Dev Blog #5 | Update 0.5.5 – Your Feedback, our Changes.

Greetings, Wardens!

Update 0.5.5 is live, bringing improvements inspired by all the feedback we received from the community (thank you a lot for that!), new features to enhance the experience, and some thoughtful tweaks to balance the gameplay. Let’s take a closer look at what’s changed!

[h2]Improvements[/h2]

[h3]Customizable Player Experience[/h3]

We’ve introduced an option for players to choose their experience level with turn-based RPGs.

• For Beginners: A small health boost for heroes to make the first playthrough more manageable.
  
• Optional Help: Players can choose to cure all conditions that would otherwise be inflicted during the first fight.
  

Dev Comment: These changes aim to smooth the onboarding process while keeping the challenge intact for veterans.

[h3]Casting and Combat Enhancements[/h3]

• Standardized and improved casting animations across all abilities.
  
• Added distinct visual effects for spells, with unique styles tied to the Seer and Occultist mage classes (coming in future updates).
  

Dev Comment: Even though the Seer and Occultist aren’t in the demo yet, their personality shines through in their animations, FX, and staff designs.

• Undead Improvements:
  
  • Added different hit effects for undead enemies.
    
  • Improved animations for collapsed enemies, like the Undead Dragon and Ogre.

Dev Comment: Let’s be honest—undead blood didn’t make sense.

• Enhanced attack sounds for better timing, volume, and impact.
  
• Improved Action Camera dynamics, which now rotates and follows targets for a more cinematic feel.
  

[h3]Enemy Card Overhaul[/h3]

• Simplified visuals and deemphasized flavor text for clarity.
  
• Grouped similar enemy reactions for better organization.
  
• Improved descriptions to reduce clutter and confusion.
  

Dev Comment: Feedback from the community inspired these changes to make understanding enemies easier and faster.

[h3]User Interface and Tutorials[/h3]

• Updated Miscast and MP keyword colors for better clarity.
  
• Simplified descriptions for effects like Stun, Knockback, and Poison.
• Reworked icons for abilities with limited charges.
  

Dev Comment: Icons were too similar before—this update makes them distinct and intuitive.

• Added new tutorial tips:
  
  • Explaining hero exhaustion and conditions.
    
  • Clarifying movement mechanics when another action is selected.
    

Dev Comment: Some unique mechanics weren’t explained well, so we’ve added tutorials to ensure players have all the necessary information.

[h3]Music System Revamp[/h3]

• Reworked the music system for smoother transitions between songs.
  
• Added new combat and map-phase tracks.
  
• Default music volume now set to 75%.
  

Dev Comment: The old music system’s abrupt transitions often disrupted immersion. These improvements aim to keep the audio experience seamless and engaging.

[h2]Balance Changes[/h2]

[h3]Heroes balance:[/h3]

• Disabled Legendary Conditions.
  

Dev Comment: These were too punishing for new players since there isn't an easy way to remove them at the moment.

[h3]Starting Fights Tweaked:[/h3]

• Adjusted enemy reactions to make the early battles more welcoming for new players.
  

Dev Comment: The opening battle against Zephyrath was a little too punishing for first-time players.

[h3]Boss Redesigns:
[/h3]

• Tormentor: Now only terrifies heroes pulled with hooks, allowing for more positional counterplay.
  
• Succubus: Fewer Seduce abilities to give players more opportunities to strategize.
  

Dev Comment: Bosses should be challenging, but they should also allow room for players to outsmart them.

[h3]Boss Nerfs:[/h3]

• Tormentor damage reduction: 20%(from 32%).
  
• Spider evasion: 24% (from 32%).
  
• Succubus health: 100 (from 105).
  

[h2]Bugs & Stability[/h2]

- Fixed miss sounds not playing sometimes.
- Fixed hero banter appearing too early in fights.
- Resolved UI overlap issues between items/artifacts and progression dials at the end of runs.
- Fixed Scorpions showing -1 Terror in some cases.
- Corrected Inferno Burn stacking display values.

[h2]That’s All for 0.5.5![/h2]

We couldn’t have made these improvements without your feedback—thank you! Keep sharing your thoughts via the in-game feedback form or on our community Discord.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

— The Dev Team