13Z News

[p]Dev team vs all the bug reports >:D[/p][p][/p][p]Hey Zodiac Challengers, we’ve got another round of bug fixes and QoL updates for you. Keep those reports, feedback and suggestions coming! ;)

* All items with ⭐ were inspired by the Community.[/p][p] [/p][p]You can find us on: [/p][p]Discord / X (Twitter) / Tiktok / Youtube / Reddit [/p][p][/p][p]Crafted with Love,
Mixed Realms Team[/p]

[p]Hey, Zodiac Challengers! First patch notes for our Co-op Demo, fresh out of the oven. This update smooths out Twitch integration, fixes a few quirky skills, and tightens overall balance and stability.[/p][p]We’re also experimenting with a new shader to boost character readability, so give it a spin and tell us how it feels in the comments on or on Discord. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]You can find us on: [/p][p]Discord / X (Twitter) / Tiktok / Youtube / Reddit [/p][p][/p][p]Crafted with Love,
Mixed Realms Team[/p]

[p]Hey Zodiac Challengers! Co-op Mode is officially live on the demo, and it’s exactly as chaotic as we promised! If you prefer running solo, don’t worry. This update comes with some treats for you too. ;)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Stay tuned! Our official co-op demo trailer drops on Nov 22 at 4 PM PST. [/h3][p]Why is it dropping later that the update, you ask? Because we're revealing it first on the OTK Games Expo happening @ 12PM PT today! 😉 You can also 'Set Reminder' to watch it albeit much later on our channel.[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]Co-op Mode is Up![/h2][p]You can now tackle the Zodiac Trials with up to four players online through public matchmaking or private parties.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Friendships may be tested. Trust may be strained. [/p][p]To support multiplayer runs, several systems have been expanded so your co-op runs feel like true group efforts, not four solo players sprinting in different directions. For example -[/p]

• [p]+20 new Jade Tree nodes dedicated to multiplayer[/p]
• [p]Lotto Chests that reward the luckiest of your squad[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][h2]Twitch Integration[/h2][p]For streamers, Twitch Integration is live and now, your chat can decide your fate. BWAHAHAHAHAHA! They can now vote on your Trial modifiers, difficulty spikes, and other surprises. 
[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]Combat & Enemy Polish[/h2][p]Still missing that kapoosh when something massive hits you? We heard you.[/p][p]Hit feedback is now stronger across the board for both players and enemies. If Gronk slams you with its hammer or you step into an explosive plant, you’re getting launched.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Several enemy groups received updates as well:[/p]

• [p]Coinlets spawn fewer bubbles, but each bubble is larger and capable of knocking you back.[/p]
• [p]Imperial army units (Sentinel, Spearhand, Marksman, Swordbearer) now come with a new Elite ability and tighter polish.[/p]
• [p]Sand Wraith has a reworked attack mode that feels more slippery and more dangerous.[/p]
• [p]Bosses and mini-bosses also received upgrades. [/p]

[p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]New Cosmetics[/h2][p]Lyra’s alt outfit from the community vote is finally ready, and dare we say, it looks great. Sylith’s original OG outfit is also back in the cosmetic pool, so you can brood in style while slicing through enemies.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]Beta Language Support[/h2][p]To make our demo more accessible to players, we’re adding early versions of German, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Russian, Japanese and Korean. These translations are still a work in progress with some placeholders, so you will most likely encounter rough edges or the occasional odd phrasing. Your feedback will help us polish them as we get closer to our next milestone. [/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]Balancing, Fixes, and General Improvements[/h2][p]By popular demand (you sadists!), Hard and Master difficulties are now significantly more punishing. Enemies hit harder, react faster, and demand sharper movement and decision making.[/p][p]If you’ve been waiting for a tougher climb, the gates are open. Step in and tell us… ARE YOU (still) NOT ENTERTAINED?[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]As always, there’s plenty more under the hood, from UI polish to VFX & SFX updates. The best way to enjoy it is to jump back in.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]Thank you for sticking with us, Challengers. Once you've tried the new update, let us know what surprised you, delighted you, or threw you across the map (or below it… T_T).

If you’ve got a bit of time, we’d love your help tagging 13Z so more players who enjoy this genre can find it. 😊 [/p][p][/p][p]You can find us on: [/p][p]Discord / X (Twitter) / Tiktok / Youtube / Reddit [/p][p][/p][p]Crafted with Love,
Mixed Realms Team[/p][p][/p]

[h3]13Z Demo Hotfix \[0.7.1.906] - Oct 28 2025[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p]You can find us on: [/p][p]Discord / X (Twitter) / Tiktok / Youtube / Reddit [/p][p][/p][p]Crafted with Love,
Mixed Realms Team[/p]

[p][/p][p]Hey Zodiac Challengers! Big news today — we’re officially announcing that 13Z’s Co-op Mode will land on the demo build this November 21, 2025.[/p][p]It’s the feature many of you have been waiting for, and we can’t wait for you to experience the Trials together.
[/p][p][/p][h3]But before that, we’ve rolled out a new update to the current demo (details below!), packed with new gameplay content (like 80+ new seals and boons 😎), balancing, QoLs, system updates, bug fixes and a brand-new way to show off your skills through Glory, our new performance-based currency.[/h3][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]🙌 A Small Favor, Challengers[/h2][p]Before we dive into the details of this update, we’d love your help spreading the word.[/p][p]If you’ve enjoyed your time in the Trials, please tag “13Z: The Zodiac Trials” on Steam with “Action Roguelike” and “Hack-and-Slash.”[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]It’s a small gesture that helps more players who love games like this discover 13Z. Thank you for giving us that extra push forward![/p][p][/p][h2]👋We’re going live tonight! Come say HI![/h2][p]We’re also thrilled to announce that 13Z is one of the finalists in this year’s Indie X showcase! We’ll be temporarily unfurling from our introvert pods to join their team to chat as they livestream 13Z! 🙂
[/p][p]WHEN: Oct 23 (Thu) at 11 AM PST / 8PM CET[/p][p]WHERE: [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]
Now, on to the updates![/p][h2]
🌟 Boons and Glory[/h2][p]Boons have been reworked to tie directly to a new performance-based currency: Glory. You earn Glory by playing well during your Trials, and spend it to purchase Boons of different rarities[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Boons now come in five tiers: Common, Rare, Epic, Legendary, and Patron Boons.[/p][p]Only Patron Boons are linked to the Zodiac Guardians, but the expanded pool adds more build variety and experimentation for every Challenger.[/p][p]Here are some examples:[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]This system rewards skillful play and adds a more strategic layer to your builds. It also sets the stage for some friendly (😈???) team dynamics when co-op arrives next month![/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h2]
⚔️ Combat Improvements[/h2][p]Lyra and Sylith’s jump animations have been adjusted to improve timing and weight.

We’ve also added a new target lock option called “Free Rotation,” which offers smoother movement compared to the original, more focused “Locked” mode. You can switch between the two under Options > Gameplay > Target Lock-On Camera.

[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]👹 Enemy Improvements[/h2][p]Enemies have received some love too!

Attack telegraphs are easier to read, with updated VFX that make danger zones clearer. Certain enemies have had their animations, timing, and movement patterns adjusted to feel fairer and more reactive. Still a work in progress, of course. Your early feedback would help us iron out the roughest spots[/p][p]
[/p][p]…And word has it that the Goat Zodiac has a new trick up his sleeves.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]🍜 The Pig Zodiac’s food cart has finally gone legit.[/h2][p]Our Master of Feast has upgraded his humble food cart. It no longer sucks the living daylights out of your HP. It goes straight for your wallet instead. Apparently, he’s been taking business lessons from the Rooster. Stop by his stall between runs to see what’s cooking.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]🌳 Progression and Difficulty[/h2][p]Clearing a run on Normal difficulty now unlocks higher difficulty tiers, with stronger enemies and better rewards. The Jade Tree system has also been updated to support the expanded progression structure, giving you more long-term goals as you strengthen your Challenger.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]💫New Cosmetics & More[/h2][p]Alongside the major systems, this update also adds new cosmetics to unlock, an improved tutorial for new Challengers, and various fixes and quality-of-life improvements.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]🐠 Bye, Goldie… For Now[/h2][p]We’re temporarily removing Companions from the demo.

Don’t worry, they’ll be back! We’re reworking the system to make Companions more impactful and meaningful in future updates. For now, they’re resting in celestial waters while we fine-tune their roles.[/p][p]
[/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]👉Mark Your Calendar: Co-op Arrives November 21[/h2][p]All these improvements are available now in the current demo. Then, on November 21, Co-op Mode will officially arrive, bringing team-based play to the Zodiac Trials!

We’ll share more details and previews closer to release — so make sure your squad is ready.[/p][p]
[/p][p][/p][p]—[/p][p][/p][p]Crafted with Love,[/p][p]Mixed Realms[/p][p]
You can find us on: [/p][p]Discord / X (Twitter) / Tiktok / Youtube / Reddit [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Full Patch Notes:[/h2][p]Those with * were inspired by community suggestions![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]