BUILD 0.73
Big gameplay and level design changes, improvements in quests and animations and a lot bug fixes!
Hello, space cowboys!
We are excited to tell you that update 0.73 is ready! We have put in a ton of work and made numerous changes to make your gaming experience even better. As usual, we're eager to hear your thoughts in the comments and on Discord. Now let's take a look at the changes awaiting you in the game.
GAMEPLAY
We've already told you about
the changes in the combat system, the
introduction of new opponents with updated sounds, and
improvements in daily routines. But, of course, we have more to share besides the new ability system, adding levels to Jack's enemies, character reactions, and effects.
The role-playing system underwent a significant overhaul — we've invested a lot of effort into adding systems that will diversify the ways to solve quests, increase replayability, and give you the chance to personalize your character. Thanks to numerous skills and the new perks system, your character will become even more unique. Additionally, in dialogues, there will be significantly more reactions through which you can shape your character's personality — depending on your responses, events will unfold in sometimes completely different ways!
We've introduced energy shields into the game. All drones and characters with maximum resource access — Garry, Clinta, and Eric Kraven — will have them. The best way to deal with these shields is to use energy weapons, and the best way to acquire such a weapon is to snatch them from your opponents. In future updates, players will not only be able to obtain powerful boomsticks but also acquire or craft energy shield gadgets for their personal use.
NPCs now behave more realistically in ranged combat: enemies will shoot faster, but the accuracy of their shots will decrease accordingly. Hostile shooters will behave more naturally, taking pauses before aiming. Animal attacks will also see some changes – now they will persistently pursue their prey and can block or parry attacks in combat.
On the Edge, there are now bushes that help Jack move stealthily right behind enemy backs. If he's moving openly, characters will turn towards him as he approaches.
Jack's got something new – a mushroom grenade! Just collect gas mushrooms and throw them to the enemies to poison them before the fight even starts. The grenade not only explodes but also releases a toxic cloud around it. There is a new trick available for a gunslinging hero in the game: he can aim for the NPC's helmet and shatter it into pieces with a number of well-placed shots.
In addition to
the updated crucas and the hound, new types of alien beetles will appear in the game. Now, Jack will have to fend off not only ground creatures but also flying ones. Some beetles will even change color depending on the habitat.
We've revamped the approach to character pathfinding and their interaction with objects. Now, they'll move between points more naturally, following the most logical paths. We've also taught characters to organically find their way to their goals, interacting with obstacles such as opening doors, squeezing through crevices, or climbing stairs. Additionally, there are significantly more daily routine options, adding a lively touch to Edge!
LEVEL DESIGN
Our level designers have made numerous changes and improvements to the Edge territory, ranging from the introduction of new zones to enhancements in fine detail. The most significant change is the expansion of the desert. Now, you'll have more places to explore, and in the new lands, powerful mobs will challenge you. We've also added a new cave – you can explore it almost immediately after the tutorial with A.N.N.A. In addition to valuable loot, you can find renewed crucases there. Be sure to let us know how you like the updated desert — we continue to work on this area and would love your feedback!
All the old trees have been replaced with new models. Now they look much more alien and better fit the biome. By the way, you can start enjoying the new savanna views much faster — there's a direct road to the mining town now, whereas before, a chasm blocked the way. When you get through the crash-landed Leviathan spaceship, you'll meet Curious, who will show you the shortcut to the Lucky Hole. Alternatively, you can take a longer road to reach the mining community and explore the distant cemetery or other interesting corners of Edge along the way.
Ropes have now appeared on the Edge, making exploration more interesting and easier while also increasing the number of spots to explore and search for items. We've replaced some ladders with ropes in places where it makes more sense and looks more natural. Additionally, we've enhanced the interiors of the Lucky Hole houses and worked on the design of the Abori tents, which is particularly noticeable in the Scalp Hunter location. The Herbalist now has his own space; along with his apprentice, he settled in one of the vacant houses in the mining town, arranging everything to his liking. Make sure to visit him and find out what he has to offer! Many new hideouts have also appeared in the area, and the bottom of the mine now features an updated swamp.
Many terrain surfaces have been reworked – our aim was to bring as much diversity and naturalness as possible. Now, whether in the desert, savanna, or residential areas, the terrain looks significantly more lifelike.
QUESTS
For the new update, sixteen quests have been revamped! We thoroughly worked on the logic and event content in the game, adding interesting details. Some quests were relocated to new places, providing you with more opportunities to quickly dive into the events happening on the Edge..
Many changes have affected the mining town Lucky Hole. Its storyline has been made more explicit, uncovering the town's past and the characters inhabiting it. Additionally, new significant characters will appear, allowing you to engage in conversations and discover something interesting.
Quests related to the Leviathan, as well as the spaceship itself, will undergo a complete overhaul in future updates. The important change in this build is that now you can navigate through the crash-landed cargo carrier as quickly as possible, thanks to the streamlined layout and changes in quests. Moreover, you can return to exploring the huge spaceship at any time, following the quests you can unlock in the Outcast's camp and mining town. Meta-quests for Scalp Hunters and Outcasts will also appear in the game in a much more comprehensive format. Now, you'll have to work harder to earn the trust of one faction or another.
ANIMATIONS
We've put a lot of effort into animations, improving existing ones and adding new ones. For instance, now our hero will start moving, such as running, in a more natural and pleasant way. Additionally, facial and dialogue animations have been introduced for characters. Now they don't just stand indifferently during the conversation but vividly express emotions.
Various existing animations for combat, NPC daily routines, and animal behavior have also been improved. Some mobs, like the new crucas, now attack with jumps, making their assaults much more impressive. So, the new aiming animation for the hero will come in handy!
SOUNDS
The sound of the Exoplanet has significantly improved in this update and deserves a special mention. We've made targeted changes in combat sound effects, animal vocalizations, and the musical backdrop. We've delved into details in previous articles, such as how bullet impact sounds now vary based on where the bullets hit—whether it's sand, rocks, or walls. It's also worth noting that the new mobs introduced in the update have received fresh sound assets. One more notable addition is the combat tracks: during combat, the music will shift to a more dynamic tune, adding an extra layer of intensity to the battles.
OTHER
We've brought several significant GUI windows into a consistent and fully functional format. Additionally, we've increased the number of slots for quick saves and autosaves—providing five slots for each. Autosaves now happen more frequently and are named based on the quest phase they occur in.
That's all for now—we hope you enjoy the update! Feel free to let us know how you feel about the changes, and if you encounter any issues, don't hesitate to report them in the comments, start discussions, or
reach out to us on Discord.
Until next time, space cowboys!
