Greetings Gladiators

Were back again with another update for you. In this update we bring you more bug fixes, QoL changes and additional features. You can read all about these changes and more below.

Bug Fixes

• Player could get stuck on the platform in some situations after using the shop.
• Game being stuck sometimes after the player dying or the crystal being destroyed.
• Upgrade shop displaying the same upgrade twice.

Optimizations

• Improved the way visual effects are handled to improve performance.
• Grouped sprites together where possible to slightly reduce draw calls.
• Slightly improved target acquisition for the Crystallisk.

Quality of Life Changes

• Improved several colliders where the player could get stuck on.
• Increased the size of the hitboxes of the pots so now they like being destroyed even more!
• Improved sorting for several of the sprites so they should properly render behind and in front of others.
• Reduced the contrast of the blood splatters to reduce visual cluttering.
• Reduced the contrast of the arena slightly.
• Increased the contrast of the Player, Crystallisk, and upgrade effects.
  
• Improved visuals of the Crystal Essence you pick up to charge the crystal and gather XP.
  • They no longer have different colors.
  • They now appear larger and in bigger quantities when they are worth more.
  
  

Controller Support

We figured out that all of our fingers could use some training so we decided to add full controller support to Crystalis Descendant!

Difficulty Options

We introduced options to set your difficulty before starting a new run.

Branching Upgrade Paths

We heard your feedback and took it to heart. We introduced branching upgrade paths that only show certain upgrades if you have selected a previous upgrade. A clear example is with the Poison Mastery upgrade that will no longer show up unless you have picked poison related upgrades before.

Improved Crystallisk AI

No longer will you see stubborn Crystallisk who are determined to walk all the way to the opposite side of the crystal to reach their destination. We finally found a method to train them properly and they should now behave and move to a spot closest to them.

Additional Cutscenes

We finally got our cameras out and recorded the emotional moments of when a Gladiator falls in battle and when they failed to protect their vital crystal. [hr][/hr]

Upcoming

Heres a sneak peek at what were forging in the background!

Infusions

Following up on the Branching Upgrade Paths we are working on Infusions. These Infusions will have a chance of appearing every time you level up. Picking them up will grant you the option to pick an Infusion for your crystal, which will empower your attacks with a certain element while opening up related upgrades in the shop at the end of each wave.

Depth Events

Once the energy hotspot has been depleted, the crystal will descend deeper into the arena. Upon entering this new depth, youll be greeted by a random event that youll have to complete in time, before the crystal reaches the new depth. Doing so successfully will reward you with a Depth Upgrade! How exciting!

Depth Upgrades

These magnificent upgrades, which are separate from your regular upgrades, will have an effect that remains active throughout the entire depth. Unfortunately, our chief engineers still have to find a way to make them travel with the Gladiator when they travel to a new depth. So, for now well have to settle with these special upgrades not following us. Don't forget to join us on Discord to stay up-to-date with the game's progress and not miss any upcoming events.

~Boxsun Team