Early Access Update #7 (v0.1.7) is a very large update focusing on improving Chapter 2, the Randomizer, and many other features based on community feedback!
Chapter 2 has been adjusted to be much more approachable while still giving an authentic first step into the randomizer. 26 NPCs have had their dialogue updated to provide nuance and variety in Chapter 2, and most have had their dialogue further updated in the Randomizer. A lore based quest has been added and is given by your sister in Chapter 2. The Randomizer has had many improvements made, the "Enemy Nest" feature has been expanded and randomized, and various other fixes!
Fully detailed patch notes:
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New Chapter 2 Features and Improvements:
Chapter 2 has been updated with various features designed to ease players into their first randomizer (without being overly restrictive on randomizations or trivializing the overall experience).
- Player's will now learn "Enhanced Teleport" in place of "Teleport".
- Enhanced Teleport allows players to teleport to cities and "friendly" locations of interest on the world map, provided they have entered the location at least once. This is especially helpful when Dreskofel Castle (or other points of interest) are located very far away from Havenroc Castle, allowing players to utilize a closer staging ground for their next excursion.
- Your sister now gives you a random weapon (instead of any random piece of equipment) when you speak to her.
- Developer note: While random equipment leads to some more interesting outcomes, starting players with a weapon in Chapter 2 will help players feel more confident in confronting this new experience, especially in seeds where there are no immediate means of purchasing one.
- Player's will learn all spells by level 10 (instead of the standard level 14).
- Developer note: ~8% of the time, a player would reach level 10 without learning either heal spell. This applies to any two spells, like Magic Bolt/Blast for Mages or other high impact spells. While not catastrophic, this would often discourage players from exploration and expeditions, causing them to feel a bit stuck and engage in unfavorable grinds.
- The Font of Restoration (located in Havenroc Castle) is now working again thanks to your sister's efforts.
- Using it is identical to staying at an inn, but at no cost. This guarantees a source of healing if your closest town is an overly expensive inn.
- This change applies to not just Chapter 2, but the overall randomizer as well.
New Chapter 2 Dialogue and Improved Story Progression:
- 26 NPCs have had their dialogue updated to provide variety and nuance for Chapter 2. Many have also received additional adjustments to their dialogues in the Randomizer. In many cases these comprise of an additional phrase or two to along with the twist of some words to provide more flavor and character with context to Chapter 2 (and the Randomizer). NPCs that deliver dialogue that's critical to the completing main quest often have the least changes, as their reminders serve as the backbone of guidance to the player. NPCs that give hints, now give additional/revised hints that are in most cases more relevant to Chapter 2 and the Randomizer.
- Your Sister now has a lore based quest for you in Chapter 2. Bring her what she requests and you'll receive additional lore related to her. (She also has a new outfit).
- An NPC in Geshromir now reacts to you holding the Suntone.
- An NPC has been added to Geshromir, detailing the miner supply station and that they're responsible for restocking the chests.
Overall Randomizer Improvements (that also impact Chapter 2):
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Enemy location randomization changes:
- Havenroc's Safe Zone has been expanded and made a little bit safer (to provide smoother enemy progression).
- Previously: Havenroc starts on a "safe zone" containing "easy" enemies. The 8 surrounding zones can contain up to "medium" enemies.
- Now: Havenroc still starts on a "safe zone". However, the next 8 surrounding zones can contain up to "medium-" enemies, which is a slightly weaker pool. Additionally, the next 16 surrounding zones can contain "medium+" enemies, which a slightly stronger pool but still much more restricted than the general pool of enemies.
- Zone Clumping:
- Enemy zones (the 8x8 sections on the map) will now often be clumped together in groups of four. This makes easy, lucrative, or dangerous areas more discoverable and easier to engage/disengage with.
- Previously: 12 separate enemy zones were randomly placed across the world, meaning enemies would often change every 8 steps.
- Now: 12 separate enemy zones will often (but not always) be clumped together in groups of 4 (on average). This should make the distinct enemy zones more identifiable.
- Buddy System:
- Previously: Zones would populate 5 random enemies. Often, this would result in an 8x8 zone containing 5 completely different enemies. This made it difficult to track down specific targets and made encounters feel a bit too random, even when you stay in a single zone.
- Now: Zones populate 3 random enemies. Two of the enemies will be paired, increasing their likelihood of being encountered (hence, the "Buddy System"). The third enemy encounter will often be unique but it could also match one of the pairs. This should make easy, lucrative, or dangerous zones more predictable and identifiable (and aid in hunting down enemies for Talents). This change also applies to dungeon encounters.
- Dreskofel Dungeon Encounters:
- Previously: All 4 floors of Dreskofel Dungeon contained separate enemy groups for you to encounter. This made encounters in the dungeon feel a bit too random from floor to floor.
- Now: Floors 1&2 will share an enemy group. Floors 3&4 will share an enemy group. Combined with the Buddy System, this should make the randomizations of Dreskofel feel more distinct.
Developer note: Both Zone Clumping and the Buddy System make zones a bit easier to navigate and engage with (whether you're seeking or avoiding certain zones). They also make seeds a bit more memorable, as the enemy arrangements are more recognizable and feel more distinct. I'll be looking to make further adjustments as needed, but these changes should be a big step in the right direction. Be sure to let me know what you think as you try out seeds in v.0.1.7!
- I've adjusted the stat randomization algorithm, drastically reducing the chance of players getting 0 stats when leveling up. While the previous stat progression system was fair in terms of overall power, these empty level-ups made for incredibly disappointing moments.
- Previously: Leveling from 1-15 would result in '0000' growth ~.75 times/seed. Leveling from 1-20, would result in '0000' growth ~1.05 times/seed. (These averages indicate that you'd expect to see a level up with '0000' growth almost every run, meaning many players were regularly seeing two or more levels with '0000' growth!).
- Now: The odds of getting '0000' growth in a level has been drastically reduced. It's still possible to get low stat growth in a level, but a true '0000' should only happen once in ~100 runs or so. Overall Player power is roughly unchanged.
- Teleport Style : "Default" or "Enhanced"
- Sister's Gift: "AnyEquip" or "Weapon"
- Spells By: "LVL14" or "LVL10"
Randomized Stat progression:
New Randomizer Settings:
General Game Updates:
- Enemy Nests updated, expanded, and randomized!
- Enemy Nests now have a sprite to help indicate their existence and make them easier to find/remember.
- Enemy Nests are now randomized and can feature roughly any enemy above a Heavy Knight.
- The following enemy nests have been added to the game:
- 1x Geshromir Mines: Frenzied Knight
- 2x Haeldritch: Dragon, Young Magi-Dragon
- 3x Dreskofel Dungeon: Dragon, Magi-Dragon, Elder Dragon
- Much like the chests in Dreskofel, Enemy Nests in Dreskofel are not randomized.
- Developer Note: Enemy nests can be a great way to grind a quick level or two if you find a very desirable target for your build, as they can be repeatedly triggered in quick succession and avoid other unwanted battles.
- The combat menu cursor now displays only when you can take an action in combat.
- Fixed a display issue when selling equipment. Equipment is now immediately removed from the sell list display as soon as you sell it.