This update brings major improvements to the Hub World, Combat System, RTS Mechanics, and Optimization while introducing new faction abilities, enhanced visuals, and expanded controller support. There's still more to refine, but the game is shaping up, and I cant wait for you to try out the new features! [previewyoutube=LfJEn5a1Cuk;full][/previewyoutube]

Hub World Overhaul & New Trader System

Trader Added:

You can now buy, sell, and transmute items and blueprints found or earned in the game.

Locked Item Tag:

Starter gear cannot be accidentally sold to prevent losing essential equipment.

Final Touches in Progress:

Descriptions, ability effects, and blueprint prefixes are being finalized.

Pickups Do Not Save Yet:

Until the system is fully complete, collected items will not persist between sessions.

Combat Overhaul Now Fully Controller & Fight Stick Compatible!

Fight Stick Recommended! Combat is now 100% compatible with arcade sticks, gamepads, and keyboards.

New Auto-Targeting for Projectile Weapons:

Aim is now automated based on your Crusaders distance and radius stats, locking onto the nearest enemy. All Crusaders Now Have Melee Combos & Abilities! With aiming automated, youre free to chain stylish melee attacks and combos to dominate the battlefield.

Dashing Introduced:

No invincibility frames, but dash distance varies by Crusadersome even deal damage or set up combo attacks!

RTS Crusader Abilities Now Work in Crusader Mode:

Easier to use RTS-based skills while in direct combat.

New Gameplay Mechanics & Features

Rubys Drone & Drill Ability:

Ruby can now call down a drone and drillperfect for mining ore or bullying enemies with massive knockback!

Full Knockback & Juggling System:

All actors can be knocked back, launched, pulled, and juggled if attacks continue mid-air. All Crusaders Can Now Issue RTS Commands While in Crusader Mode! No more constant switching between modes just to adjust your army.

You can now:

Move all units to your position. Send all units to attack your current target. Some factions, like the Red Faction, won't have worker units affected by these commands, while others will.

Faction Updates & New Abilities

Queen & Black Faction:

Queen can now rapidly morph eggs while in Crusader Mode, speeding up unit production.

Blue Faction:

Units can now be whacked to form Tritium Crystals as part of their faction ability. Seraph Refineries will now produce normal Cinnabar as a resource.

UI, HUD & RTS Improvements

Updated HUD for Controller Support:

New button prompts and indicators make it easier to know what to press.

Index System Added:

A new in-game Index is now available, providing lore, feature knowledge, and status effect explanations. More updates will come to expand its information. Map Selection Now More Accessible: Selecting maps is now easier with a more intuitive UI.

Blueprint Selection in Commander Mode Improved:

You can now click on blueprints directly in Commander Modeno more relying on hotkeys!

Visual & Audio Updates

Rubys New Look:

Ruby has received a full visual update, including a new outfit to improve readability.

Yaya & Clan Clan Progress:

Their dual-use mechanics are being refined. Clan Clans outfit is still being worked on, alongside refinements to other girls and faction units. Passive Weapons Tweaked & Visually Updated.

New Shadow & Lighting Tech:

Optimized lighting keeps strong visuals without sacrificing performance.

Projectile System Optimized for Lower-End PCs:

Projectiles now consume fewer system resources, improving performance.

SFX Slightly Updated:

Some sounds have been tweaked, but a full audio update is still in progress.

Work in Progress / Upcoming Features

Tutorial Mode Disabled:

Until the new melee combat system is fully integrated. Crusader Room & Mission Mode: Still in development, but will be added once the main gameplay loop is fully polished. Rogue Faction Spawns Temporarily Disabled. Not All Visual Effects Are Finalized: Some effects are still missing in-game.

Developers Note

Thank you all for the amazing support and feedback! Im working hard to push Unreal Engine to its limits and make Starmetal Crusaders as fun and polished as possible. Theres still more work to do, but things are really coming together. If you have thoughts, feedback, or just want to say hi, drop by the DiscordId love to hear from you!

[ 2025-03-07 13:42:56 CET ] [ Original post ]