Apocalypse Approaches News

[p]You can download the latest update to the demo for free on Steam! This version contains the newest features, including a new movement tool called Blink, more Cogs, and permanent upgrades that persist between runs. [/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]In version Alpha 2.0 and prior, the Clock could go up to a maximum of 3 minutes. From playtesting, we found that players who gained enough time would feel safe and stop worrying about the clock. We want our players to always be thinking about the clock and constantly fighting to keep it from running out, so we've decided to lower the maximum time to 1 minute.
[/p][p]Also, this means that you’re perpetually in the last minute before the end of the world![/p][p][/p][p]As development for Apocalypse Approaches has progressed, we have found that a fast-paced & high-octane gameplay is preferred over slower and more methodical, decision-focused combat. Our dodge roll was a bit too slow for that kind of gameplay, so the roll has been replaced with a quick dash called Blink.[/p][p]In addition to being faster, Blink also deals damage to enemies that you pass through, and you can upgrade its damage, range, and effects using SOUL cogs![/p][p][/p][p]In version Alpha 2.0, you could find and equip up to two spells from chests and shops, which you could swap out at any time. However, we found that once a player gains spells they like, any other spell pickups that spawn become useless.[/p][p]In Alpha 3.0, we've decided to replace spells with Cantrip, a basic projectile that you can upgrade with MIND cogs. Instead of needing to swap between spells, you can stack a bunch of different effects on the same Cantrip![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]During a run, you can collect mysterious orbs known as Entropy. By speaking to the Grandfather Guru in the Citadel, you can gain permanent upgrades that persist between runs! [/p][p][/p][h3]Flow Time[/h3][p]Flow Time is a special state you can enter that will slow down time, slowing the Clock and enemy speed! Use it in dangerous encounters to gain the upper hand, or to reduce the threat of the Clock while exploring![/p][h3]Time Reserves[/h3][p]Time Reserves are 15-second capsules of time that you can use to rewind the clock! They will automatically activate if you get too low on time, or you can choose to rewind at any point.[/p][p]Time Reserves allow you to go above 1 minute if you use them while close to full time! While above 1 minute, your melee and spell attacks do more damage![/p][h3]Orbiting Time[/h3][p]Orbiting Time upgrades allow you to collect additional Time Orbs that hover around you while at full time! Upon losing time, those orbs will automatically refill the clock.[/p][p][/p][p]We've rebalanced all of our existing Cogs and added a bunch more! In addition to BODY, MIND, and SOUL cogs, which improve your Sword, Cantrip, and Blink respectively, we've also added simple STAT cogs that give minor enhancements to your stats! [/p][p][/p][p]We've added several new rooms and rebalanced all enemy encounters! To aid with exploration, we also added a mini-map in the corner of the screen, and a full-screen map you can view at any time.[/p][p][/p][p]Apocalypse Approaches has gotten a makeover! Almost every piece of art has a new and improved look, including the player, the environment, and the user interface.[/p][p]Additionally, the main area has a new song! Check it out in-game, or in our new trailer![/p][p][/p][p]All of us at ideo ame are incredibly grateful to players like you for supporting Apocalypse Approaches! Your feedback has been crucial for making the game the best that it can be, and we're very excited to keep working on this game and show it to you all! Stay tuned for more updates on Steam, and feel free to follow our socials for more updates on development![/p][p][/p][p]Discord (Exclusive Sneak Peeks!): https://discord.gg/xxFHgpXXcy[/p][p][/p][p]Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ideoame.com[/p][p][/p][p]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ideo_ame/[/p][p][/p][p]TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ideo_ame[/p][p][/p][p]Twitter/X: https://x.com/ideo_ame[/p][p][/p]

• [p]Reduced maximum time to 1 minute[/p]
• [p]Replaced the dodge-roll with Blink, a dash that can be upgraded with Cogs[/p]
• [p]Replaced random spells with Cantrip, a simple spell that can be upgraded with Cogs[/p]
• [p]Added Entropy Upgrades, including Flow Time, Time Reserves, and Time Shield[/p]
• [p]Modified all existing Cogs and added many more[/p]
• [p]Added several new rooms[/p]
• [p]Added progressive fire, which spreads as the timer ticks down[/p]
• [p]Added a new enemy, Strawman[/p]
• [p]Streamlined and shortened tutorial[/p]
• [p]Improved visuals for player, enemies, environment, and UI[/p]
• [p]Added a new main song and sound effects[/p]
• [p]Removed subdials (in favor of new cogs and Flow Time)[/p]
• [p]Many bug fixes (and probably some new bugs!)[/p]

[p][/p][p]For making it to the bottom, have a party with this goober :D[/p][p][/p]

[p]If you have not already, be sure to download the latest update to the demo from steam. It's completely free, and gives you a great first look at our newest features and direction for the game. [/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h2]Introducing Subdials![/h2][p]Subdials are special items you can now find in a run. They act as smaller clocks that can run alongside your primary clock. Each of them has a special ability that is active while the subdial is running. So, be careful when you activate your subdials, managing these time pools properly is key to performing well in a run![/p][p]As a general rule of thumb, subdials have 3 Themes: Body, Mind, and Soul. These themes target certain playstyles and buff certain stats. [/p][p][/p][h2]Introducing Cogs![/h2][p]Cogs are small items you can equip to your character to increase their strength and unlock new abilities. [/p][p]You have a maximum amount of "Cog Slots" you can equip to, referred to as Tension in-game. However, you can actually exceed that maximum... for a cost, of course.[/p][p][/p][h2]Introducing Overclocking![/h2][p]An all-new mechanic that refers to increasing the base speed of the player's main Clock. Overclock is increased by two methods:[/p]

1. [p]By equipping cogs beyond your maximum Tension. [/p]
2. [p]By activating multiple subdials at once.[/p]

[p]So, if you think you can keep up with a faster clock, then maybe just one more cog will be worth it for your build. Or, if you need a quick burst of damage, perhaps activating all of your subdials at once will be worth-while as well. All tools for you to find the best usage of in your own runs![/p][p][/p][h2]Introducing The Citadel![/h2][p]The brand new starting hub you enter between runs. Uncover the mystery of the Citadel of Ankerrad, and the people within it. Perhaps you can learn something from them that will benefit you in your quest to end the apocalypse![/p][p][/p][h2]New Enemies, Boss, and Environments to explore![/h2][p]We've also introduced a few new enemies, a new boss, an extended first area, and added other improvements overall to that experience. Try for yourself to see how much you enjoy our new build![/p][p][/p][h2]A Final Note[/h2][p]We thank you all for being so patient with the development progress of Apocalypse Approaches! It has been a wonderful time developing, and as our design has shifted we have become more and more passionate and excited to bring this vision to life. With that in mind, we are excited to show you what we have in store for the future. So, stay tuned of course and, if you wish to follow development, and/or support the continued development of AA, please don't hesitate to follow our socials linked below for more regular updates![/p][p]Discord (Exclusive Sneak Peeks!): https://discord.gg/xxFHgpXXcy[/p][p]Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ideoame.com[/p][p]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ideo_ame/[/p][p]Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ideo_ame[/p][p]Twitter/X: https://x.com/ideo_ame[/p][h2]Overall Change Log[/h2]

1. [p]Added Equippable items: Subdials and Cogs[/p]
2. [p]Added 2 new enemy types, and one new mini-boss[/p]
3. [p]Improved the Combat HUD and VFX[/p]
4. [p]Added Several New Rooms and Environmental Assets[/p]
5. [p]Added The Citadel, along with various NPCs you can speak to[/p]
6. [p]Added a New Intro Cutscene and Tutorial to introduce new progression and combat systems.[/p]
7. [p]Added New Music and Sound Effects![/p]
8. [p]Added a new Main Menu with a new Logo Design and Splash Screen[/p]

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Version alpha 1.1 is here, and with it a big helping of quality-of-life changes to all parts of the game! It seems like just 3 minutes ago we launched Apocalypse Approaches on Steam, and we’re thrilled at all the amazing feedback we’ve been receiving. The game is changing every day, but we’d like to give a big thank you to all our early-bird testers, past and present, for being a part of that metamorphosis!

At any rate, here are the broad-strokes patch notes this time around

[h2]Visual[/h2]

• Changed timer visuals and other HUD elements to be more readable
  
• Added dynamic button prompts for controls
  
• Improved combat VFX and made dealing/receiving damage more obvious
  

[h2]Gameplay[/h2]

• Increased max level of all modifiers to V
  
• Time is now paused in shops
  
• Added Tutorial section to the first run
  
• Removed dual-wielding: only one weapon can now be held at a time
  
• Accordingly, improved the quality of dropped weapons
  
• Spells are now cast by holding down the “focus” key and attacking as normal
  
• Added descriptive tooltips to weapon upgrades and shop items
  
• Modified intro dialogue and fixed controller navigation bugs
  
• Fixed bug involving stackable, infinite Big Laser
  

[h2]User Interface
[/h2]

• Player controls are now rebindable on both keyboard and controller
  
• Added a pause menu to runs
  
• Added a settings menu with some visual, gameplay, and audio options
  
• Improved controller navigation, as well as UI selection visuals
  

Players expect this sort of user settings stuff by default, so it’s great having it all (mostly) out of the way so we can set our sights on developing the world, setting, and combat feel of Apocalypse Approaches. We hope you’re as excited as we are to get your hands on the next patch, and many more to come!

Cheers,
ideo ame

[h2]Join the Apocalypse Approaches Discord Community![/h2]

Hello everyone! We’re excited to announce the official Apocalypse Approaches Discord Server! 🎉 Whether you're here to discuss strategies, share feedback, or just hang out with fellow players, this is the place to be.

• Exclusive updates & sneak peeks
  
• Gameplay discussions & strategy sharing
  
• Direct feedback to the devs
  

Be part of the journey early and help shape Apocalypse Approaches into something truly special!

👉 Join now: https://discord.gg/xxFHgpXXcy

[h4]Good news everyone! As the title suggests, the alpha for Apocalypse Approaches is now available for download on Steam![/h4]

                                                                     

[h2]Playtest Info[/h2]

This version focuses heavily on combat and the dungeon crawling side of the game. We are incredibly interested in feedback on our combat, progression, and level generation, and how the time mechanic ties into it all, so we've focused on featuring those aspects in the current release.

As it is freely available for download, you may do so at any time. If you try it out, we appreciate you taking the time to leave a review and, if you enjoyed, adding it to your steam wish-list. We will update this demo as we add more features in the alpha stage, so stay tuned!

If you have more comprehensive feedback, please visit this page and fill out the feedback form: https://www.ideoame.com/playtest

                                                                    


[h2]Up Next[/h2]

Over the next few months, as we add more intended features to the game, we will be posting updates to the demo. Look out for more developments regarding our chosen narrative direction and meta-progression systems! In addition to combat adjustments, weapon additions, and level design improvements, of course :D.



[h4]That's all for now. Stay tuned for future updates![/h4]