That's right, after 3+ years of development, including multiple betas and gameplay overhauls, Mage Tower 2 is FINALLY releasing into Early Access on July 26th, 2023!
If you wishlisted this a long time ago, or played one of the old betas from 2021-2022, here are the new gameplay features that have been implemented in the 2023 version:
A Complete Combat Overhaul
We removed the 2nd player, and now it's just you against a deck of monsters. Each turn a new wave of monsters attacks, just like in a tower defense game. Use your spells to fight them off, and survive against all the waves to achieve victory. New monster types (such as "Spellcaster", "Familiar", and "Miniboss") change things up from turn to turn.
New Card Mechanics
Now you can cast "Level Up" cards which grow in power each time you play them. Or play "Scheme" cards which take several turns to activate, but have overpowered effects. Then there are "Wizardry" cards, which are one-time-use spells, but offer huge effects. Think of Wizardries as "mini-ultimates" that you save for just the right moment each battle.
Overworld Overhaul!
Visit towns to build buildings, and buy cards. Collect trade resources for special effects, or to draft any card you want (allowing for targeted, creative deckbuilding.) Discover Obelisks which give you powerful Artifacts. And more!
Dungeon Overhaul!
Dungeons now have specialized enemies that test specific facets of your deck (for example, an enemy whose monsters are immune to a certain damage type, or which summon 16 small enemies every turn.) A smart player plans their dungeon delves and routes based on their deck's strengths and weaknesses, and of course on which treasures they seek!
A LOT More Coming at Release!
So you DID play in the 2023 beta test and think you've seen it all, huh?!?! Wrong! Here's what's coming in release that wasn't in the beta:
Achievements
A robust achievement system with over 110 Achievements that tracks your stats, and rewards you for your progress. This gives the game a sense of progression, and makes losing more fun as you get to see how you've progressed on the achievement board.
Zadeus
After completing a run, you'll battle Zadeus itself... which has a massive monster deck of progressively increasing difficulty. While most bosses have 6 or 7 different monster cards in their deck, Zadeus has over 30! It's an epic end-game boss that truly tests the mettle of your deck.
You'll still "win" the run even if you die to Zadeus, so your goal is to see how far your deck can make it against the creature. Only the most overpowered and synergistic (or exploitative) decks will be able to conquer the otherworldly monstrosity known as ZADEUS.
Upgraded UI
Your hand of cards is now fanned out, easier to read, and offers the standard "drag and drop" interface to avoid misclicks. Monsters now forecast their abilities and spells, so it's easier to see what's going on. Many spells now have visual and sound FX. Overall the game is cleaner and plays more like a modern game.
Dungeons Upgraded (Again??)
There is a brand new pool of dungeon-exlusive "legendary" cards and artifacts. These offer super-powered effects that may make you rethink the entire structure of your deck. We've also made dungeons less empty. So now each dungeon delve is a run-defining decision with great risks and even greater rewards!
More Info Soon...
Right now we're developing and finalizing these new changes and systems. Leading up to release, we'll release more screenshots and gameplay footage. So stay tuned, and get ready for July 26th!!
-Brett
supermegagames.net