This update introduces the Challenge Cave and addresses the two most reported issues with PixelQuest - Herb's Adventure: the open-ended story and the size of the skill trees.
The Challenge Cave
The challenge cave is a new game mode where you'll face a series of increasingly difficult fights while leveling up far beyond what's typically achievable in a normal playthrough. But beware, the dangers found deep within the cave are also unmatched in the normal game. Can you make it to the end?
The challenge cave unlocks after completing the main story once. It can also be unlocked directly from the settings menu. You can continue with your character from the main game or start a new challenge run from level 1 via the main menu.
A New Ending
The story of PixelQuest - Herb's Adventure was originally conceived as part of a larger storyline and ended in a way that would allow for a seamless continuation at a later point. From your feedback, I now understand that's not what many players expect from an indie game and have changed the final part of the game to give Herb's story a proper conclusion.
I've also removed a few instances of where locations or dialogs hinted at events outside of this game's storyline. I hope that these changes reduce the impression of the game being unfinished and lead to a more satisfying overall experience.
Since this makes a couple of achievements obsolete, there is an option in the settings menu to switch back to the open-ended story, where these achievements can still be obtained.
Skill Tree Display
I originally designed the skill trees in a way that would make it unlikely to run out of things to unlock even when putting all points into the same branch and finishing the game at an above-average level. However, I now understand it can be frustrating to not be able to unlock everything you want during a normal playthrough.
To address this, skill trees are now only visible up to a few levels ahead of what is currently unlocked. This makes them look much smaller and should hopefully lessen the perception of unfulfilled promises. The visible section grows as you unlock perks, so all previous techs and spells are still obtainable.
If you prefer to plan your builds way in advance, there is a setting to switch back to the old way of always showing the entire trees.
Other Fixes
- Added a tutorial message about being able to save on the world map.
- Added an NPC comment on how to increase maximum TP and SP (increase your skill/talent).
- Added option for disabling tutorial messages.
- Fixed issues with conjuring multiple walls of stone simultaneously.
- Fixed allies not losing their status effects upon death (and still being poisoned after being revived).
- Fixed fork attacks not working as expected.
- Fixed being able to walk off the tower balcony into thin air when no one was looking.
- Fixed a possible softlock if a die roll completes before the player turn begins.