0.68.7 Released.

This major update brings a three act campaign that features new characters, deeper narrative about the world of Whisker Squadron, new enemies, and new and improved mechanics!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Check out the full patch notes below!

[h2]NEW FEATURES/CONTENT: [/h2]

• Campaign mode! We have redesigned the overall experience of the game to include a campaign that includes a map with a choice of paths. Rather than choosing your level at the start, a campaign has a map that includes a random selection of worlds along your journey.
  Every campaign will include a variety of environments, and increasingly difficult combat encounters culminating in a boss fight at the end of each of the 3 acts.
  This redesign includes major new features including:
  
  
  
  • 2 shops with new characters you can visit for upgrades.
    
  • The beginnings of a new and deeper narrative.
    
  • Three acts, with a miniboss fight at the end of each.
    
• New enemies: Plasma Pursuer, Pulse Wave Caster, Missile Tank, Phaser, Bombardier, Gatling Defender, Laser Pinwheel, Dart, Disco Ball, Spikehead Stunner.
  
• New "Wave based" spawning system for enemies. Makes speed runs possible and reduces "dead zones" in combat.
  
• There is now a default "spin block" on the A/D (or shoulder buttons). This replaces the old tilt function.
  
• Spinning while turning will give you a little boost in your turn direction. As a treat.
  
• Added support for 3 save slots.
  
• Ross and Max are now unlocked as part of the story.
  
• There's now a countdown meter underneath the combo indicator.
  
• Shortened intro animation for every Action Zone except the first in each act.
  
• New intro cutscene.
  

[h2]CHANGES/IMPROVEMENTS: [/h2]

• Gatling gun energy per shot reduced a bit.
  
• Combos now unlock on run 3 with a standalone tutorial.
  
• Redesigned UI for hangar.
  
• Camera is a bit higher relative to ship so it's easier to see targets in front of ship.
  
• Laser Cannon, Multi-Missile launcher, and Crater Bomb upgrades have increased damage.
  
• Lots of enemy/combat tuning and improvements:
  
  
  
  • Enemies have new artwork and give more VP in later acts.
    
  • Enemy homing missiles now have a chance to drop a missile pickup when destroyed.
    
  • Improved enemy outlines and enhanced enemy visibility.
    
  • Enemies and enemy attacks are more visible and are a bit more difficult.
    
  • "Enhanced" enemies will appear with a special material, with more health.
    
• Pierced Shot Healing will only appear if you have a weapon with piercing.
  
• Combo Shooter now increases firing rate for 10 seconds at level 1 and activates at combo level 20.
  
• Mods, Challenges, Perks, and Combos unlock after meeting certain conditions.
  
• Removed Combo tutorial from first run.
  
• Sky Crawler shoots homing missiles.
  
• Increased turn rate on ship a bit.
  
• Ross's trait is now "Scrap is worth 15% more".
  
• A.R.E.S. Testing Facility (Formerly Neonfall) is wider/taller.
  
• Larva Bombs will now stun the player when they explode.
  
• Redesigned main menu.
  
• Black holes, fog, and meteors are now environmental effects that appear on specific nodes on the map.
  
• Redesigned some Cursed Choices.
  
• Reduced Burst Blaster initial damage from 3 to 2 per pellet.
  
• Adjusted achievements to be unlockable with new campaign mode.
  
• Lasers and head on collisions cause more damage.
  
• Game will warn you if you attempt to exit mid-run.
  
• Swarm homing missiles are no longer considered enemies.
  

[h2]BUG FIXES: [/h2]

• Fixed issues with music during boss fights.
  
• Ghost Gambit now doesn't hide projectiles.
  
• Volume sliders have more correct values now.
  
• Tight Boost Energy now completely refills energy meter.
  

[h2]KNOWN ISSUES: [/h2]

• Re-rolls are currently disabled. They'll come back in a future update!
  

[h3]SPECIAL THANKS[/h3]
Thank you to all of our wonderful playtesters and Beta testers on Discord! We'd like to give special acknowledgement to Javier, Isabelle, Russell, Logan, Kayla, Austin, and Kyle; Josh Simons, ERmilburn02 (Eliza M), and Zcienxe, Maple, Aurakid, NalathniDragon, Lone, Wolf Of OwO Street, Whitney, and Master of the Lagness; as well as John Tearpock, LmjFTW, pvbw, TesseractE, Meridius_IX/Lucas, stradius, Alex, SaltedHoney, Acey, Syncros, Teigue, Zcienxe, Andrea S., and Edda. We have a great community, and we thank you for providing valuable feedback and support during the development of this build!