Version 1.9.4 Update - Visual Clarity Overhaul, More Accessibility, and more!
Hi everyone!
Usually I save these Kickstater update writeups for 1.x patches, but Alpha 1.9.4 is so substantial that I thought I'd write one anyways! Many people have found the game due to the Steam demo (which is still up!) and thanks to that we've gotten tons of feedback! Primarily regarding visual clarity! On top of that, there are also some extra visual improvements (as options) targeted to those that want even more visual fidelity, rather than less!
The new settings in-game. The settings screen now has 2 pages!
Visual clarity in Soul Stalker has always been hard to balance as a big part of it is being a bullet heaven with the ultimate "Nintendo-y" packaging, so we've never wanted to skimp out on graphical flair. The Alpha 1.9.4 update addresses this through adding a bunch of settings that make the game stand out less in the graphical department, and make the action clearer. However, since these are just options, the base game still has the same visual flair as before (and more with one of the added settings)!
To start off, I'm going to show how the game looks like with none of the "visual clarity" settings on, and then go through each of the settings to show how they affect the game. So below you will find a clip of the game in its base form! For all of the examples, I've decided to use Shrapnel with 4 Bombsplosive weapons and it showcases the difference very well.
Base gameplay
If you turn on the new "Hide Explosions" setting, then the game will look like the clip below - it looks basically the same but explosions no longer show! This is for those that want to be able to focus more on dodging the enemies, and don't care much for knowing if your stuff is blowing up, or if you know that already.
Gameplay with "Hide Explosions"
If you turn off the new "Surface Decor" setting (which is off by default), then the game will look like the clip below. You'll notice that the palm shrubs have now disappeared! These shrubs, and more decorative elements, were added in this update to spruce up the visuals for people who wanted to take it up to 11, but the new "Surface Decor" setting allows you to turn it off. Also, since it's off by default, it won't appear if you don't explicitly choose to activate it!
Gameplay with "Hide Explosions", and "Surface Decor" off
The next setting is one of the 2 huge ones that were added in Alpha 1.9.4 - "Enemy Outlines". This one allows you to outline all enemies with a red border, making them easier to spot!
Gameplay with "Hide Explosions", "Surface Decor" off, and "Enemy Outlines"
This next setting was already in the game prior to 1.9.4, but I thought I'd show it here to give you an idea of how far the settings can take the game! It's the "Top Down" setting, and it brings the game's visual style more in line with other Bullet Heavens/roguelikes.
Gameplay with "Hide Explosions", "Surface Decor" off, "Enemy Outlines", and "Top Down Camera"
The final setting is the second of the two big ones, and it's "Stripped Back Levels". Since the game has a lot of visual variety, some of the settings may not apply super well in some levels, but this setting ensures that everything is always the same when on! This combined with the "Enemy Outlines" settings makes the game incredibly easy to read, so if you're trying to be optimal or have a great deal of trouble seeing what's going on, these two are must-haves!
Gameplay with "Hide Explosions", "Surface Decor" off, "Enemy Outlines", "Top Down Camera", and "Stripped Back Levels"
Personally, I quite like having just the outlines and stripped back levels, it gives the game quite a cool look apart from the bonuses to visual clarity!
"Enemy Outlines" and "Stripped Back Levels"
Anyways, that's it for 1.9.4! While it's not a 1.x update, it's a really huge one despite that. Leading up to the Early Access release, we're going to be making tons of quality of life changes, bug fixes, streamlining, and more, so if you have any suggestions feel free to put them in the comments and Steam Discussion forum!
I look forward to making Soul Stalker ever better in the next update :)
(Also, don't forget to wishlist Soul Stalker!)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1714240/Soul_Stalker/
- Conrad, Lead Developer
Usually I save these Kickstater update writeups for 1.x patches, but Alpha 1.9.4 is so substantial that I thought I'd write one anyways! Many people have found the game due to the Steam demo (which is still up!) and thanks to that we've gotten tons of feedback! Primarily regarding visual clarity! On top of that, there are also some extra visual improvements (as options) targeted to those that want even more visual fidelity, rather than less!
The new settings in-game. The settings screen now has 2 pages!Visual clarity in Soul Stalker has always been hard to balance as a big part of it is being a bullet heaven with the ultimate "Nintendo-y" packaging, so we've never wanted to skimp out on graphical flair. The Alpha 1.9.4 update addresses this through adding a bunch of settings that make the game stand out less in the graphical department, and make the action clearer. However, since these are just options, the base game still has the same visual flair as before (and more with one of the added settings)!
To start off, I'm going to show how the game looks like with none of the "visual clarity" settings on, and then go through each of the settings to show how they affect the game. So below you will find a clip of the game in its base form! For all of the examples, I've decided to use Shrapnel with 4 Bombsplosive weapons and it showcases the difference very well.
Base gameplayIf you turn on the new "Hide Explosions" setting, then the game will look like the clip below - it looks basically the same but explosions no longer show! This is for those that want to be able to focus more on dodging the enemies, and don't care much for knowing if your stuff is blowing up, or if you know that already.
Gameplay with "Hide Explosions"If you turn off the new "Surface Decor" setting (which is off by default), then the game will look like the clip below. You'll notice that the palm shrubs have now disappeared! These shrubs, and more decorative elements, were added in this update to spruce up the visuals for people who wanted to take it up to 11, but the new "Surface Decor" setting allows you to turn it off. Also, since it's off by default, it won't appear if you don't explicitly choose to activate it!
Gameplay with "Hide Explosions", and "Surface Decor" offThe next setting is one of the 2 huge ones that were added in Alpha 1.9.4 - "Enemy Outlines". This one allows you to outline all enemies with a red border, making them easier to spot!
Gameplay with "Hide Explosions", "Surface Decor" off, and "Enemy Outlines"This next setting was already in the game prior to 1.9.4, but I thought I'd show it here to give you an idea of how far the settings can take the game! It's the "Top Down" setting, and it brings the game's visual style more in line with other Bullet Heavens/roguelikes.
Gameplay with "Hide Explosions", "Surface Decor" off, "Enemy Outlines", and "Top Down Camera"The final setting is the second of the two big ones, and it's "Stripped Back Levels". Since the game has a lot of visual variety, some of the settings may not apply super well in some levels, but this setting ensures that everything is always the same when on! This combined with the "Enemy Outlines" settings makes the game incredibly easy to read, so if you're trying to be optimal or have a great deal of trouble seeing what's going on, these two are must-haves!
Gameplay with "Hide Explosions", "Surface Decor" off, "Enemy Outlines", "Top Down Camera", and "Stripped Back Levels"Personally, I quite like having just the outlines and stripped back levels, it gives the game quite a cool look apart from the bonuses to visual clarity!
"Enemy Outlines" and "Stripped Back Levels"Anyways, that's it for 1.9.4! While it's not a 1.x update, it's a really huge one despite that. Leading up to the Early Access release, we're going to be making tons of quality of life changes, bug fixes, streamlining, and more, so if you have any suggestions feel free to put them in the comments and Steam Discussion forum!
I look forward to making Soul Stalker ever better in the next update :)
(Also, don't forget to wishlist Soul Stalker!)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1714240/Soul_Stalker/
- Conrad, Lead Developer