[previewyoutube=LtBqajavmUQ;full][/previewyoutube] Hey Hellsweepers, what a ride it’s been! Since launching Hellsweeper VR on September 21st last year, we've delved deep into the fiery pits together—[i]squashed bugs, [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1341490/view/3860210510756333399]created an evil twin[/url], [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1341490/view/4168717862237144965]added a fresh coat of paint to hell’s walls along with more enemies[/url], and [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1341490/view/6489204638528471338]rehauled some of the systems[/url] for good measure[/i]. And we are not done yet! A few days shy of our first birthday, we’re releasing another free content drop. Thank you for your amazing support and suggestions, which have been instrumental in keeping the updates coming. If you love what you see and would like to toss some warm virtual hugs our way, please consider spreading the word, leaving a review for Hellsweeper, or supporting our studio’s [url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2348250/13Z/]upcoming game[/url].😉 [h2][b]New Weapon: Katana[/b][/h2] The Katana - or the Sheath, as you’ll come to understand more later - is the most extensive weapon we’ve added to the game to date. It is more than just a sword. It is a new system on its own. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40990244/4f205505ca30a466fac0645f63abd6ca326e8385.png[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40990244/b4c856251bac48d4c2833d3c8fc04e7166d668cb.png[/img] [h3][b]We’d let you have fun with the weapon and figure out the ins and outs but here are some highlights:[/b][/h3] [b]Multi-purpose Sheathe:[/b] Far from just a scabbard, the sheath serves as a centerpiece for weapon modifications, allowing for various weapon abilities to be attached (excluding Stonefist, Hellhound's Toy, Magic Orbs, and Sweeper's Broom). [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40990244/c85fc8517beea25b323e91d1519d963f0f8e8220.png[/img] [b]Blossom Mechanic:[/b] Execute a precise cut, then sheathe the Katana for maximum impact ala Brook’s Kasuriuta: Fubuki Giri from One Piece. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40990244/3135e10886dd4c2fc8ddad263ecca3770663ec4d.png[/img] [b]Flashspeed:[/b] Unsheath rapidly for a swift slash that not only damages enemies but can also deflect projectiles. Perhaps, if you upgrade your Katana enough, you can get a teeny bit close to Vergil’s Judgment Cut with a single slash ;) [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40990244/1564373c7abc62c376b12d0576fbcec405992e54.png[/img] [h2][b]New Miniboss: Pride Ascends[/b][/h2] You know him, you love to hate him, and now, Pride is stepping up his game. While his normal variant continues to torment souls as usual, his newly ascended form brings a tougher challenge and might show up when you least expect it. Although Ascended Pride comes with less homing orbs, his targeted attacks pack a deadlier punch with each hit. [spoiler]Watch out for those summoned portals, too![/spoiler] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40990244/cd125e7e66777c1e3bd061c530fad763a943f8ea.png[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40990244/9e20f9ebdb251aca710af6370a7cd3278d85853f.png[/img] [h2][b]New Avatar: Chieko H.[/b][/h2] What better way to celebrate Hellsweeper’s birthday than by paying homage to the OG hero who paved the way for our studio’s humble beginnings back in 2016? We’re excited to introduce Chieko, the female protagonist from our very first game, Sairento VR, as a playable avatar in Hellsweeper. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40990244/8bc3b71f06da503b100cccad7fc871331a8c090f.png[/img] Of course, we've made some adjustments to her design to match Hellsweeper’s theme while retaining her identity as a Sairento agent. If you’d like to see collectible lore pieces for Chieko added in future updates, please let us know in the comments below! [h2][b]New Difficulty Tiers: Infernal & Hellsweep[/b][/h2] Up for a tougher challenge? Our new difficulty levels, Infernal and Hellsweep, are ready to test even the most seasoned players. Dive into deeper and darker corners of hell and reap greater rewards for your bravery. [h2][b]Quality of Life Updates and Bug Fixes[/b][/h2] This update also addresses various quality-of-life improvements and pesky bugs (like the notorious texture bug on PCVR). Check out the full patch notes below for all the details. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40990244/3672d39b59c2f98e05b39b164c5b3d4f797d0800.gif[/img] [h2][b]Special Invitation: Join the 13Z Playtest![/b][/h2] Before you dive back into the underworld, we also invite you to check out our new game, 13Z, set somewhere much closer to heaven. If you share our studio’s passion for [b]fast-paced, frantic hack-and-slash action with a strategic layer of roguelike elements[/b], your feedback will be invaluable during our playtest. While it's not available in VR yet, we’d love to bring it to VR players if possible. It’s launching its playtest on Steam today at 12 PM EST. [previewyoutube=qGbr89YknL0;full][/previewyoutube] https://store.steampowered.com/app/2348250/13Z/ [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40990244/fca389215a80327b078295e80d447a23ad496c1c.png[/img] [h3]We couldn’t have reached this milestone without you, Hellsweepers. Here’s to continuing our first year journey through the Lands in Twain with swords drawn and spirits high! Happy Hellsweeping![/h3] [h3][b]Full Patch Notes:[/b][/h3] [i]All items with * were inspired by community suggestions! [/i] [b]New Content & Main Gameplay Elements[/b] [list] [*] [b]New playable avatar:[/b] Chieko [*] [b]New weapon: Katana:[/b] it's a brand new system!* [*] [b]New Mini Boss:[/b] Pride has ascended! [*] [b]New Traits:[/b] [*] --Instant Reflection: Mega Laser becomes a one-hit attack but damage is greatly increased. [*] ---Mounting Bracket: Certain weapons can now be attached to the underbarrel of the Rifle." [*] Tribute and Roulette will now appear in Vault. [*] [b]Added 2 new difficulties:[/b] [*] --Infernal [*] --Hellsweep [*] Stats can be used as tribute for the Tribute objective. [*] Added 2-handed effects when using the Mace's Flail mode* [*] Curved Laser' trait can be cast continuously instead of a one-hit attack.* [*] [MP] Players can now choose to start the game with 'Empty Loadout'.* [/list] [b]Balancing[/b] [list] [*] Added a curve for certain types of trait effects, the incremental gains will decrease with more stacks. [*] Limited the number of projectiles gained from certain traits but damage is improved instead. [*] Fire-infused weapons will deal 25% more damage. [*] Volt-infused weapons will behave faster. eg, guns will fire faster. [*] When reloading the Shotgun, the numbers of bullets added will be based on the size of the magazine instead of 3. [*] Updated the icon for the Map Modifier Removal effect for Roulette. It will no longer trigger combat after Roulette as well. [*] Added Empty Slot effect for Roulette, when it grants nothing. It will not trigger combat after the Roulette. [*] Levitation Reload will only restore 70% of a gun's ammo. [*] Capped the shop prices based on the difficulty.* [*] The 'Prime Shot' and 'Smoking Barrel' traits now affect a certain percentage of bullets in the magazine instead of just the first and last bullet. [/list] [b]General and QoL Updates[/b] [list] [*] Reduced loading time in between levels. [*] Added toggle for Bullet Time in the Options, allowing players to toggle Bullet Time instead of a 3 second effect.* [*] [STEAM] Added slider to adjust the sensitivity of the grip sensors of the Valve Index controllers.* [*] When items are destroyed due to reaching the item limit, it will priortise items that are not in use first. [*] Added more descriptions to traits so that the effects are easier to understand.* [*] Advanced Melee Grip will be disabled when Sticky Grip is enabled, it will default to Double-Tap. [*] Switching the Rifle's firing mode can now be done while holding a weapon. [*] Added a latch to Shotgun's pump-action mechanism, allowing players to pump it while holding a weapon. [*] [MP] Weapons held will not despawn when the weapon cap has been hit, prioritizing unused weapons first. [/list] [b]Bug Fixes[/b] [list] [*] [PCVR] Fixed 'Texture Quality' buttons not working as intended.* [*] Fixed Charge Magic's augment tree not displaying as intended.* [*] Fixed enemy crystals not spawning when gore is disabled. [*] [PCVR/PSVR] Fixed player shadows not casting properly. [*] Fixed difficulty modifiers are not applied in the first Act. [*] Fixed enemy health slider not working in the Training Room. [*] Fixed too many traits causing loadout issues. [*] [MP] Fixed issue where guns have a different buff tier when seen by different people. [*] [MP] Fixed weapons dropping slowly like a leaf when released. [*] [MP] Fixed issue where holding magic orbs for too long in MP will cause them to detonate. [*] [MP] Fixed issue where holding weapons will always appear to be held at the base grip position (i.e. holding only the shotgun slider will appear as holding the handle by other players) [/list] [h2][b]Looking Ahead: The Alliance Update[/b][/h2] Anticipate more action with the upcoming Alliance Update, potentially landing as early as December this year. Featuring a new game mode, another daunting miniboss, fresh weapon skins, and map tweaks—we're pushing hard to deliver it ahead of schedule! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/40990244/4345004ed912cb0a45bd2a5a86fb408c7f830728.png[/img] [h3]Finally, we’d like to end this update by once again thanking each and every one of you who has played a role in Hellsweeper’s journey.[/h3] To our amazing players—both old and new—thank you for diving into the fiery depths with us. A special thanks to the content creators who’ve helped spread the word and showcase our game to the world. And to our incredible community members, including our Discord moderators and active participants who welcome and guide newcomers through Hellsweeper’s challenging mechanics—you are the heartbeat of our community. [b]Crafted with Love,[/b] Mixed Realms