During the Early Access months (btw, only 20 days left), we got a few "complains" that Arcade mode, while for many the less interesting one due to the lack of the management parts, felt like it was just an afterthought and not a really independent play mode.
The main reason being the lack of a sense of progression and of a tech tree system like in the campaign and sandbox. Well well, don't say we don't listen! Here comes the full Tech Tree and Research System for the Arcade mode.
It's similar, but also has quite a few differences, if compared to the campaign and sandbox one. First of all, it's not turn based. It means that buying a research is instantaneous as long as you have Research points to spend. Points are earned through victories, the same victories unlocking the next maps too.
The first time you achieve stars in each of the Difficulties you achieve an equivalent number of research points (thankfully, each difficulty also provide the missing stars on the lower difficulties, so if you get 3 stars in Hardcore mode, you don't have to replay in easy and intermediate to unlock the other stars, and you get them right away). If you get 3 Stars in Hardcore mode, you earn a bonus Research point for the golden medal.
Cooldown abilities and Temples, that in the campaign are not handled through research, are also unlockable the same way. We did some testing already, but we would really really like to get your feedback about the new system.
Ah, we introduced a reset method for Arcade mode, in case you already had stars and wanna start scoring some research points: hold left shift + hold right shift + tap Y on your keyboard. This will reset your full arcade progress and system, and you can now start earning research points.
Ah, this you will like. We also added a new shooting mode, Flying Enemies First, it should save you a lot of pain in the more advanced maps! Remember to use it with unlocked targetting for the best results.
v0.951.30
- Added Research to Arcade Mode
- Added new shooting priority: Shoot flying enemy first
- Added Religious buildings to Sandbox research mode
- Fixed the research related to maximum available barracks per map
- Fixed the Technology Armor bonus to Soldiers and Builders
- Fixed the Technology bonus to faster non-tower buildings construction time
- Fixed missing localizations on some time units
- Fixed the missing Castle Armor bonus
- Fixed a bug that stacked research bonuses multiple times in case of upgraded tier towers
- Fixed a bug in which the selected shooting mode didn't show up when opening the settings menu for a tower
- Fixed a glitch with the dependencies lines on the Arcade tech tree
- Fixed a bug in Sandbox mode that allowed to unlock research tiers the wrong way
- Fixed Surrender entry in the battle map menu
- Fixed the bug that when finishing the campaign in Hardcore mode doesn't reward with the achievement
- Increased the effect on Autoresolve of having alredy fought and won a full battle in a province (+5% for each 1 or 2 stars Victory, +10% for each 3 stars victory)