Version 0.5.3 is out!
It's been approximately 15 months since 0.5.0, when I released the first big batch of scenarios. Since then, there's been only two interim releases, neither of which constituted much. In the meantime, however, I have realized several things about map design, scenario design, and gameplay. I wasn't satisfied with most of the last in regards to several of the scenarios I released in 0.5.0, specifically Gathering Storm (E1S3) and Pursuit (E1S4). A few scenarios also had maps which were direct or semi-direct frankens of maps taken from other add-ons.
This release features no new scenarios, but fixes many issues instead. Brand new, hand-drawn maps for E1S0, E1S3, and E1S4 are complemented by updated gameplay and presentation. E1S1 and E1S2 have had their maps improved as well. Dialog has been improved across all scenarios and storytext screens.
Unfortunately, I haven't gotten to improving Ambush in Wesmere (E1S5.1) yet. I am aware of the critique of it being too short, and I personally don't know what I was thinking when I made the map. It will be fixed in 0.5.4.
IMPORTANT: two changes were made in this release relating to saved games:
- The Dark Castle and Keep (Ydc/Ydk) have been removed. This breaks any existing mid-scenario saved games of Awakening - Part I (E1S6). I'm sorry for this, but I expect the number of players with affected saves is small enough.
- Three game-crucial campaign-specific WML tags have been renamed. This will eventually break all current and start-of-scenario saved games. However, I have added a compatibility layer for this and several future releases, which will allow all your current save games to function normally for now.
The full changelog for this version is as follows:
* Scenarios
* Rhaen has been renamed Dravar
* Fixed a border case where Mind Controlled unit wouldn't be able to attack
* Improved storytext for all playable scenarios
* E1S0 - Descry
* New original map
* Various dialog and presentation improvements
* E1S1 - Seer and Outlaw:
* Various aesthetic and presentation improvements
* Balancing changes
* Reduced size of all keeps for fewer recruits per turn
* Reduced enemy AI gold
* E1S2 - Dwarvish Trail
* Reworked several areas to alleviate bottleneck and drudgery
* Removed final objective to move Anathryis and Dalen to the bridge, which
more often than not involves trudging mindlessly across 3/4 of the map
* Improved presentation of the final cutscene
* Fixed player not getting bonus carryover gold
* E1S3 - Gathering Storm
* New map
* Some gameplay changes were made to go along with the new map, the most
drastic being side 3 is now comprised of orcs as opposed to trolls, and
side allegiances have been changed somewhat
* Improved dialog and presentation
* Fixed player not getting bonus carryover gold
* E1S4 - Pursuit
* New map
* Completely revamped gameplay and dialog
* E1S5.2 - Change of Plans
* Improved presentation
* Lua
* Imported new lua-based spawner code from AtS
* Renamed several custom WML tags for clarity
* [take_item] no longer needs an 'event' key. The item id will be used in absentia
* Fixed 'Cast: [spell]' menus showing up on invalid locations
* Graphics
* Removed terrains: Dark Tiled Floor, Dark Castle, Dark Keep
* New terrains: Lamppost
* New or updated unit graphics: Northguard Nightshaft
* Removed many unused images
* Units
* Use human names for the Northguard
* Fixed Northguard Silverbow advancing to itself
* Added 'Northguard' prefix to all applicable units type names
* Port balancing changes for the Leech from AtS
* User interface
* Custom terrain editor group name displayed as 'Shadows of Deception'
instead of 'NX-RPG'