Hello train friends, Nat here.
The latest demo update comes with a lot of changes to make the gameplay experience smoother and less frustrating.
At this point, we'll be taking a step back from demo development and focusing on creating content and features for the full build of the game. Our plan is to participate in October's Steam Next Fest event with an updated demo that better reflects what the final build will look like, possibly followed by Steam Scream Fest, and then releasing in November 2025 (currently planning on this launch being v1.0, not Early Access).
Let us know what you think of the new changes, and what you'd like to see in the full version! =)
GAMEPLAY:
Changes to shelving in caboose and other cars. Now there are special containers for storing consumables (med kits, sheet metal, spare parts, fruit) as well as some other multi-purpose shelving.
Additional tweaks to make single-player mode more balanced and added an explanatory pop-up.
If you give Frank a primed vessel, he'll do his best to get it into the signature device.
Increased likelihood of seeing mythic tickets with Phantom Rage curse (1 in 15 instead of 1 in 20, + guaranteed once in 20).
Greenhouse fruit in pots no longer disappear when a round ends.
QUALITY OF LIFE:
Adjustments to player hitbox that should make it much easier to navigate the train and get through doorways without getting stuck on things.
Less lag, more snappy feeling when picking up/putting down items (client-side prediction).
Ring toss less laggy for non-hosting players (client-side prediction).
Reactor vessel-filling station now only accepts empty vessels, so you won't accidentally put a signature-primed vessel in there anymore.
Game Over screen now tells you how many enemies you defeated.
Added a SOLD OUT flag when you purchase upgrades from the shop so you know what you bought.
Added chat log notifications for when friends join/leave the server.
Reduced the default volume of the background music.
You can now use the ESC menu while at the outpost.
CLARITY:
Added a stronger visual indicator for the debuff from mythic Stagnant Air.
Added a guide in the railyard for tips on using Frank.
Ghost Capturing Guide can also be viewed in the Reactor car.
Revised some elements of Beginner Mode for additional clarity.
Added an item to the ESC menu in-game that explains how to add friends mid-run.
Persistent chat bar on UI.
When players get knocked out, their character portrait on the right will turn grayscale.
LOOK AND FEEL:
Continuing to change some fonts to improve readability.
Fixed some weird shadow issues on some cars.
Better sound effect for Spectral Cage that doesn't sound so similar to KO.
Made Frank less yellow, slightly more steampunky.
Cleaned up spectate mode overlays slightly.
Cliff gave up smoking.
BUG FIXES:
Sometimes items could get thrown off the train in a weird way and get stuck.
Sometimes after a player died, their character model would slide around on the floor all crazy - after they had been revived.
Sometimes a player's character model would hover about a foot off the ground.
Sometimes a party member would still show up on the ready-check screen in the railyard after they had disconnected from the server.
ESC menu didn't behave nicely in the railyard. Other railyard menu issues.
When a player was touching the locked door during [spoiler]ISOLATE/STAY AWAY[/spoiler], it would bug out the spawning of the [spoiler]redacted[/spoiler].