General Update #26

Hey there, time for another General Update.

Last month, while not very focused on new content, did introduce some large changes and necessary mechanics, along with lots of bug hunting and preparation for what comes next. The largest changes were the design of the Main Menu, introducing death to the game, and of course the Gallery mode.

The introduction of a death mechanic also came with it a sense of how the game will play. So far the general consensus that I've seen is that enemies hit too hard, and that some hitboxes are rather difficult to avoid. These things, along with how combat works in general, is always going to be a work in progress, so if you experience the combat and think that it is too difficult or perhaps it doesn't flow in a way that you prefer, keep in mind that it is very subject to change depending on feedback. The next build will address these concerns, at least regarding enemy damage and hitboxes. I myself find the player's combat to be somewhat clunky but that's a different beast entirely when it comes to making changes to it, but a combat overhaul, at some point in the future, is likely going to be necessary (I just don't know when).

Looking forward there are two main tasks that I want to focus on next. The first being the creation of a tutorial system, as along with this will come some essential features like dialogue and cutscenes. It'll be a rather large undertaking, but one that needs to happen and I'd rather it be sooner than later.

The second thing I want to focus on, and something that has been brought up quite a lot, are customizable keybinds. As of this moment I'm not 100% certain on how to do it, but it is likely a simpler thing to do than I suspect. If time permits I'll also make a few different layouts for the keybinds if you'd rather use one that I design instead, and one of these will of course be a one-handed layout.

I can't speak too much of what might be beyond these two features, but there are several things I need to get done regardless. One is of course the ability for a second enemy to be able to join into a H-scene, that one however is going to be one of the largest tasks ahead of me. Though if I get the tutorial and keybinds done this month, next might just be focusing on getting new enemies into the game, some of the ones that have already been previewed here at least.

That's it for now. As always a big thank you to anyone, past or present, that supports the project!