Introducing the Dead Station Files update «Final Inspection»!
Every investigation reaches a moment when scattered fragments begin to form a coherent picture. For Dead Station Files, that moment arrives with the major «Final Inspection» update. It brings together the game’s most important elements: character progression, investigation development, expanded visuals, and new ways to look at what is happening on Chernobog XIII.
This is not yet the final form of the game. It does not contain everything we would like it to have, but it is already enough to carry out a final test of its viability. This update will largely determine the fate of the project and what it will be like at release and even beyond.
And an important role in this update belongs to the journey of the first character — the Inspector.
Sasha Mann’s Journey
Sasha Mann becomes the face of the «Final Inspection» update. The new progression system, expanded visuals, and animated data fragments reveal the key stages of the Inspector’s story and the path she has taken.
But do not expect the station to reveal its secrets on its own.
Progression System
«Final Inspection» is largely dedicated to the implementation of a comprehensive progression system for both characters and the global investigation into the causes of the catastrophe on Chernobog XIII.
Each character now has their own progression, divided into two phases:
Data Collection
This is the phase in which the player becomes familiar with the character and unlocks their abilities — Utilities. By completing runs, you earn points and fill the Data Collection bar. Reaching milestones on this bar unlocks new unique abilities for the heroes.
Route Reconstruction
Once Data Collection is completed, the Route Reconstruction phase becomes available for that character. Each character has their own canonical route, consisting of a specific sequence of completed tasks and encountered events. Completing this sequence within a single run will unlock the hero’s true ending and other rewards.
The Route Reconstruction bar is meant to serve as a hint in the search for the true path and as a clear tracker of the destination points you have already uncovered.
Many tasks along a character’s path are hidden behind several conditions. The icons above a stage are the conditions required for it to appear on the station map. The color indicates the depth of an event’s concealment.
Careful study of the causes and consequences of events on the station, as well as the use of focus effects, are among the most important elements of your personal investigation.
Utilities
Characters now have active abilities that can be used on the station screen for LOG files.
Each character has their own set of three Utilities, which are unlocked during Data Collection as the player becomes familiar with the character’s playstyle and core mechanics.
Unlockable focus effects can grant characters new Utilities, replacing their standard abilities.
Surveys
Surveys are global objectives not tied to a specific run. They may present you with unusual goals, teaching mechanics, offering a challenge, or pushing you toward uncovering the catastrophe.
Surveys are planned as a broad quest system tied to achievements and in-game events.
They will give raids on Chernobog XIII new meaning, unique gameplay situations, and even higher stakes.
Analysis Screen
The Investigation Screen has received a significant expansion in the form of a new tab — the Analysis Screen.
The Analysis Screen is fully dedicated to the new progression system and allows you to track Report completion, active Surveys, and character progression. It is here that the player will be able to submit completed Reports, score completed Surveys, and unlock new characters.
Reports can now require not only the discovery of incident cards, but also the completion of certain Surveys.
Episodes
As you explore the decks of Chernobog, you may become involved in numerous situations that require your direct intervention. Each episode tells a small story and makes you its unwilling participant.
An Episode is a unique event tied to a specific location and time period in the chronology of the catastrophe. Some Episodes are also linked into chains and affect the course of the catastrophe.
Some action options require specific equipment or a specific character, while others are hidden behind special conditions. And the results of your decisions may have unexpected long-term consequences.
Evolving Biosignature
The Biosignature has received a major update. It now evolves alongside the catastrophe, reacting to the environment with changes to its characteristics and behavior.
If in the early hours of the catastrophe you are still capable of surviving an encounter with the unknown, then in the later stages it becomes the number one threat, developing new forms and abilities.
Critical values of station statuses, or their combinations, lead to the emergence of special abilities. In this way, by interfering in the course of the catastrophe, you influence the evolution of the threat.
Updated Evacom™ Visuals
In addition to gameplay innovations, «Final Inspection» advances the game’s visual component. Among the many additions are:
Display settings.
New visual effects.
Updated art.
Animated scenes.
Display and Image Settings
You can now flexibly customize the Evacom screen using an extensive list of settings or turn to preset visual profiles. This will allow you to improve readability or add authenticity to the image according to your own needs and preferences.
This opens up opportunities for us to further expand Evacom customization and interface themes in the future.
Art and Animation
Many visual aspects of the game have been taken to a new level. A distinct visual style and language for the project have been established, and «Final Inspection» takes its first confident steps toward conceptual cohesion.
QoL Improvements
Numerous bugs have been fixed, new interface features have been added, and the readability of on-screen information has been improved based on your feedback from playtests.
The tutorial system has been expanded, and identified problem areas have been reworked.
The main menu now includes a News Panel, allowing you to follow the latest project updates and receive important notifications directly inside the game!
Community and In-Game Events
Join our Discord community! There, you can follow the latest news, get help, and directly influence development.
And also take part in the first community quest, “Evacom Authorization”!
Going forward, we plan to hold in-game events and various activities based around our Discord community.
You will find all the details on the server itself.
All of this and many other improvements are already waiting for you in the demo!
And now, we invite you to try all the new features, complete the feedback-form available in the main menu, and share your thoughts on our Discord server.