[img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40278000/064681f40e38a060f08dc42c628838902d6b8327.png[/img] [h2]New Game Mode: Exploration[/h2] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40278000/58986a19bf46614c55b7848066b78a6bb350be17.png[/img] On [b]June 29th[/b], we are adding a new game mode as an additional way to play Above Snakes. The existing mode that you know and love will still be available of course. From now on we will call the existing mode [b]Adventure[/b] and the new mode [b]Exploration[/b]. [h3]What is different?[/h3] In short, [b]Exploration mode[/b] offers: [list] [*]A non-linear campaign - play through the stories in any order you desire or even in parallel! [*]Total freedom, you choose which biomes to unlock first. [*]Go on your own quests with your own goals in mind. [*]Resources to unlock new biomes are calculated dynamically on which ones you have access to. [*]Every journey can be different. [*]The tutorial is skipped (no Hunter's Rest). [/list] Although this new mode is very exciting, we do highly recommend to play [b]Adventure mode first[/b] (for at least 5-10 hours) before starting a journey in Exploration mode. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40278000/479c664504bc10691ca11a46ee47780a47dd42fd.png[/img] Embark on an adventure with Exploration mode, where the untamed wilderness of Above Snakes becomes your playground. Begin your journey equipped with nothing more than a tent and a couple of tools with no immediate quest at hand. However, you might already harbor a personal quest, such as venturing out onto frozen lakes for a session of ice fishing. Alternatively, you may seek the vast deserts, seeking the legendary Rusty Remington from Mr. Jones. Perhaps your heart yearns to explore the forests, in pursuit of hunting with a bow that's built with the bowstring at Stark's cabin. The beauty of it all lies in your hands as you decide how to shape your journey and determine your objectives. Whatever you prefer to do first, however you want to play the game - the choice is yours! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40278000/02f43521c11ce8cb6fc627b41bd0188e23422707.png[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40278000/90b1fa0108bde02ff7fce45fe9f9eabc8e1c158c.png[/img] We are sure, that this new mode will offer many new possibilities and interesting ways how to survive in each biome. Every journey is different. All of the stories (except for Hunter's Rest) are still contained in the game and can be unlocked at the player's choice. Most of them reward you with a new feature or item that will help you with survival. [h3]Mountains Biome (the Wildcard)[/h3] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40278000/26f95e494a9a6ee30902ce7ccb42380081828dd0.png[/img] In response to multiple requests, we are introducing an exciting addition to your map building capabilities: the mountains biome. Acting as a versatile wildcard, this new biome can be seamlessly integrated into your map, serving as both fillers and connectors. Mountains can be placed in (almost) any location, adapting their edges to match the surrounding biomes to ensure a visually pleasing result. [h3]Upgrade Buildings[/h3] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40278000/f23669b6c956e1dbaf82e0604fec7ccb2dd9d2f7.gif[/img] Another feature that has been desired by many players is the ability to upgrade existing buildings from one style to another (e.g. log to plank), without the need to tear them down first and then to rebuild them. With this feature you can replace those parts in place! We will offer this feature with the summer update. This building upgrade, as well as all other features and changes, will be available in both the Adventure and Exploration modes. [h3]Other Improvements[/h3] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40278000/92160c9a3c1005ae8c0250e99bd0272cf63f9163.png[/img] We also added a handful of quality of life improvements and bug fixes, such as item details being shown in storage chests. We will provide a detailed list of features and fixes when the patch is released. [h3]Closed Play Test[/h3] We recently called for testers to help with balancing the Exploration mode before rolling it out to the public. You can still apply and might get selected on Friday, June 23rd. Please note that if you applied and get selected, you will get an invitation to a private channel on our [b][url=discord.gg/HwBgTMr4WU]community discord[/url] on Friday 23rd[/b]. [h2]20% Discount incoming![/h2] Above Snakes will be 20% off during the [b]Steam Summer Sale from June 29 until July 13[/b]. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1589120/Above_Snakes/ We hope you will enjoy the update and are as thrilled to play it as we are! :) Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! ❤️ Please remember, if you play and enjoy the game please consider writing a Steam review.