Hello Squires! We're landing a huge game update packed with new features that will completely change your experience with The Plucky Squire!
This update introduces two new game modes—Challenge Mode and Iron Squire Mode—along with new enemies, enemy variants, and minigame updates. So if you’ve think it was too easy, The Challenge Update might just change your mind.
Plus, we’re offering our biggest discount yet during the Steam Summer Sale!
Here’s the full list of new features and changes that you’ll find in The Challenge Update:
New Challenge Mode
Challenge Mode is a new game mode designed to test your skills with increased difficulty. This mode includes:
New enemies
Harder minigames
Harder bosses
Some layout changes for levels
The ability to fast forward through dialogue and
New Achievements
Remixed Pages
Pages with combat on have been reworked and side scrolling levels have new layouts.
Humgrump Desk Spawns
In the previous version of the game, we had Humgrump teleport some enemies into the level using his metamagic, but only in the book. We've now added these sequences to the desk too. These spawn in with VFX and a bubble that contains Humgrump's face. Additionally, Jot can get electrified on the desk.
New Metamagic Enemies
Following on from the above, we have the glowing metamagic variants of some of the base enemies. They have their own effects and materials on the desk, and new sprites in the book.
Barfer Bug
Rat
Goblin
Spear Trooper
Popuff
Challenge Mode Enemy Variants
We have some upgraded versions of the existing enemies. These are all across both desk and book.
Tough Goblin (just harder)
Exploding Goblins (run at you and explode)
Metal Goblins (indestructible)
Exploding Jumper bugs
Tough Namastarlings (just harder)
There's a new tough book-only enemy, the Rock Golem, which appears from Chapter 2.
More Difficult Minigame Patterns
All of the minigames, apart from the Sneak C09 game, Fish Grabbing and the C04 Fantasy Card Game have new difficulty settings and layouts. Buttergrump also has new patterns. There are little bits of extra functionality in some of these games as a result, such as ghost Archery bugs and new projectiles in Buttergrump.
New Iron Squire Mode
The Plucky Squire with permadeath! This is essentially Challenge Mode but with no continues. As soon as you die in Iron Squire Mode, your save is deleted, and you are sent to a new game over screen. We have one each for desk and the book.
Four New Achievements
There have been five Challenge Mode-specific achievements added.
Complete Challenge Mode: Pops up at the same point that the Adventure/Story Mode one pops up. It also auto-completes the Adventure/Story Mode too.
Get to Artia in Iron Squire Mode: This triggers at the end of C04 when the camera pans across to show Artia.
Complete all corrupted (Humgrump) Challenge Mode minigames (without skipping)
Boxing
Volleyball
Potion pop
Complete the Big Brawl at the end of C09 without dying.
Dialogue Fast Forward
You can hold the X button or Space Bar to fast forward through all dialogue without repeatedly pressing for each box that pops up.
The dev team has set up a new form so you can directly send in bug and issue reports to them. If you are encountering problems in the game on the latest versions, please send them over here:
The Plucky Squire Public Bug Submission Form
Finally, to celebrate, The Plucky Squire is now 35% OFF in the Steam Summer Sale — our biggest discount yet! Help us spread the word!
That's all for now, Squires! We hope you enjoy this new adventure!