Steam Next Fest starts today, and we've been hard at work improving the Tidal Rush demo over the last few weeks. If you've already played, there's never been a better time to jump back in and see what's new!
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Here's a look at some of the biggest updates we've made:
🚀Brand-New Campaign Mission Content
We've added a 1st demo set of campaign-style missions including tutorial missions featuring unique objectives, characters, and gameplay moments.
Chomp Chase!
Track down and chase evil looking crocosaurus Snapjaw through the waterways, dodge hazards, and complete mission-specific objectives.
Beaver Blockade
Some beaver activity is interfering with Tidal Rush’s racing schedule. Clear the way to make way for future races and enjoy making things go ‘BOOM’.
Overall these campaign missions include:
New mission objectives and progression systems
Unique mission dialogue and HUD elements
New campaign navigation UI
Custom victory conditions
Mission-specific pickups and challenges
Improved mission results and rewards screens
Mission unlock system
Star-based mission success rating
Updated mission artwork and presentation
✨ New Characters, Skins & Unlockables
We've expanded customization and progression with:
New character addition: Gell-E
New character skins and unlockable rewards
New character and vehicle descriptions adding a tiny bit of story background
Unlock tracking and challenge-based rewards
💥 Visual Effects Overhaul
We've been upgrading effects across the entire game to make races feel faster, louder, and more exciting.
Highlights include:
New speed streak effects
Improved boost visuals
Enhanced trick and stunt VFX
New explosion effects
Mega Missile visual upgrades
New podium celebration screen with animation, fireworks and of course confetti
Better water splashes and environmental effects
Improved UFO and engine effects
🎵 Audio Improvements
We've spent a lot of time making Tidal Rush sound better than ever.
Updates include:
Reworked engine audio dynamics
Improved boost and stunt sounds
Better environmental audio
Refined race-end music transitions
New podium celebration audio
Enhanced weapon and collision sound effects
Improved geyser, waterfall, and world ambience
🏎️ Gameplay & Racing Improvements
We've made numerous gameplay tuning passes across the demo:
Improved boost balancing (nerved boost stat especially on smaller power engine levels)
Better stunt handling and feedback
Refined drift behaviour
AI racer balancing updates
Improved airborne control
More responsive pickups
Weapon balancing and homing missile improvements
Better collision reactions and physics tuning
🪞 Mirror Mode has continued to evolve
Updated visuals
Corrected HUD behaviour
Proper pickup handling
Mirrored race presentation improvements
🎮 Multiplayer & Split-Screen Improvements
We've made a large number of quality-of-life improvements for multiplayer racing:
Improved lobby handling
Better race results logic
More reliable networking
Split-screen UI improvements
Controller assignment fixes
Spectator mode enhancements
Improved session stability
🛠️ Quality of Life & Bug Fixes
We've fixed a huge number of issues reported by players and testers, including:
Mission progression bugs
Collision issues
Camera improvements
UI layout fixes
Localization updates (including German improvements)
Performance optimizations
Loading screen updates
Better save-data handling
Improved game shutdown stability
Numerous visual and audio fixes across all tracks
🌊 What's Next?
This update is just the beginning. Steam Next Fest is an important milestone for us, and your feedback will help shape the future of Tidal Rush.
Enjoy the demo?
💬 Leave feedback in the Steam discussions or write a review
🎥 Share clips and screenshots with us
🚤 Challenge your friends to beat your best times
Thank you for joining us on the water, and enjoy Steam Next Fest!
Your Tidal Rush Team