both a Regular and Elite Combat Test. If you have ideas for additional room types you'd like to see please send them my way in the Discord.
New Skill Mechanics: Enemies take more damage based on where you shoot them
Headshots now deal more damage to all enemies! Arms/Legs deal less damage. Chest shots deal normal damage. Adds more skill to gameplay I think, really enjoying it so far.
New Visual Design for Cards
Cards now actually look like uh...Cards. I hope this adds to the deck building feel of the game.
Feedback and Bugs Fixed
Aside from new content, this update has balance work, bug fixes, and polish. Much of the changes are based on great feedback from Discord community members playing the beta, so a big thank you to those folks.
Balance
- Buffed Pistol Shot
- Floor 1 is a _lot_ easier
- Balanced drop rates of Cards based on Floor (no more Floor 1 Legendary shotguns)
- Relaxed damage scaling for all floors (Floor 2 enemies should no longer 1 shot you :)
- Boss fight wins drop more stars the higher you climb.
- Removed stupidly unfair Elite Combat Test room with a tiny platform and lava.
- Nerfed Sniper and Leprechaun a bit.
- Decreases cast time for powers (Rage, Molten Core, etc.)
- Made Perfect Processing and Overclock rarer.
Polish
- Comfort: Adds option to control Booster Direction via HMD instead of hands.
- Comfort: Adds optional non-grip button for Booster thrust to all controllers (for users who prefer that to grip).
- Made exploding cubes look more dangerous so less people blow themselves up.
- Adds delay before Bosses start attacking you
- Enemies stop attacking you after you die.
- Pistol Shot no longer drops as a reward
- Makes the orientation video skippable when starting a new game.
- Reduces knockback from enemy explosives
- Adds some new tips to loading screens
- Adds courtesy warning screen for players first booting the game.
Bug Fixes
- Fix bug that was causing unintentional scene changes on WMR.
- Fixes Engineer Perk
- Fixed bug that was allowing enemies to shoot under ramp in one room.
- You can no longer Dash after you die.
- Fixes bug that was causing music tracks to fail to play when cross fading.
- Fixes bug causing unlocking Phantom Fists to fail
- Fixes lighting issues in loading screen
- Fixes some, but not all, issues with turrets.
How to Play
Wishlist the game and snag a copy when Early Access launch starts on 09/30! I'd love to hear what you think and hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy hacking on the game. Just remember the game is in Early Access, so if that's not your style you might prefer to hold off for the full 1.0 release about a year from now. That said, grabbing a copy during Early Access will help support continued development and enable me to make the game a lot better by listening to and incorporating your feedback.
If you do snag a copy be sure to join the Discord. Feel free to DM me (@Tadatoto) - I'd love to hear what you think and am available to help if you run into any issues.
Next up is a Patch with pre-launch bug fixes/polish before 09/30.
Next Content Update will ship ~2 weeks from now, 10/07.