Ok ok its not that crazy, but there has been a lot going on under the hood since the demo.
This update brings demo changes to the test branch. As well as many design overhauls to systems, weapons, and even the games structure.
CUSTOM SANDRIPPER LOADOUTS
-Start each run with any weapon combination you want! The shed now functions as a true workspace for your Sandripper. Weapons can be unlocked for use in the shed by finding and equipping them. On release, unlockable alternate Sandripper styles will also be equipped here. Currently, most of the weapon preview videos are missing/outdated.
NEW WEAPON PICKUP METHOD
-Picking up weapons is now done by pressing Q or E (X or B on gamepad) to equip it to either the left or right slot respectively. Looking in the direction of a weapon pickup while holding down an equip button will pull that weapon toward you and automatically equip it. Swapping your weapon's sides has been moved from Q to R for keyboard users.
MISC QUALITY OF LIFE CHANGES
-Your engine can no longer overheat.
-Out of bounds weapons and items automatically fall back into the play area.
-Game end screen now displays personal bests with some nice visual effects.
-Fixed wonky camera behaviour around the area border, also toned down the "camera leash" effect.
-Better UI elements (including the cursor) and camera scaling for screens other than 16:9/1080p.
-Improved aiming, aim assist, and dead zones for gamepad users. Aim assist no longer applies a score penalty.
-Fixed a lot of issues caused by using a gamepad and m&k at the same time. UI should always display the correct info for whichever peripheral is currently in use.
-Adjusted camera behaviours for more fluidity and view distance.
-More feedback relating to your resources (the state of your ammo and fuel reserves)
-Fences no longer interrupt every type of projectile.
-Ammo pods can now be cracked open by running into them without boosting.
-Damage numbers are now disabled by default, but when toggled on they last much longer and are now 100% accurate. Mainly meant for testing.
-Getting hit no longer deletes the bullets you just fired.
ENEMIES
-Basic speeder enemies now have a shielded variant.
-Laser tanks move quicker but slow down to fire. Their firing/targeting has been tweaked to allow you to run directly away from them if you wish. Their beams are now a little bit deadlier but are a little easier to avoid.
WEAPONS
-Weapons now have a minimum wave they can appear at.
-NEW: Plasma Rifle.
-NEW: Gatling Gun.
-REMAKE: Neutrino Cannon. Behaves more like a non-Newtonian shrapnel cannon, and has received a big JUICE enhancement.
-REMAKE: Mag Cannon. Mechanically its no different, but functionally its nothing like it was. Uncharged its a hot goopy plasma shotgun. Fully charged its a properly powerful railgun.
-Slam Cannon projectiles are now cheaper to fire and knock enemies backwards. With shielded enemies receiving the most punch.
-SMG uses more ammo, has more base spread, a slower fire rate, and less range. BUT THATS NOT ALL, increasing your engine heat reverses all these effects (except ammo cost), turning it into a minigun.
-The Plasminigun and Microwave beam cool down quicker when not overheated.
-Microwave beam's basic shots consume much less ammo.
-REMOVED: The Roach. May it rest in peace.
UPGRADES
-ALTERED: Expensive Round's ammo consumption penalty reduced to 25% from 50%.
-REMOVED: Cataclysmic compression.
-REMOVED: Ripdrive 2.0.
-THE GREAT RETURN: Tungsten Obliterator.
-NEW: Cataclysmic Collapser. Handle with care.
-NEW: Even Bigger Mag.
-NEW: Extremely Large Mag.
-NEW: Pulse-jet Afterburner.
-CHANGE: Picking a core-replacing upgrade no longer locks you out of switching to a different core replacer.
-The timing of most of the ammo related upgrades have been shuffled around
I've been working on this one for so long I've probably missed a bunch of stuff. And bugs, expect some bugs.
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CHANGES CARRIED OVER FROM THE PREVIOUS DEMO BUILD
-The only requirement for dumping the core is to have enough fuel. Getting your engine "hot enough" is no longer required.
-The POWER of your core dump INCREASES with engine heat.
The engine heat bar has been visually overhauled to reflect the changes.
-Microwave beam's normal shots deal more damage (~30 -> ~45)
-Dragons Rage shield damage obliterated (3 -> 0.5)
-Gunship model added
-During the early rounds, a health truck will always spawn if you've taken damage.
-UI pop up when a controller is connected / disconnected
-Default enemy outline size increased +10%
-Default volume increased, maximum volume doubled