In response to recent feedback, the developers of Dark and Darker have released the Alpha #5 Playtest Hotfix 1 Patch Notes. The update includes an experimental standalone locale, the Ruins map, which was previously pushed out before it was fully ready. The team is seeking player feedback to refine the map for future incorporation into the game.
The experimental Ruins map will feature a Survival of the Fittest ruleset, similar to the Goblin Dungeons, but designed for parties rather than solo adventurers. The loot obtained from the Ruins map has been improved and will now be superior to the loot from the first floor of the Howling Crypt dungeon on Normal difficulty. However, the loot from the Normal Inferno dungeon will remain better than that from the Ruins.
The Normal dungeon mode will revert to the original Crypt down to Inferno format as found in previous playtests. Furthermore, the developers have acknowledged going overboard with the new lighting schemes and will return to a more classic fantasy look, which better suits the tone of the current monsters.
Other updates include the return of Valentine to provide testers an easier way to test higher-grade items, bug fixes, and balance improvements. The patch will be applied on April 16, 2023, at 1:15 AM PT and is expected to take around an hour and a half. Players can download the patch via the official Ironmace Games Twitter account.
Here’s the full list of patch notes that were posted on the official Discord server:
- ‘The Ruins’ has been changed to a single layer dungeon.
- The ‘Normal’ and ‘High-Roller’ dungeons in ‘The Ruins of Forgotten Castle’ are renamed ‘The Howling Crypts’ and return to their previous appearance.
- Fixed an issue where players could get stuck in infinite matchmaking when no server list was selected.
- Fixed an issue where Bard’s Tranquility was not properly healing players.
- Fixed an issue where Arrows and Bolts could not be sold in the shop.
- Fixed an issue where Jokester, Holy Aura, Slayer could stack unintentionally.
- Fixed an issue that could cause the lantern to remain lit while wearing it at the waist.
- Blue light has been changed to yellow light.
- Fog has been removed from dungeons.
- Rest now only restores health that can be recovered by resting.
- Achilles Strike duration changed from 2 seconds to 3 seconds, movement speed reduction changed from -40% to -10%.
- Shield Slam movement speed reduction changed from -10% to -20%.
- Hunting Traps now have increased duration and skill checks are triggered more frequently.
- Japanese can be used again.
Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Ironmace released the free public playtest of the game on April 14, 2023, distributing the game through BitTorrent links rather than Steam.
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