We have updated the Beta for more feedback consideration, please give it a shot and let us know how we're doing!
Additionally, we spun off our new Demo page for the Beta. Please leave a review to let us know how you feel about it! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2573790/Astral_Throne_Beta/
Update Notes for 0.5.0:
New World Map
We felt the old, linear World Map wasn't working as well as we hoped, so we opened it up.
The new World Map is less linear and gives you a lot more choice in the path you want to take through the Acts. A new tutorial sequence should tell you everything you need to know.
New Encounters
- The "Merchant" encounter has been removed
- Added a new "Blacksmith" shop encounter, to buy physical weapons, land mounts, consumables, and memories
- Added a new "Atelier" shop encounter, to buy magical weapons, flying mounts, consumables, and memories
- Added a new "Alchemist" shop encounter, to transmute items into new items
- Added a new "Trainer" encounter, where you can buy stat and class-changing items
- Added a new "Treasure" encounter, where you get 1-4 pieces of loot
- Added a food item to "Campfire" encounters, and moved the story sequence to after the end of the Act
- Added a new "Arena" combat encounter, explained below
Subclasses
Units (both friend and foe) can be given a subclass based on any of the game's classes. Subclasses come with changes to a Unit's stats, growths, and available skill sets.
You can buy subclass items for your Units at Trainers, and some enemies can have subclasses of their own.
The Arena
A new encounter has been added to the World Map: The Arena.
In The Arena, you can choose between a nonlethal sparring match or a battle to the death for extra rewards. The only catch is that Hero Units can't fight, you must only use your Militia.
Combat Encounter Randomization
Combat encounters have some new randomization applied to them.
Some enemies' classes, weapons, items, and loot can change between runs, but not everyone.
Recruitable Militia can also be found in more spots in encounters as well.
Random Events
"?" encounters have been removed from the game. Instead, travelling between encounters can have you run into a random event. These come in 4 types:
- Loot Events, which can hand your team items or memories.
- Status Events, which can bless team members with buffs or inflict debuffs on them
- Crossroad Events, which can present a small list of choices that have costs, bonuses, or both
- Story Events, which present a small story vignette and offers choices that have both story and gameplay effects
Story
The game's story has been entirely rewritten. It is now longer and contains more opportunities for branches. The new World Map has changed the story format, and the conversation your team has around the campfire has been moved to after finishing the Act.
Incidents that change the story of the run have become more obvious, and each Militia Unit now has a little story associated with them.
Misc.
- More skills, memories, and status effects
- Shop-style encounters now take place in a 3D environment instead of just a menu
- Rebalance due to the world map changes and encounter randomization
- Units have more story info in their Status menu
- Bug fixes
- Polish
Next Update will be for the Next Fest in October, see you there!