Hello Ascenders!
A major update has arrived for the Ascend to ZERO demo. This update has a lot of new systems and items added to the demo. These new additions and changes were made with the player experience in mind. Prior to this update, we received feedback where the gameplay felt a bit heavy and slow due to various circumstances. With this update, we hope that players enjoy Ascend to ZERO without being burdened by a heavy grind and to allow the gameplay to flow as naturally as possible.
Players who have played the previous version of the demo
can load their save file and pick up where they left off, but we highly recommend using one of the three save slots and starting anew to get the full experience!
With that being said, we hope you enjoy the latest update for the Ascend to ZERO demo! Read on to learn all about the update!
As a side note, if you have any questions after this notice, feel free to leave a comment on this notice or on the Discord! [h2]New Items[/h2]
New items are making their way into Ascend to ZERO’s demo! A lot of these items can be obtained by defeating bosses, elite enemies, and special encounters that can pop up during a run!
[h2]New Weapons[/h2]
The game has added some new weapons to the game! With this update, players can have more variety in their weapon loadouts, leading to a lot of creative strategies! Will you use tried and tested Budget Saber? Or take down your enemies with a Bamboo Spear? Or perhaps some combination of different weapons that are available to you with this update? Let us know in the comments what your
favorite new weapon is!
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[h2]New Gadgets [/h2]
When designing gadgets, we wanted to make sure that gadgets are not just strong, but that they can have unique purposes that amplify a player’s playstyle. This update brings about changes to existing gadgets as well as adding some new ones, some of which we teased in the preview notice. We hope that players not only find these gadgets, but develop intricate strategies so that they can go as far as possible during their runs.
[h2]New and Improved Chips[/h2]
As mentioned in the preview notice, the chip system was overhauled in this update. Some chips that were too difficult or unclear in its usage were removed, some existing chips got new and more powerful effects, and also some new chips were added.
[h3]Weapon Skill Chips[/h3]
Weapon skill chips have been added. When defeating certain enemies, players have a chance at picking up weapon skill chips which can either
enhance some of the weapons that players have or
pick up new weapons to fill up empty slots. These weapon skill slots can modify the base attack power, the attack power multiplier, increase the AOE size of the attack, and more! These kind of chips are meant to help players feel the growth of power during a run.
[h3]Stat Chips [/h3]
Stat chips have been added. While veteran players may be familiar with chips that can increase the stats of their avatar during a run, these stat chips not only improve more stats, they increase them in a more impactful way. Chips that can drastically increase a player’s critical hit chance, their ability to move through the stage at incredible speeds, and more!
[h3]Slot Module Chips[/h3]
This update will see the introduction of Slot Module Chips. This is a different kind of upgrade for your weapons - these are chips that affect specific slots in your inventory. These chips have powerful effects and if used strategically, can benefit players well - even the weakest of weapons can get powerful abilities.
[h2]New Reward Boxes[/h2]
Rare reward boxes can be found during runs where players will be able to select what type of chips you want to select from. These rare boxes will let players have a level of control of what they want to best match their strategies.
[h2]Traces of Time[/h2]
While attempting to complete a run, there will be times where players will encounter ‘Traces of Time’. Players will be able to select items that will affect their
time-manipulation abilities, whether it be the amount of time left or the time stop ability itself!
[h2]Storage System[/h2]
With all of the crazy new things that players can get, some players may feel that their inventory is going to get filled with too many things. Fortunately, we have added a storage system so that players can keep and manage their precious items safe and sound!
[h2]New Ways to Start a Run[/h2]
[h3]Gabriella and the Time Machine[/h3]
This update adds new ways to start your runs! As mentioned in the preview notice, once you have rescued Gabriella, she can make adjustments to the time machine that will greatly benefit players such as increasing the maximum time allotted to a run, increasing your starting level, increasing the amount of coins that you can obtain, and more!
As you progress through the game, Gabriella will be able to unlock even more capabilities of the Time Machine. The abilities that you begin with are very powerful, but you will need to find Green Zero Chips during your runs in order to enhance them!
[h3]Time of Choice[/h3]
Another way to alter your run is through the mysterious being who greets you in the opening of the game. As you begin a run, it offers a few ways to start your run off on the right (or challenging) foot!
What it offers will differ from time to time, so each run will feel different as you progress through the game. Based on what option players pick, they will need to strategise around their selection. Some choices include
the starting level can increase by anywhere from 12 to 1240 levels and
adding additional time to the maximum time allotted to a run.
[h2]Special Encounters[/h2]
While out on a run, players may find some rooms don’t have any enemies, just a mysterious device in the middle of the room. These devices are special challenges for players, but they are challenges for a reason. If players take on the challenge and clear it, they will be able to earn better rewards!
[h2]UI Improvements[/h2]
[h3]Final Result UI[/h3]
When players end a run, they might feel like they aren’t sure whether or not this run was better than their other ones. The Final Result UI therefore got a big of a makeover, letting players know if they set a new personal best record! We think this will be a great way for players to know how much they have improved!
[h3]Battle Results UI[/h3]
A battle results UI has been added where players can check certain stats from the
last time the player had stopped time. Players can check how much time passed since the last time freeze, how many levels and coins were gained, as well as how many new items were obtained.
[h2]Mini-Games[/h2]
[h3]Match the Images![/h3]
In front of where the future calculator used to be, a new mini-game can be played where players earn Zero Coins.
Be aware that it is perfectly ok to use your time-stop abilities. You are able to participate once per run!
Permanently Borrowing CoinsPlayers can also interact with NPC belongings. Keep in mind that NPCs may not really appreciate players poking around their things. However, what if there was a way to poke around while no one noticed? What if a player can make a situation
where time only flows for the player and for no one else? 
[h2]Other Improvements and Fixes[/h2]
Here is a list of things that the update has improved upon and/or fixed!
- Added breakable objects to the stage, which will grant players certain rewards
- Balanced damage dealt by the player and damage received by the player to improve the thrill of combat
- Balanced certain enemy patterns there were more unfair than they were difficult
- Improved the initial tutorial flow so that players can receive their avatar skill quicker than before
- Improved the flow of NPC rescue missions so that they can be completed in parallel, meaning multiple NPCs can be rescued in one run
- Improved certain UI elements (such as the gadget UI) to be more consistent and clear
- Removed the Future Calculator - the function of the Future Calculator will either be given by default or replaced by another system in the future
- Improved the visibility of obtaining time when defeating certain enemies so that players understand that more time has been added
- Fixed an issue where in certain circumstances, players can get stuck in the tutorial
- Fixed an issue where in certain languages, the text may overflow out of the UI
- Fixed an issue where the grade of items would not display as intended
- Fixed an issue where time-stop effects would occasionally not display as intended
- Fixed an issue where skipping the tutorial may cause certain map boundaries to not function as intended
[h2]Scope of Update[/h2]
We have mentioned this in the preview notice released a few week prior, but because of the amount of things that are changing as well as the scope of those changes, this version of the demo will feature Stage 1 in its entirety and
Stage 2 has been removed. With all the new things that have been added and improved upon, we will that we can better see the effects of those changes with Stage 1, which will then allow us to better develop future stages. We also feel that the new demo will be a better and more complete representation of what we envision the launch build will be. Below is a list of questions and answers that we included in the preview notice, but feel it should in the patch notes as well.
[h3]But wait - does that mean my save file is going to be deleted? Unusable?[/h3]
As mentioned at the start of the patch notes, your save file is not affected at all. You will be able to load your save file in the new demo without problems and be able to play the new demo with all of the improvements that are going to make its way to the update. You just won’t be able to go on to Stage 2.
[h3]What does this mean for Cold Moon Hacker?[/h3]
Players who have already unlocked Cold Moon Hacker will be able to use the avatar in the new update if they load their save file. Starting a new save file would mean that Cold Moon Hacker would not be able to be unlocked as she can only be found in Stage 2.
[h3]What about my legendary gear?[/h3]
Similar situation with the Cold Moon Hacker - those who already have it will be able to use the gear in the new update by loading their file. Starting a new file would mean that players would be able to unlock legendary gear through hard mode of Stage 1.
[h3]If Stage 2 is removed, what does that mean for the Next Fest Event reward?[/h3]
Players who cleared Stage 2 and unlocked Chrono Child - White Night will be able to use the avatar in the updated demo. For the Steam Next Fest Event reward, the new demo does not affect your eligibility nor does it alter your save data, but please do not delete your save file. Deleting the save file can make it extremely difficult to deliver the reward at launch.
[h3]Is there a way to see the cool new things you guys are working on?[/h3]
We honestly appreciate the amount of interest that everyone has in Ascend to ZERO and want to work with the community to develop a strong roguelike experience. We are going to keep taking in feedback, communicate more often, and share updates through our official channels!
This update is a huge one, but we feel that players will enjoy all of the new changes and additions that have been made to the Ascend to ZERO demo. Please continue to give us feedback to help us shape the best Ascend to ZERO experience possible. Follow us on all of our channels to stay up to date on everything regarding Ascend to ZERO!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2697940/Ascend_to_ZERO/
X/Twitter: @AscendtoZERO
YouTube: @flywaygames
Discord: Join the community- Ascend to ZERO Team
