Greetings, friends! Today we would like to present you with a new update for the game. This time, we've spent most of our time adding new QoL features, advancing the plot, and expanding the locations you've already explored with new characters, monsters, secrets, and more.
Swordhaven has gained a few new spots, like the Gate Quarterwhich will be properly populated with characters in the next updates, but already has some things to check out, including a quest.
Another area that received attention this time is what lies beneath it: Swordhaven Sewers. A sprawling underground complex beneath a large city like Swordhaven is home to dozens of monsters, including new ones like Sewer Porridgea malicious jelly that can multiply at will. There are traps, locked doors, and hidey-holes galore. One such secret contains a unique new weapon: a parrying blade that doesn't attack the enemy, but instead catches their weapon or claws mid-swing and retaliates.
Older locations like Smelters Row, the Outskirts, and Tomer's House got more quests and charactersthose who'd teach you new weapon techniques and offer other interesting rewards, including magic crystals that let you see into the future... sort of!
Regarding QoL, this update finally lets you select the difficulty level and switch between them at any time. Easy Mode includes a host of player-suggested bonuses, while Hard Mode offers an extra challenge for those who thought our previous setting was a walk in the park. Be warnedcompanion death is now permanent, so tread carefully!
Many suggestions from players who aren't focused on difficulty were also taken into accountfor example, stunning or paralyzing enemies now gives a much bigger accuracy boost. Many random encounters were reworked, and slowdown zoneslike swampy waterswere significantly improved, now functioning much more accurately. Taverns and smithies now have interactive signs that make it easier to find those buildings in lived-in areas both old and new.
The first iteration of ModKit has also been added for all you modders out there. We hope to get a lot of feedback from you in order to improve the toolset more! Plot-wise the game now holds the second encounter with the evil Bloodclaw. And even non-plot related quests now hold more story, for example Tomer's line of quests.
New monsters have also been added: Terror Birds that swoop from the skies to attack you with their razor-sharp beaks, Saber Cats with their nasty talons, and, of course, the aforementioned Sewer Porridge. Existing enemies have also been improved, gaining new perks and traits. New types of secretslike loose bricks in the sewer, signs, lore notes, weapons, hats, item icons, minimaps... Every aspect of the game has received some love in this update. We really hope you'll enjoy it, and rest assured, there's much more to come this summer! Yours, Atom Team