New Enemies
To make every dungeon feel more distinct and dynamic, we’ve introduced four new enemies, each bringing its own twist to combat:
• Undead Architect Ghostly builders of lost temples. They vanish into the air before launching sudden surprise attacks. Keep your senses sharp when the whispers of the cold air surrounds you.
• Mummified Worker The dead are restless. These ancient laborers crawl out from beneath the sands - slow but relentless. Their fallen allies rise again to drag you down.
• Electrical Probe Fast and cautious, this hovering construct keeps its distance while charging a deadly laser beam. Time your dodges carefully - its attacks strike faster than lightning!
• Mine-Planting Spider
This mechanical spider doesn’t attack directly. Instead, it scatters mines across the battlefield, making movement dangerous and tactical. Will you keep it alive to use its mines against your foes - or destroy it before you’re caught in its web of traps?
Offerings and Punished Expeditions System
For a while now, we’ve felt that expeditions needed a little shake-up. That’s why we’re introducing Cursed and Blessed Weapons, along with Offerings and Punishments that alter your expeditions in surprising ways.
Each time you return to the Bastion, every unlocked weapon has a chance to become Cursed or Blessed.
Cursed weapons bring powerful downsides but tempt you with risk and reward.
Blessed weapons offer divine perks that may turn the tide in your favor.
But most importantly, dungeons will now react to your weapon:
Entering with a cursed weapon will anger the gods, punishing your expedition.
Entering with a blessed one will grant you an offering.
Each Offering or Punishment changes your entire run - from boosted enemy spawn rates, stronger traps, hidden glyphs with ultra-powers, to increased loot drops and more.
And if you ever want to cleanse your weapon of its perks, there’s always a way... deep within the Discharged Dungeon.
This new system adds a huge layer of replayability and experimentation!
New Weapon: The Lantern and the Alchemist Bomb of Captured Souls
A weapon unlike any other - designed to challenge both your precision and your timing.
Lantern attacks lock you in place briefly but can strike multiple times if timed well.
Bomb attacks let you arc projectiles over low obstacles to stay at a distance - but you’ll need to master their range and explosion timing.
Will you set deadly traps… or miss your aim?
Glyph Ban System
Player agency has always been at the heart of modern roguelites, and we’re embracing that fully.
You can now ban specific glyphs from appearing during expeditions.
This gives you direct control over your strategy - decide what can and can’t appear in your build, experiment with synergies, and craft your ideal playstyle.
17 New Glyphs
To support the new build system, we’ve added 17 brand-new glyphs to discover and unlock. Mix, match, and experiment with endless new combinations and strategies-your build possibilities just grew massively.
Trial Arenas
For a long time, we wanted to change up the rhythm of dungeon progression and differentiate all levels. Enter the new Trial Arenas.
Roughly halfway through the second level of each dungeon, you’ll now find an optional challenge zone. Hold the area while waves of enemies attack!
Hold the zones successfully, and you’ll earn the right to choose one powerful reward - but beware: all unchosen rewards will be destroyed.
This new feature not only breaks up the level structure with unique elevations and layouts, but also adds much-needed tension and decision-making mid-run.
Small Fixes & Improvements
Improved mouse interactivity in certain UI menus
Fixed fake lighting issues on corpses of enemies
Corrected sound effects for some enemies
Visual adjustments and polish across multiple scenes
...and many smaller unlisted fixes
Thank you all for your continued feedback and support.
This update marks a major milestone for The Book of Aaru - and we can’t wait to see what builds, challenges, and stories you create with these new systems.
Care to share a feedback about this update? Visit us on discrod! https://discord.gg/UV72k3h7hy