Demo 0.1 playtest is live!
The Future of Playtests:
As of right now, we have been playtesting up to a demo standard. Since the demo will be free to everyone, this will remain in all playtests forever. However, future playtests will see full game content added and removed as testing requires.
In turn, this will be added to Public Playtesting soon - if you're reading this, it probably already is!
Patch notes:
Level Lineup Changes:
The levels in the game have changed to focus on a complete experience for the demo - the current goal! The old levels we enjoy are still going to be in the full game - but many overlapped existing levels in terms of utility. We don't need to bloat our demo with 5 levels of just Aserin Law 1!
6 Removed Levels:
Act 1:
Bridge Raiser
Bridge Raiser is a small and very technical level to execute well. While this is welcome, it's not ideal for the first few experiences the player gets.
Battlement Sprint
Battlement Sprint is a fast level, but a noob trap with how long it is compared to the other act 1 levels. Being its only a Aserin level, it got cut for Demo quality.
Dungeon Run
Dungeon Run has always been contentious to me as it's a Hydrathir-only level that is effectively a big pit of shame that new players struggle to escape. Replaced for the demo; we'll see if it makes a return!
Act 2:
Island Aftermath
Island Aftermath is a classic, beloved level. However, Act 2 has a lot to showcase, and a level that was a bit of everything without any god clashes struggled to find room.
Landfall
Landfall was hated by new players, and for good reason - it's just a big pit that punishes you for making a mistake, and the fastest routes are far from obvious. High-level players loved it as you could solve it via walking in about 10 seconds, rewarding out-of-the-box thinking; most people saw times in the 40's. Removed for now.
Daylight Encampment,
Encampment, the remake of Fortress, is a great level. However, for "Aserin beams interrupt Hydrathir cannons", Rays Of War is better at showcasing the idea, and keeping the city-like theme of Act 2. This will return in the main game.
7 New Levels:
Act 1:
Radiant baths - A level designed to be a mix of Aserin's and Hydrathir's Law 1s.
Act 2:
Magnificence - A level introducing another interpretation of Aserin's Law 2
City Treasures - A level introducing another interpretation of Hydrathir's Law 2
Act 3:
Respite - the Joint Custody mechanic shown in full
Witches Brew - An introduction to Rani's Law 2
Woodworking - Another interpretation of Rani's Law 2
Cavern Dance - A finale to end the demo with - the biggest, most complex puzzle yet.
Music:
Music has been added to the game. While CC0, here are the tracks and their artists!
A small Fire Will Do by Trex0n (Hub)
Echoes of the past by isaiah658 (Opening Cutscene)
Hyper Ultra Racing by CynicMusic (Act 1)
Drum and Bass by Bertsz (Act 2)
Black Diamond by Joth (Act 3)
Other Changes:
Experimental Throwing is now Mainline. Experimental remains empty - for now.
Fake Demo Locked Buttons show to fill out level Lists to indicate how much game there will be
A proper pop-up for the end of demo now appears.
Your Lawbook has had a visual upgrade and become customisable
Most levels have very minor particles, clutter or/and decal visual addons.
The font has had minor updates to make numbers more legible - no more 0's and 8's getting mixed up.
Bug Fixes:
Wall running off a wall should no longer kill your speed and properly detach you with both jumps.
Skeletons that spawn in kill zones will display their visuals immediately - making level gimmicks like Rainy Day more obvious
All levels now have relevant ambience.
Known Bugs:
Main menu button UI will occasionally be the wrong size, overlapping the centre UI significantly. Unknown how to reproduce consistently.
Wall runs will very rarely send the player in the wrong direction. Unknown how to reproduce consistently, and discovery is a high priority.