Shadow SX Alpha V2
Pre-release
This updated Alpha contains a few updates to the game code.
Bloom Reduction
Thanks to a code from "TheHatedGravity", I reduced the amount of bloom that seen in the game to better match what is seen on the original console. While likely not a 1:1 match, with this change, it's pretty much as close as possible outside of using more complicated modifications to the game or Dolphin.
Partners No Longer Play Intros.
I decided to add this feature globally instead of having it as a IL specific change as it will allow runners to focus more on the movement around these interactions to the level instead of either eating the time loss, (RTA), or trying a complicated maneuver to skip the intros.
Prevent timer slow down in Boss Fights.
When using Chaos Control in a Boss Fight, the timer will increment at a much slower speed. This can be an issue when trying to compare run times to other runs as CC could have been started at different times but have similar movement resulting in different end times. With this change, the timer continues tracking time as if the slow down wasn't happening.
The timer change required quite a bit of research and changing to how the timer is displayed in game. Thanks to that, I was able to add the following change now instead having it as a bonus feature later on.
Race Mode
For Story and Expert, the game will now save a running total of past levels in save data. When Race Mode is enabled. The game timer will now show this saved time + the current level time, effectively creating a way for seeing the current run time for the whole playthrough.
I have a few more game changes I would like to implement to allow for a better IL grinding experience, and a handful more for practicing in general, but those will have to wait for another update. This project is otherwise very close to being done as far as game modifications go.
While working on this, I have also been working on the pre-game UI (Dedicated Launcher / Dolphin Configuration) and in game textures swaps to show that this is not Shadow, but Shadow SX. The next release will likely be these changes bringing the project into the Beta phase. Until then, I hope you enjoy what has been accomplished so far!