Greetings! It's been a while, hasn't it? Since KAKU was released in early access, we have received a lot of feedback, including a lot of support and encouragement. Of course, there are also many criticisms and suggestions. After collecting questionnaires and feedback, our team went through intense discussions and finally determined the content of free updates during early access (you can see it at the bottom of the Steam store page).
Recently, we are going all out to develop new content, and everyone on our team has put in the greatest energy to promote it. However, this took far longer than we expected.
Happily, all content has made significant progress. It's time to show you some of the results.
Spoilers for free updates during Early Access:
Character image
The world of underground ruins
Combat system
Tutorial chapter
Land exploration
1: The image of Kaku
We hope Kaku is a brave, cute and a little naive child. Children's ignorance, fearlessness and curiosity about the unknown may be more suitable for exploration and adventure. Unfortunately, the current Kaku is not loved by most players, and his image makes it difficult for many players to feel connected. Based on the feedback we collected, Kaku's image was completely remade, except for retaining some features.
Kaku still retains his iconic hairstyle, but has an extra braid. We tried multiple hairstyles, including but not limited to Mohawks, Saiyan, and various non-mainstream styles. (Fortunately we ended up choosing a more mainstream hairstyle lol)
Kaku’s head-to-body ratio has been adjusted, and Kaku has grown up. Due to the adjustment of his head and body, Kaku can now make more handsome moves.
Kaku now has his own totem. In order to emphasize Kaku's status as the "Chosen One" and in conjunction with the redesign of the [Ancient Seal] transformation ability and the [Blank Stele] system, we designed a unique totem pattern for him.
Kaku’s facial features are more refined. We remade Kaku's facial features and greatly increased the number of bones, so he can now make more vivid expressions.
2: The image of Nomin
As the heroine in the game: Nomin, after Kaku’s image was remade, her age seems to be somewhat different from Kaku. In order to better match the look and feel of our 'heroine' Nomin and Kaku, Nomin's image has also been reworked. At this point, many players might wonder why we couldn't create a playable female character. At the beginning of the Kaku remake, we did carry out related designs simultaneously. However, due to various reasons, this plan was eventually shelved.
New image display of Nomin. (To be honest, the new Nomin looks like the older version of Nomin's sister.)
Display of new Kaku and Nomin.
3: The image of Geiser
As the character who has accompanied players for the longest time, the old man Geiser deserves a chance for a image update. The main reason is that some players mentioned that until the end of the game, Geiser seemed to have no shoes on and never looked at the player directly with his eyes exposed.
4: The concept of the underground ruins world
In order to satisfy everyone's desire for repeated challenges to the ruins and to make upgrades more convenient, while also providing more space for newly added land exploration gameplay, the world of ruins in the void is now available. It is divided into four sections: Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth, allowing direct exploration of all ruins within the ruins world.
Now the star altar only exists in the ruins world. If you want to strengthen yourself or challenge the ruins, you only need to teleport to the world of ruins.
The concept of four elements in the ruins world.
The atmosphere of the ruins world.
Entrance to ruins.
The key to the ruins.
Brand new star altar.
5: The gameplay iteration of ruins
We have added types of ruins, now there are battle ruins and puzzle ruins. The difficulty has also gradually increased. Now you can only challenge the two-star ruins by completing all the one-star ruins. Of course, rewards are still related to difficulty.
At the same time, we have added the status of mechanisms and interactions with pellets. Piggy’s abilities will also be displayed in a brand new way.
Interactive Mechanisms for Pellets.
New battle ruins.
6: Brand new abilities tree
Throughout our journey, our battles have always aimed for a diverse combination of ability styles and the exhilaration of Musou Games. However, the current version of the ability tree is still far from this goal. In the rework of the combat system, abilities such as Precision Guard that have poor effects and low usage rates will be deleted.
Without taking any time to mourn the death of them, because soaring toward the battlefield were various new abilities, enhanced branches, and advanced feel.
Brand new UI of ability tree.
Additional ability branch enhancements.
7: Ancient Seal
Kaku's transformation ability was a bit overkill, so we completely reworked it and combined it with Blank Stele. The UI and representation of the energy bar that records transformation energy have also been redone.
Blessing ability activated for the first time.
Moves interface UI corresponding to the Blank Stele.
8: Weapons and Equipment
The remake of Kaku's image has resulted in almost all old equipment being unusable or requiring adjustments. We have added some new facial equipment to Kaku, and also designed new main and off-hand weapons for each BOSS.
The set includes new facial equipment.
New main and off-hand weapons of bosses.
9: Slingshot system
The slingshot, often criticized for its limited effectiveness in combat, has undergone improvements through the adjustment of its abilities. We have removed abilities with low practicality.
The original special pellets are also separated from the slingshot abilities and have their own growth path. As the level up, the pellets will have more additional effects. Now the slingshot system is as effective as the melee system.
New slingshot abilities and branches.
Independent pellets system.
New pellets crafting station.
10: Process optimization and scene remake
The tutorial chapter of the game undoubtedly serves as players' first impression upon opening the game, marking the starting point for everyone's adventure in the ancient world. In order to eliminate the old chapter shortcomings, the creation of a brand-new tutorial chapter had been placed on our agenda. We are continuously optimizing the scenes in the tutorial chapter and adjust the atmosphere.
We have integrated the landmarks of the Four Elements Land into the tutorial chapter scenes. While striving to retain the distinctive features of these landmarks, we are also working to minimize the performance impact they may have.
Tutorial chapter concept art. Concept art is an essential part of improving the quality of the prologue and making the adventure more epic.
11: Land exploration gameplay
In the current version, our world map is already quite large. However, we are still dissatisfied with the richness of the gameplay in exploring the land. Therefore, incorporating some novel ideas from players, many strange and wonderful things have been born.
In addition, we plan to make some new campsites for Ponpons, adding a more vibrant sense of life. It should be noted that the interactive effects of all new interactive objects are being optimized.
Exploding flower. Exploding flower. Yes, this flower, glowing all over and resembling a dandelion, is indeed a bomb. Perhaps it could serve as a strategic weapon or be used to break heavy stone doors?
Claw of Baruch. This kind of claws, seemingly alive, are transformed from dark energy, polluting all parts of the land. Only the pure elemental power can break them.
Honeycomb. Destroying the comb will cause trouble for you and nearby monsters.
Poisonous mushrooms. From a distance, they simply look like glowing light bulbs.
Piggy lottery machine. In order to let adventurers make use of their collected junk, the Piggy-style lottery machine makes its debut.
Grimace tree. Only god knows what secrets lie behind the grinning ghost face.
Ponpon camp.
If you enjoy our game or have any other feedback and suggestions, just drop us a line on Steam. And we'll tweak the game based on what you tell us.
PS: Scoop from Ponpon - a special winter edition is in the works...
You can check our game updates channel in Discord to find the latest development content.
To celebrate the spookiest time of the year, we're launching a new screenshot contest on KAKU’s Discord channel with fantastic prizes. All you need to do is take a screenshot of some shockingly cool stuff in the game and share it on our Discord Events - screenshot channel to participate! The event runs from October 26th to November 9th.
Player's Choice Award: One winner will be determined by a vote from all players, the one with the highest number of reactions will win this award. The prizes are Beitong handle with a custom KAKU casing, a Piggy plush toy, and a set of KAKU customized wristbands;
Randomly Selected Winner: Another winner will be randomly selected from the works submitted by other users. The prizes will be a global limited edition numbered Piggy figure, a Piggy plush toy, and a set of KAKU customized wristbands.
The winning works will be featured on the Steam community, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms through our official accounts.
Tip: Works that match the Halloween theme are more likely to get one official vote! The official vote has the same weight as the player vote.
📖Noticed
Event period: Thursday, October 26, 2023 - Thursday, November 9, 2023
Winner announcement: planned on November 10, 2023
Prize delivery: planned for mid-November 2023
Please check the Discord channel for detailed rules.
Because we have changed the anti-tamper method of the game, it may cause an abnormal startup after the update. You only need to update it in time and restart it. If you have any other questions, you can always give us feedback. The following are recent updates:
Game experience adjustments:
1.Optimize the frame rate when [King Boar] uses the smashing skill in the novice chapter.
Bug fixes:
1.Fix the problem that Kaku will not drown due to the change of the judgment of drowning position in Water Temple [Flood of Fate].
2.Fix the problem that the sky texture is lost after entering [Misty Swamps] with low graphics quality and then increasing the graphics quality.
3.Fix the problem that the attribute of the water element Boss [Firmament] is abnormal when the character level is too low in simple mode.
4.Fixed the problem that some texture of some objects such as waterfalls and sacks in [Misty Swamps] were wrong.
5.Fixed the problem that in the quest[Dead End Request] in the area [Misty Swamps], the zombie Ponpons could be defeated in advance by remote attack.
6.Fixed the display problem of snow surface lines in [Howling Snowfield].
7.Fixed the problem that [Nomin] would reappear on the stone bed after completing the main task in [Howling Snowfield] and using the crystal tower to teleport.
———— We will continue to pay attention to the messages of each platform, and continue to optimize and update based on your feedback, thank you for your support!
The recent updates of "KAKU: Ancient Seal" are as follows:
Game experience adjustments:
1.Increase the reward for defeating [The Ancient Guardian].
2.Optimize the game experience of all boss battles. Now the values of the bosses' health and damage will increase with the increase of the value of the character's attributes.
Bug fixes:
1.Fix the problem that [Needle Rat] cannot cause damage to other monsters when it explodes.
2.Fix the problem that [King Salamander] suddenly disappears during the battle.
3.Fix the problem that [Firmament] health bar does not display after the player is killed by the water orbs in the third stage of [Firmament].
4.Fixed the problem that Ponpons respawn abnormally in some areas of [Misty Swamps].
5.Fixed the UI prompt error when waiting for the BOSS to respawn in some areas of [Flame Mountains] after submitting the Soul of Fire and saving [Ululu].
———— We will continue to pay attention to the messages of each platform, and continue to optimize and update based on your feedback, thank you for your support!
After summarizing the opinions and suggestions of the players, we found that the lethal mechanisms in the underground ruins have brought players a poor gaming experience. Therefore, we have recently modified the lethal mechanisms in all underground ruins.
All detailed updates are as follows:
Game experience adjustments:
1. Optimize the lethal mechanisms in the underground ruins. Now, apart from a few large mechanisms that can cause instant death, other mechanisms will gradually deduct blood by percentage according to time.
2. Optimize the first stage of the battle with the final boss[Baruch]. Added an attack prompt for Baruch's hand weakness, now there will be a flashing effect prompt.
3. Optimize the screen performance when Kaku is attacked by Lopdragon's flame. Now Kaku will have red borders all over his body, and the screen border will turn red.
4. Optimize the sound of rising and falling water in underground ruins.
5. Optimize the gameplay of the piggy level in the underground ruins [Lotus in Water].
6. Added a general effect when Kaku is attacked. There will now be a more obvious notification of being hit.
7. Optimized the performance of all lasers in underground ruins.
8.Optimize the third stage of the battle with the water element boss [Firmament].
Bug fixes:
1. Fix the problem that the scroll mechanism on the right side of the Earth Temple [Journey of Stone] cannot be triggered again after the player "Save - Exit the Ruins - Re-Enter" after it is activated, which leads to the failure of the level.
2. Fix the problem that some mechanisms in the underground ruins will be affected by the frame rate of the game. Includes water cannon, water blade launcher, conveyor belt and more.
3. Fix the problem that in the underground ruins [Light Path], after the player moves to the platform through the springboards and saves, the game will save to the state that the springboards are invalid.
4. Fixed the problem that the player could use the ultimate ability and the piggy ability to get up immediately during the process of triggering the skill [Reborn] of [Blessing].
5. Fixed the problem that players would be trapped in the combat area after simultaneously defeating the wind elemental boss [Double Deer].
6. Fixed the problem that Kaku would automatically turn once when shooting with a slingshot.
7.Fixed the problem that the player dodges at the moment of shooting with the slingshot, and neither shooting nor dodging takes effect.
———— We will continue to pay attention to the messages of each platform, and continue to optimize and update based on your feedback, thank you for your support!
The early access version of KAKU: Ancient Seal has been online for two weeks, and we have seen many players have completed the level, but our update has just begun. What will be the next update? What's your favorite part? Which parts are you still not satisfied with? Please fill out the [KAKU: Ancient Seal Early Access Survey], your choice will affect subsequent updates! Thanks to the adventurers for giving us feedback on bugs and providing valuable opinions during the exploration process!
The recent updates of KAKU: Ancient Seal are as follows:
Game experience adjustments:
1.Optimize the determination of the monster's blood bar style. Now the monster's blood bar style will be determined according to the monster's basic attributes and the player's current attributes.
2.Optimize the determination of weapon attack and slingshot automatic aiming, now the priority of aiming at monsters is the highest.
3.Optimize the terrain in some areas, adjust the problems of vegetation floating in the air and players drowning in small puddles.
4.Optimize the proportion of the screen occupied by the cutscene animation, and add a short fade-in and fade-out effect.
5.Optimize the ruin terrain in the tutorial chapter.
Bug fixes:
1.Fix the issue that the fog on the map of some players still does not disappear.
2.Fix the issue that water splash effects will appear when walking on the ground in some areas of [Misty Swamps].
3.Fix the issue of smearing when the player moves in some areas of the [Dragonbone Desert].
4.Fix the issue that the cave with a hidden treasure chest in the [Snowfall Valley] of the [Howling Snowfield] is not displayed on the map.
5.Fix the problem that some sound effects of [Armored Bear] are not controlled by settings.
6.Fixed some other known issues.
———— We will continue to pay attention to the messages of each platform, and continue to optimize and update based on your feedback, thank you for your support!
*In order to ensure the normal update of the game, please close the game, verify integrity of game files and wait for the update download to start (find the game in the library -> right click -> "Properties..." -> "Local Files" -> "Verify integrity of game files...")
The recent updates of "KAKU: Ancient Seal" are as follows:
Game experience adjustments:
1. Optimize the attack judgment of the Baruch totem in the field. Now the attack will be automatically aimed at the totem, and there is no need to hit as many times as before.
2. Added the blood bar styles of monsters with different strengths. Now the blood bars of monsters will change according to the level difference with the protagonist. You can distinguish the strength of monsters more clearly.
3. Optimize the aiming operation tips when using the keyboard and mouse.
4. Optimize the chest save settings in [Stalagmite Pond], [Mushroom Forest] area. You will automatically save the game after opening chests in these areas.
5. Optimize the description of the special attributes of [Onion Headgear].
6. Optimize the transmission speed of the conveyor belt in [Stalagmite Pond], [Mushroom Forest].
7. Increase the rewards of Ponpon Side Quests.
8. Optimize the last maze on the right side of the Temple of Fire [Baptism of Fire], and adjust the position of some shatterable walls. Now it should be easier for everyone to find the correct path.
9. Optimize some visual effects and sound effects of [Baptism of Fire]. And increased the frame rate of the game.
Bug fixes:
1. Fix the problem that the elemental boss does not respawn after being killed.
2. Fix the problem of map fog reappearing.
3. Fix the problem that players may get stuck at the assembly point when going to the assembly point for the main quests in the [Twin Oases] area.
4. Fix the problem that the springboard effect of the underground ruins will be applied to the player by mistake.
5. Fix the level failure problem caused by the save point in the maze on the right side of [Baptism of Fire].
6. Fixed the problem that the location of the chest in the [Paya Volcano - Abyss] area was marked incorrectly on the map.
7. Fix the problem of not receiving any rewards after completing the Ponpon mission in the [Stag's Leap] area.
8. Fixed a display error: When the player is performing the main quest in the [Fractured Icelake], [Snowfall Valley] area, if the player directly looks for Nomin after killing [Hippogriff], the mission guide icon on the big map is wrong.
9. Fixed the problem that the mission failed due to accidental death after the cutscene ended when the player was performing the main quest [Plan] in the [Fractured Icelake] [Snowfall Valley] area.
10. Fix the problem that the frame rate affects the wind speed in the underground ruins of the wind element and the temple of the wind.
11.Fixed some other known issues.
———— We will continue to pay attention to the messages of each platform, and continue to optimize and update based on your feedback, thank you for your support!
*In order to ensure the normal update of the game, please close the game, verify integrity of game files and wait for the update download to start (find the game in the library -> right click -> "Properties..." -> "Local Files" -> "Verify integrity of game files...")
