This update focuses on improving onboarding, balance, and overall clarity—especially for new players jumping into the chaos for the first time. Based on community feedback and internal testing, we revisited core systems to create a smoother (but still challenging!) experience.
🎥 Watch the new trailer here:
⚖️ Gameplay & Balance
Full balance pass redone from scratch to address early-game difficulty spikes and improve the learning curve for new players.
Enemy spawn rates adjusted to provide a more consistent and fair challenge across runs.
Boss encounters now appear every 5 levels instead of every 3, easing players into the game’s core mechanics before major fights.
Healing item spawn rate reduced to better balance difficulty and decision-making during runs.
👔 Bosses & Enemies
Boss names added to clearly identify each boss, their role, and abilities.
Boss pacing adjusted to improve readability and reduce early overwhelm.
🛒 Progression & Systems Clarity
Progression, upgrade, and store systems are now explained at the start of a run, helping players understand the purpose of money and long-term growth.
Fixed a bug that caused in-level stores to spawn more frequently than intended.
🕹️ Controls & Combat
Fists (No Guns) weapon hitbox enlarged to improve consistency and make melee combat feel more responsive and reliable.
Gamepad support is now clearly listed on the Steam page.
💀 UX, Feedback & Polish
Added multiple new death messages to improve player learning and add a humorous touch to failure.
Added context in Options/Settings clarifying that the game is locked to 1080p resolution to preserve its retro aesthetic.
Thank you to everyone playing, giving feedback, and supporting the game.
This update is a step toward making Santa’s Hitlist: CEO Edition more approachable without losing its edge.
More updates coming soon—see you in the next run 🎄💥
— Unlucky Studios