We've gathered you here today to announce our latest Experimental build!
We’re so excited to get our console version out in the very near future, but we’d like to get some more hands on the test build that we’ve put together, so we can ensure a smoother launch for both PC and console players.
The core focus of this test are the improvements we’ve made to local co-op, character presets, UI updates, overworld changes, and the long-awaited update to Scourge drops.
Keep in mind that this is an experimental branch and there may be bugs that are not present in the main application. If you run into any, feel free to send a bug report our way using the F1 key in game, or via our Support channel in the Discord.
To access the Experimental Build, right click on For the King II, then select Properties > Betas > Then select Experimental from the drop down list.
Please note that any Experimental Branch progress, leaderboard scores, lore, and adventure challenges will not carry over to the Main Branch.
Overworld
We’ve made some big improvements to the overworld visuals to improve readability. The overall theme was to reduce clutter and update visuals so players can better understand what’s happening in the game.
- Redesigning the hex overlays. - We’ve updated and softened the presentation of hexes to help with visual clarity.
- Lowered the overworld elevation a bit. - We like the visuals that the hex elevation brings, but they don’t offer any gameplay value. Previously encounters and such could be partially blocked if they were unfortunately spawned on a lowered hex at a bad angle. So we’ve reduced the height of the elevation to keep the flavour but reduce the chance of POIs spawning in a challenging hex.
Controller and Local Co-op
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With our ongoing efforts for console we’ve put quite a bit of work into making controllers function and feel much better.
- Local Co-op will now allow for multiple controller inputs and UI changes have been implemented to reflect this.
- Changes to how the controller works throughout the game. Honed into player feedback and adjusted controller to reflect those requests
Optimization
- Optimized multiple areas to improve most areas of the game: loading into adventures, dungeons, combat, and more.
- Improved performance when graphics and/or textures are set to low or very low by using static images in item cards. This improves multiple areas of the gameplay experience when running on these lower graphical settings.
Gameplay
- Updated Scourge Legendary Drops - Following community feedback on Scourge drops feeling underwhelming, we’ve given them a once-over to include some more beneficial stats and have them feel a little more powerful, given the path to their acquisition.
- The Royal Droll Scourge - The Royal Droll’s Scourge has now joined the roster of Scourges designed to impede Adventurer’s progress! Find him randomly throughout chapters 2- 5.
- After Party Rock
- Jelly King/King Boner
- Pogey
- Chaos Captain
- Spine Snapper These bosses begin spawning post-floor 50
New Dark Carnival Bosses
UI Update
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Elements of the UI have been changed to reflect the new controller options. These are optimized for mouse and keyboard use also, so we’d like to get feedback on any form of input you prefer to play with, though controller testing is preferred as it’s had the largest amount of changes.
- Character Creation Update- Overhauled with some visual polish and better user experience.
- Character Presets - Save your cosmetic loadouts to save time when kicking off a new run.
- Party Menu/Controller Reassignment
- General controller UI elements - New UI/UX elements such as L2&R2 to open Quest log, Triangle to open inventory, etc.
Steam Remote Play
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- With the added controller improvements, we’ve also enabled Steam Remote Play on this build. The plan is to roll this out shortly onto the main branch, but we want to get some player data on controller improvements first.
Misc.
- New Loading Screens- Each campaign has some wonderful new loading screens put together by the art team showing off what’s to come in the adventure!
Thank you for your continued support!
⚔️IronOak Games
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