[h3]Attention station residents![/h3] [b]New Earth is a dangerous place:[/b] it hasn’t seen peace ever since humanity fell. Gangs, cults and factions constantly fight for their place under the sun. Many synths are standing between you and the alien ship. So in this devlog we’re going to prepare you for the awaiting dangers. Let’s have a little briefing on things you’ll have to fight. [b]Without further ado, let’s talk about enemies![/b] [h2]Ravagers[/h2] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43690858/de67be5d628f67137dd1323208cef3225e055b6e.png[/img] Aggressive bandits, raiding everything and mugging everyone. Despite their deeds, they pursue a very relatable goal. All their actions are aimed at the most basic goal – [i]survival[/i]. They live under the constant fear of [i]“death”[/i]: deactivation, malfunctioning or running out of power. This dictates their never-ending search for batteries and spare parts. [b]Although, not all of them are violent maniacs.[/b] Some Ravagers are willing to trade with you in exchange for energy. Keep in mind though — they are always desperate enough to attack you, if their deal doesn’t go as planned. [img]https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExMTF6bmxnOHIyZ3U1ZGtobjBzM2I1Nm95NGlrcG96bTlkMXFwZWFxdCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/UvfzONigWVMplBJ0TZ/source.gif[/img] One can’t say they’re heavily armed. [i]Or at least not consistently so.[/i] Their weaponry usually consists of what they could scavenge on the battlefield. [b]Sometimes it’s a plank with nails, sometimes – military-grade equipment.[/b] [img]https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNm0wZ2s5YnJ4b2htZnAzbnA2eThsMzY2dW03Z2JtdXFvamM1NW0wbiZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/Ye3H1u86ZBXjrwDcHO/source.gif[/img] Regardless of what they have on hand, they still pose a real threat to your team. Some of them carry the artillery that flies over obstacles. And some just hit so hard — it knocks your heroes back into an adjacent battlefield. [h2]Ferals[/h2] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43690858/8229322609a8ec3102799ad9378aa58ea3cd961b.png[/img] [b]Some of the synths wandering New Earth stick to a more primal way of life – calling themselves the Ferals.[/b] Instead of choosing leaders or common goals, they seem to have developed a religious cult. And not the welcoming type. From what little bits of information we have, it can be assumed that they worship “the Beast”. Getting more details about their cult proves difficult, since Ferals aren’t the talkative bunch. [b]Whatever their goals may be, they turn them into selfless zealots — and a huge threat.[/b] To minimize losses, better plan your positioning thoroughly. Ambush is one of their favorite tactics. Exercise caution near big garbage piles. [img]https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExaGxoNmNzN3V6NGFqZTBnMW91a3lvbGh1eWplNzhzNHRsc2k2NG5xeiZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/1M82vFt4AcP9QPfQ24/source.gif[/img] Most of them are incapable of ranged combat, but excel at hand-to-hand fighting, helped by their talons, which leave puddles of acid with every strike. It’s generally a bad idea to stand in something as corrosive, so [b]you should try to keep your distance when engaging with the Ferals. [/b] [h2]Renegades[/h2] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43690858/3824c19567c17c0dff3a7eedf43be185884940ba.png[/img] [b]Probably the most dangerous synths encountered so far.[/b] Unlike other factions, they are unified by a common goal. As Dr. Isaacson theorises, the Renegades might have established contact with the aliens and are helping with their invasion. Compared to other synths roaming the New Earth, the Renegades seem to be the most organized group, [b]using advanced battle tactics and deploying a lot of specialized units.[/b] Equipped with everything from shotguns and sniper rifles to stun batons and grenade launchers — they seem prepared to face off any opponent. [b]In most battles their marksmen provide covering fire for their frontline, so your best bet is flanking or breaking their formation[/b] [img]https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExMm02b3JnYjJueXVkOTZ6Y3hyemRqd2cwdm5xM3A3Y3hsdnZwMWt0MCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/uYgnpoSCxb9FkIbT2S/source.gif[/img] [h2]Awaiting dangers[/h2] [b]When roaming the wasteland don’t expect to run only into synths.[/b] Wildlife can be just as dangerous. And with the humanity fallen, there is a resurgence of it — so expect to be outnumbered. [b]Spiders from lairs around the station have developed a weird defensive mechanism — exploding violently on death.[/b] Apparently, some of them sacrifice themselves to preserve the lair. If you don’t want a dying spider to take your arm with it, better keep your distance. There are several efficient strategies: repelling artifacts, AoE specials and flanking their nests. [img]https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExMHA4aWppOGVqNXh0MXV4YmcwejlydXZ5YnAwNmxuYzA2eDZpeXRwbyZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/mfBc0zC1NnDg9Oz8ya/source.gif[/img] [b]And while swamps are swarmed with spiders, rats occupy the city sewers.[/b] Without pest control[i] (or any control, frankly speaking)[/i] they grew in size, numbers and courage. Enough to attack surface dwellers by forming big swarms. They are still pretty disorganized, but there are a lot of them. If you don’t find the life of a Swiss cheese exactly thrilling — do your best to dispatch of them quickly. [img]https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExbWJ2a3plM2lnazA0cWk3dGZ6bDFmNWFuMjBscWNoeW5oOXZrZTRsaSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/Nmacvm4aJuDKK4np2P/source.gif[/img] [b]Our intel also reports sightings of another synth faction farther into the city.[/b] Little is known about them apart from their [i]unconventional way of producing and storing energy[/i]. We will share any findings in the future updates. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43690858/418aef705587358c90f2460b6f02806706946d2c.png[/img] As you can see, New Earth’s inhabitants mostly aren’t willing to help the cause. This only makes your mission more heroic – you’re defying the odds! So don’t let this stop your march to the alien ship. In our next briefing we are going to talk about the Black City and what awaits you in its abandoned streets. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2327640/Deadlock_Station/ Reminding everyone that [b]Deadlock Station demo is available on Steam![/b] [i][b]Adding the game to your wishlist is much appreciated. [/b][/i] If you’ve already become a tactical genius and every spider shivers hearing your name – would you like another tale of post-apocalypse? [b]Ironhive[/b] is a deck-building strategy game in which you try to preserve the last human settlement in the barren post-apocalyptic world. After raiding the outer world from the station, protecting the station itself from the horrors outside should feel refreshing. [b]Try it for yourself in the free demo! [/b] https://store.steampowered.com/app/2679070/IRONHIVE/ And if you want to discuss indie games, exchange quality memes or just stay updated on all our news – consider joining CRITICAL REFLEX discord! [url=https://discord.gg/feVkdbkbCG][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43690858/cb5d04695fbde1b273c98164da3f39f15cd90956.png[/img][/url] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43690858/c122b4f363f5600746f25bc719e58b054b988d29.png[/img] This marks the end of our briefing. We hope it provided useful information and somewhat satisfied your hunger for knowledge. Send us your questions and feedback, it’ll help us make the game even better. [h3]New Earth thanks its last heroes![/h3] [b]Until further notice.[/b]