I've significantly updated the progression through the game so that you start with no abilities and gradually unlock them as you progress by collecting loot, completing katas/challenges, earning essence, etc.
The entire backend database structure has been overhauled to use the Steam Inventory Service heavily. Along the way, I've also implemented a bunch of QoL improvements based on feedback and some significant animation improvements.
The new ability crafting system lets you build a custom loadout from any abilities that you have unlocked. Abilities have a type and must be slotted into a matching slot. So for example, there are multiple "dodge" abilities but only 1 dodge slot so you can pick exactly one dodge for your loadout. You can have one kick, one dodge, two offhand abilities, two passives, and two warcries. You can also add a Kiai upgrade and there will be similar options for other slots in the future.
Because of the database changes this update comes with a reset of your cultivation upgrades, everyone will start from scratch. For this update, I am mainly focused on the new player and single-player experience so until the next patch, only single-player and the freeform server will be accessible.
Patch Notes:
- You now start with no abilities (not even kick/kiai/dodge) and unlock them by progressing through the game.
- There is a new interface for unlocking and equipping abilities that lets you make a custom loadout and an animated tutorial for using it.
- You now have a backpack that stores loot you collect which you can view by hitting B. At the end of a level, your backpack contents are added to your stash.
- Beginnings has some visual improvements and the tutorial text has been streamlined.
- All instructional text in all levels now uses rich text to add inline images and bolding/highlighting for increased clarity.
- Rewards for completing each challenge/kata and separate rewards for S grading them have been implemented. These rewards are used as requirements for various things in the ability system.
- Memories has had all of its instructions updated.
- The 2 secrets in Memories now give rewards.
- The animation system has been updated to use the new UE 5.4 system for foot placement along with a bunch of other tweaks that should make it look a lot more natural.
- All abilities now have detailed rich text tooltips that describe exactly what they do. You can view that from the ability menu on the cultivation tab, or by hitting "enter" while in the game and mousing over the icon in your hotbar.
- A few small UI changes that should make NPC behavior feel more natural when you attack immediately after they start blocking.
- Fixed a bug where alt-tabbing in and out of the game with multiple monitors that had different resolutions would cause visual glitches sometimes.
- Added a hit reaction sound to Aspiring Swordsmen.
- All challenges/katas now show your current grade in real time as you progress through them.
- Some of the ability recipes are not currently craftable and won't be until the next update comes out that updates the tower climb to match the new system. This update will add crafting areas to the tower and you will need to bring specific items to specific locations within the tower and combine them into higher-tier materials. Some ability recipes also have a T.B.D question mark item in their recipe, and can't be crafted yet.
- Fixed the ember heart blessing in memories.
- Fixed a bug in memories where in the final fight if you killed a statue, then died, and came back it wasn't respawning.
- A few minor visual bug fixes (a floating torch, a broken material on a piece of floor, etc).
- The game server now properly uses the Steam inventory service for essence as well, all previous server-side content is working. this was more work than one might think as Steam uses a different data format for their server API vs the client one.
- Misc. minor tweaks to text instructions and a few minor cosmetic changes.
I will be opening up a new playtest soon, don't forget to request access to be added to the list!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2321890/Swordai/
- Alex