I can't believe it but version 1.9.7 is finally done! it is ridiculous to me how much work went into this single update but it was worth it. Since the last update I pretty much broke the whole game.=) Never fear, the new version is well tested and should be, enjoyable. I also posted a bunch of new screenshots on the main page that show some of the changes.
Version 1.9.7 Alpha, 4-7-21 Update:
⦁ 16 New Maps.
- New hub region around the Lares Crossroads south of the Mud Flatts.
⦁ You can no longer dig on Stone, Wood or Carpet terrain.
⦁ Lit fires can now be used as Cooking Stations.
⦁ Changed the format of some map names to be more Roman.
⦁ Shadows have been completely reworked and should now be in a fairly final state.
⦁ Fixed hundreds of map issues caused by the Great Actor Stretching of version 1.9.6.
⦁ Removed the chance of getting all or no fish in the Fish Traps.
⦁ Fish Traps now work on the first day of a play through.
⦁ Improved mobility around the large tree types.
⦁ Added a bunch more secret stuff into new and existing levels.
⦁ New Title and Game Over screens created by the talented artist
@eadgear.
⦁ Loads of new graphics and icons.
⦁ A bunch of new animations.
⦁ Added visual effects to many buffs.
⦁ Replaced some Ludus Vanity, Statues and Gates.
⦁ Gave Dia a makeover.
⦁ Fixed the blurry sprites and screen blurring caused by the stretching done in version 1.9.6.
⦁ Made a bunch of new victory poses for actors with default poses.
⦁ 37 New armor pieces.
- New "Mercenary" armor style. Armor is similar to Tier 8 armor but it more defensive and slower. Can not be crafted.
⦁ 5 New weapons.
⦁ 12 New items.
⦁ New Food Buffs.
- Food buffs last 5 battles. Using a new Food while you have a Food Buff will reset the battle count to 5 and overwrite the old buff with the most recent food eaten. Drinks can no longer be used in battle except for Fresh Water.
⦁ 7 New Recipes.
- Reworked Recipe progression to be more consistent. Tier 2 Recipes are no longer visible at Tier 1 skill. Made adjustments to Animal food allowances.
⦁ New Tool added.
- Log, opens up a backlog of previous bits of text received.
⦁ Added new legendary loot to all new battle locations.
⦁ 4 Leaf Clover now grants a Skill.
⦁ Added Links that were missing from the Dev. area vendor.
⦁ Tier 8 Fame Rewards added.
⦁ 18 New Tracked Tasks, A handful of other, non tracked one.
⦁ Main Tasks split into, Story Tasks and Arena Tasks.
⦁ Crafting Tasks absorbed into Side Tasks.
⦁ Added new Arena Tasks to the Settonius and the Korigus Ludus.
⦁ New Old Mans Treasure Task added.
⦁ 2 New Achievements.
⦁ New line of progressive Crafting Tasks obtainable through Handyman Bravus.
⦁ 6 New Recruits, based on the Spartacus Series.
⦁ Added recruitment requirements to more of the old recruits.
⦁ Fixed a problem with Lucceia's recruitment.
⦁ Fixed parts of some recruits descriptions that were hidden.
⦁ New Battle Engine, CTB.
- Agility now controls how quickly and often you attack. RP gain is capped at 10 per skill, 5 for Buffs/Debuffs. This removes the long existing crash if you try to remove all but 1 battle member during battle.
⦁ Styles previously unlocked by leveling up different Styles has been changed.
- These styles are now unlocked with Doctori Points from your Doctori. They cost 100 DP each and unlock the selected style for everyone.
⦁ Added the option to unlock the Orator Style from the start of a play through.
⦁ Fixed some skills that did not reset the cam after changing zoom.
⦁ Myrmillos Guard now adds a flat 10 RP to each ally battler.
⦁ Can now buy HP, SP and First Aid skill from the Skill Learn Menu.
⦁ Lots of new music and sounds.
⦁ Added 2 new songs from the great
@MMMm
⦁ Added BGM to areas that were missing music.
⦁ The BGM Bard is now unlocked at 700 Explorer Points, was 1100.
⦁ New Slots!
- Added 3 new "Training Slots" in the Ludus. Slot a recruit into these positions and they will earn passive exp at a rate of up to 200 per game hour. This is perfect for getting your lower level recruits up to speed.
⦁ The Ludus Smith can now craft up to 5 upgrades daily with DP spending.
⦁ Increased the spawn rate of The Bog Hound, The Bandit Lord and Madam.
⦁ Moved the State Icon for an actors Bond Boost to their Bond Window, was shown with other states before.
⦁ Removed the ability to slot the final recruit.
⦁ Updated Basic Info.
⦁ Added more cheat codes to the secret Cheat Book.
⦁ Increased the amount of healing received by sleeping at a Popina/Tavern.
⦁ Improved the spacing between battlers.
⦁ Unified the respawn times across the board which helped improve the main Parallel Process.
⦁ Made some more optimization improvements to the main Parallel Process.
⦁ Improved handling of DP generation at times where no DP would be gained.
⦁ Training Stations now only give DP during "Working Hours".
Since the last update the game has gone through major overhauls involving the change over to a new Battle System and the repair of breaking pretty much every mapped tile from the sprite stretching in 1.9.6. Because of this there have been countless fixes, improvements and bits of new content that are not reported in this change log. The process of dealing with all of this has been extremely time consuming and with the rework and extensive testing, the game has been altered in nearly every aspect.
I have worked very hard on this version and did not want to release it before it was ready. After much stressing I feel the game is finally ready to go and from here there will be 2 more updates, barring hot fixes, and then the official Beta release at Version 2.0. I am excited to finally be back on track and hope you enjoy the new experience.