Feedback suggested that the very early game could benefit from additional combat variety so build 1.13 adds two completely new gadgets and significantly improves the Blink gadget to make it far more responsive and versatile.
Improved Blink
Instead of blinking a relative distance based on a ship's current direction and speed, Blink now teleports a set distance in the direction that the ship is facing. Your ship's speed is retained after the Blink but the direction of movement after blinking is now changed to match the direction of the Blink.
Additionally, if you are already holding one or more thrust keys (Forward, backwards, and any of the four strafe directions), Blink will instead teleport in that direction.
For example:
- Left Strafe + Blink = Blink Left
- Right Strafe + Forward + Blink = Blink diagonally forwards and to the right.
- Reverse + Blink = Blink backwards
These changes make Blink instantly responsive and much more predictable, opening up far more versatility to the way Blink can be used during combat.
New Gadget added - Rebound
Rebound is the first totally new gadget. Once installed it causes projectiles from certain weapons to bounce off anything that doesn't take damage.
- Rebound is a level 1 gadget and can be unlocked soon after starting the game.
- Weapons affected : Main Guns, Inferno Gun, Flak Cannon
- Various versions of this upgrade unlock as you progress through the game.
- Version 1 allows one bounce, V2 allows two bounces, etc.
- Rebound is also stackable. Eg. Install two Version 1 upgrades and bullets will bounce twice.
New Gadget : Time Warp
The second new gadget added in this build, Time Warp, dynamically slows the passage of time once activated. Think of it as NeonXSZ's version of bullet time.
- The first version should be available to loot or buy at around level 5.
- Does not slow down turn/aiming speed.
- Stackable: Activating one Time Warp gadget, will activate all Time Warp gadgets currently installed with their time durations stacked together.
- With two high level versions of Time Warp installed, it's possible for the duration of the effect to last for more than 10 seconds.
Other Changes
- Fixed a new issue that caused 'visual' stutter (not framerate related stutter) when running the game significantly below 100% gamespeed.
- Added negative audio sound effect if trying to activate any gadget without sufficient energy.
Combined with the existing early game gadgets (Gyro Shield, Drones, and Electrocute) and the many other existing upgrades, the first few hours of gameplay now offer far more build diversity and combat variety.