Hey, folks! It is with great pleasure to return to the dev-log updates with the anniversary post #30 and what better way to celebrate than to unveil the curtain on the upcoming BIG content update - Akatsurai, the lands of the Lords of the Rising Sun!
The Lords of the Rising Sun hold absolute power over the exotic kingdom of Akatsurai. But proud warrior clans constantly seek to overthrow them. In the turmoil of war there are countless opportunities for a quick-witted adventurer. Will you spy for the Shogun? Will you pledge your life to the Sovereign as one of his chivalrous knights? Or just play one side against the other in your pursuit of riches and power?
Track down the elusive, raven-winged Tengu to learn the secret arts of sorcery and swordplay. Defeat the vampires, skilled in martial arts, who guard the Lost Tomb of the Necromancer. Enter the dreadful cloisters of the Noboro Monastery, where you will fight the most dangerous opponent of all - yourself...
There are new powerful enemies in town. Their unique special abilities might make the Dragon fight look like a child's play. But what more than the joy to defeat them? Well, the spoils of war, of course. New loot like nothing the lands of Harkuna have seen.
There will be some new mechanics such as Bleed with several weapons such as the throwable Shuriken, a legendary dagger and a new passive skill embracing it.
In Akatsurai you can get special deals on cargo trades if you make the right friends. You can try and impress swordsmiths in order to gain access to local gear.
But the best is collecting the myths, lore and world building pieces together, discover the true wonders of these isles and change your characters' story forever.
For the patient explorers there will be new achievements to hunt!
What's the current progress on all that?
The contents of the entire book 6 (the gamebook the update is based on) are all scripted and ready. All new items are in the build. Just coded some of the most powerful artefacts in the game and compiling new quests while the artist is rendering the world map in detail.
Backgrounds and enemies still need final touches but I will be implementing the sketches that I have starting from next week in order to test combat and start coding their abilities.
Alright, alright, but when exactly?
I'll test some more myself and will prepare the DLC for closed beta testing within the Discord community towards the end of November.
Unforunately I cannot predict when exactly will be the release date but I am aiming to do it early December before the Winter Sale. This will be just in time for the Turn-based Fest which Fabled Lands will participate in, but more on that in a new post.
The best indicator will be how the beta testing will wrap up. If all is in good state, I can replace the art assets when they are done quickly and verify these areas. If things go south, I'll have to postpone for next year.
A honorary mention
I was taken aback this week when a member from the communty posted this magnificent walk-through on how to get every achievement in the game on Ironman mode WITHOUT DYING. Without even using a resurrection deal.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2849188388
Yes, it is possible to do it, so never give up beating the dice, never surrender! As always, make sure to smash that wishlist button to make sure you DON'T MISS on all the action!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1299620/Fabled_Lands/