I may have promised at some point that X update was the final major one. Unfortunately, I am both a perfectionist and a liar.
In a the over half a year between then and now, I kept trying to refine stuff having received a good deal of feedback, and then the scope got really out of hand, and so on, until I inevitably push another major update to CC.
Here a few things that WILL be in the next update (because it’s not quite done, see below)
Many, many portrait updates
More than a dozen portraits have changed. Quite a few of them such as Mince, the Twins and Xeo actually debuted in my minihack, Settled by Sunrise for the Pride Game Jam.
Featured: Tasel by Stitch and Reiker by Levin
Two more characters for late game
CC veterans might know that character recruitment tends to be frontloaded. Two additional characters have snuck it to fill out a last few slots if necessary.
Featured: Portrait originally by Laurent Lacroix, scarf by Luminescent Blade
Slightly more forgiving early game
- Some chapter and timer tweaks, such as Chapter 1 is now seize with no time limit, to give more time for the player to get used to the characters without being under pressure.
- Universal EXP cap on turn 13 no longer exists. This was originally to disencourage anti-turtle farming, but anyone who wants to commit to that can easily do it on arrival anyways. May as well not stress out the player if I don’t have to.
QoL and fixes
- No more keys/locktouch. Every character can now open doors and chests.
- Prep shop now updates past ch14x.
- Various bug fixes
- New palettes for a few chapters
Text
- Added several dozen new battle quotes. Every playable will have at least few, even Helisent!
- Reformatted a lot of text
- Rewrote some scenes
- Rewrote certain character endings and expanded on epilogue
- A lot of things I’ve forgotten about
OKAY, BUT WHERE IS IT? WHY ARE YOU DOING AN “UPDATE ANNOUNCEMENT” AND NOT AN ACTUAL UPDATE?
Because this update will only be available on my patreon for-
I’m not even going to finish the bit because someone might actually take it seriously.
I’m basically done, but there’s a few things I’ve not quite decided on. which you might be able to help me reach a decision by “Going to the Polls”.
Poll A: Quests
While sidequests are shown in the guide, by the time the player reaches the chapter the sidequest is in, it might not be clear that this is the corresponding chapter, or they may have already forgotten about the guide entry given it is unlocked hours ago. As a result, I am considering how I should signpost the quests.
- Solely as a guide entry (current implementation)
- Guide entry states which chapter the side quest is in
- The side quest is pointed out in the corresponding chapter directly
Poll B: The Introduction
Another issue is that I’ve been told the 1st chapter is very daunting, especially since six characters are introduced at once with decently complicated kits. This has been partially mitigated with ch1 no longer having any time limit (in the upcoming update), as well as the optional tutorial.
However, the tutorial may give the impression that CC is a very puzzlelike game in which you MUST uses the skills the right way to win. That’s the exact opposite of what I’m going for, which is that maps can be beaten through regular gameplay without having to abuse every advantage. I’m curious whether an additional chapter should be considered to better ease the player into things.
- Optional tutorial is sufficient (current implementation)
- Re-do the tutorial
- Add an additional prologue chapter for better pacing
If you have any input on the matter, or just have some other suggestion, feel free to put in the thread.
“Poll” C: The confusing world of CC
A common point of feedback is that people found the story of CC hard to follow at points. I’ve got one idea of how to mitigate it, being use of world map eventing to show to state of the world and what people are up to, but I’d to hear from people which sections were the most confusing parts, and if people have got any ideas for it. (I’m assuming its just the ch11-20 stretch, but I could be wrong.)
Leave any such comments in the thread or discord.
Poll D: Just for fun
MAJOR spoilers for anyone who hasn't beaten the game
Which was your preferred side?
- Listen to Tower
- Did not listen to Tower
Hopefully I can wrap stuff up and push the next update soon. Hopefully.