Knock on the Coffin Lid
HOTFIX #3
- Fixed the functionality of the Tarot card "The Hierophant"
- Fixed the behavior of "Demonic Spikes"
- Fixed the intent of "Aimed Shot"
- Updated visuals for the "Ring of Mercy" buff
- Fixed the "Blue Flame" trophy
- Fixed font issues after adding support for the Japanese language
HOTFIX #2
- Fixed a soft-lock when Millenis (Percival) delivers a fatal touch
- Fixed game freeze when drinking Ichor
- Fixed appearance of dialogues and replies from the crypt in the “Elixir of Growth” event
- Fixed freeze when selecting "Knight's Toy" from the bored demon as Percival
- Adjusted free DLC access for early-access players timing in favor of players
HOTFIX #1
-Fixed a critical bug that prevented trophies from being awarded by elite enemies and bosses.
-Fixed the activation of the buff "Secret Technique".
-Added the possibility to obtain the achievement "Oh well, here we go again" in the Steppes event.
-Added achievements to "Grass of Oblivion" and "Tumbleweed" for Percival, as well as to "Tumbleweed" and "Steppe Plague" for Bjorn.
-Enabled the password input button for Percival if the password is already known.
-Added Japanese language support.
-Removed an unnecessary button in the chest in the steppes.
-Fixed the awarding of the achievement "Three Boots Make a Pair".
-Removed extra dialogue lines in the "Druid" event.
-Improved controller hotkey functionality.
-Fixed a bug where entering the DLC with old saves required starting a regular story run once.
-Fixed a soft-lock in the "Fire Brothers' Idol" event.
-Fixed potion sound effects when used with a gamepad.
-Fixed the display of detailed information about events in the glossary.
-Fixed the achievement "Now You Know".
-Fixed a long delay (12 seconds) for the Veteran Berserker's rage (dwarf on a boar) to activate when exhausted (sitting).
-Fixed the description of the "Weakness Sword" enhancement.
Our First DLC "Nightmares of Millenis" is ALREADY OUT!
Knock, knock, travelers!
We’ve worked long and hard, day and night. And the day has finally arrived—our first DLC, "Nightmares of Millenis" is now available on Steam, along with a number of other improvements and updates!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2891150/Knock_on_the_coffin_lid__Nightmares_of_Millenis/
Keep reading to see the full list of changes—we’ve prepared A LOT for you!
Let’s gooo!
Tarot Cards
A new challenge awaits the boldest ones! The ancient powers of the Tarot cards have awakened, waiting for their prophecies to be fulfilled.
Each card holds its own fate, unveiling a unique story, leading to new locations, and granting powerful rewards.
The Conclusion of the Story
Persival, Bjorn and Vanadis, the heroes of Midian, are striving to go home. But their journey is far from over一their fate will soon be decided and their actions will shape not only their own destinies but the future of the entire kingdom. Join them in the final chapter of their story and uncover the mysterious past of Mortis.
Progression of Events
Midian is home to many different peoples, including characters with confusing pasts, complex personalities, and some of them are downright out of their minds.
It’s time to unravel all the intrigues, uncover all the real motives, and finally decide who will claim the throne.
Even seasoned players will find plenty of surprises in store!
Rebalance
Down with the king of evasion! Prior to the future full-scale rework, we've adjusted the current balance by enhancing talismans, nerfing evasion, revamping some battles, and overall making the gameplay experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Share your thoughts on these changes!
DLC Access For Early Access Supporters
All players who purchased Knock on the Coffin Lid during its early access stage (thank you a lot!) will receive access to the "Nightmares of Millenis" absolutely free. You’ll find out about the obtained DLC via the logo in the main menu of the game.
If you haven’t gained access to the DLC content, make sure to reach out to us through any social media or via email 4knockbugs@gmail.com.
Onwards and Upwards!
We’ve been preparing for the DLC and these changes for a long time, so your feedback is incredibly important to us. Join our Discord server and share your thoughts!
If you encounter any bugs, you can report them using the special button in the pause menu, through the Steam discussions or our Discord server, or you can send us an email about bugы to 4knockbugs@gmail.com.
Thank you, and see you in the next diary!
Updates for 1.3.1.2 build
- Added a basic skin system
- Added a battle event logging system
- Added Campfire Conversations with allies for all characters
- Added icons for 8 cards and one icon for a buff, which can be obtained in the "Mad Doctor" event while playing as Vanadis
- Added icons for 7 new potions that can be obtained in the "Healing Potion" event when playing as Vanadis
- Added a new background for the "Elixir of Growth" event while playing as Vanadis
- Added new portraits for the "Worm Nest" event when playing as Bjorn
- Added a wheelbarrow model with dynamite for the "Bomber" event
- Added karma attacks for Mortis when playing as Vanadis
- Added a secret boss
- Added a questline for killing Millenis when playing as Vanadis, tied to the Court Mage
- Added Castle Events for the free play mode
- Added new achievements
- Added achievements to the player’s panel
- Added reactions from various enemies to the "Blow the whistle" card
- Added free mode for the Swamps
- Added free mode for the Steppes
- Added free mode for the Frontier
- Added a number of new endings
- Reworked the mechanics of the final phase of the battle with Millenis for Persival and Bjorn. The strict death timer was replaced with a growing buff based on the number of rounds.
- Added the ability to tame Wolfie for Persival in the "Wolf Pack" event
- Added a dice mini-game in the bandit camp
Bugs
Event Changes/h5]
- Fixed the new "Conjunction of the Moons" event in the Bog; it was previously skipped
- Fixed rewards in the "Demonic Blacksmith" event
- Fixed buttons in the "Keeper of Greed" event
- Fixed dialogue icons in the "Abandoned Tavern" event for Bjorn
- Fixed dialogues in the "Abandoned Tavern" event for Bjorn
- Fixed the logic of new dialogue line appearances in the "Court Mage" event for Vanadis
- Fixed a localization error in the "Old Cemetery" event for Persival
- Fixed an issue where the "Net" card wasn’t awarded after restarting the battle in the "Worm Trawling" event
- Fixed an issue where mite eggs weren’t awarded in the "Bloated Mite" event
- Fixed an issue with awarding the "Clan Amulet" in the "Membership" event for Vanadis
- Fixed an issue with awarding "Batu’s fat" for Bjorn
- Fixed an issue with awarding the "Clan Leader" card for Bjorn
- Fixed dialogues in the "Membership" event for Bjorn
- Fixed an issue with awarding the Clan Amulet in the "Orc Tourney" event for Persival
- Fixed dialogues in the "Orc Tourney" event for Persival
- Fixed an issue in the "Grum or Gorbigon?" event for Bjorn
- Fixed dialogues in the "Goblin Town" event for Bjorn
- Fixed dialogues in the "Traveling Merchant" event for Bjorn
- Fixed an issue in the "Hide and Seek" event for Vanadis
- Fixed the questline for killing Millenis for Vanadis, related to the Traveling Merchant
- Fixed an issue in the "Worm Nest" event for Bjorn
- Fixed an issue in the "Demonic Blacksmith" event for Persival
- Fixed an issue in the "Oath of Fealty" event for Persival
- Fixed the karma in responses in the "Gatekeeper" event for Bjorn
- Fixed the background in the battle with the "Mother of Imps"
- Fixed an issue in the "Unexpected Welcome" event
- Fixed an issue in the "Taking Care of Ancestors" event for Vanadis
- Fixed an issue in the "Bored Demon" event for Vanadis
- Fixed portraits in the "Double, Double Toil and Trouble" event for Vanadis
- Fixed healing in the "Mad Doctor" event for Vanadis
- Fixed portraits in the "Healing Potion" event for Persival
- Fixed the awarding of an extra reward in the "Turmoil" event
- Fixed issues in the "Oasis" event for Vanadis
- Fixed issues in the "Batu the Smart" event for Vanadis
- Fixed issues in the "Orc Tourney" event for Vanadis
- Fixed inconsistencies in the "Healing Potion" event for Bjorn
- Fixed portraits in the "Worm Nest" event for Bjorn
- Fixed issues in the "Membership" event for Bjorn
- Added Batu's vassal in the "Worm Nest" event for Vanadis
- Fixed issues in the "Orc Spearman" event for Bjorn
- Fixed reward distribution in the "Last Flight" event for Persival
- Fixed issues in the "Membership" event for Bjorn
- Fixed reward distribution in the "Healing Potion" event for Persival
- Improved the "Last Flight" event for Bjorn
- Fixed issues in the "Worm Trawling" event for Bjorn
- Fixed issues in the "Goblin Town" event for Vanadis
- Expanded the "Orc Tourney" event for Bjorn
- Fixed issues in the "Whose Side Are We On?" event for Bjorn
- Fixed issues in the "Whose Side Are We On" event for Persival
- Fixed an issue with triggering the "Conjunction of the Moons" event
- Improved the "Conjunction of the Moons" event
- Fixed an issue in the "Golden Buffalo" event for Bjorn
Soft Locks and Other Critical Bugs
- Fixed soft locks in events where allies are removed, replaced, or upgraded (e.g., reforging the golem at the blacksmith)
- Fixed an issue where a soft lock occurred in battles involving the knight of the Fire Brotherhood
- Fixed an issue where it was impossible to receive all recommendations for joining the Brotherhood of Fire when playing as Vanadis
- Fixed an issue where buttons didn’t appear in the "Steel-Clad Zombie" event
- Fixed an issue in the "Wounded Brother" event
- Fixed an issue where the battle with Sigismund could fail to start
- Fixed a soft lock in the "Goblin Town" event for Bjorn
- Fixed a soft lock in the "Batu the Smart" event for Bjorn
- Fixed a soft lock in the "Worm Trawling" event for Persival
- Fixed a soft lock in the "Herb of Oblivion" event
Other Fixes
- Fixed an issue where the effectiveness of "Exposed" would change incorrectly (e.g., for the "Demonic Amulet" item)
- Fixed an issue where the "Mite Egg" item could not be obtained
- Fixed an issue where DLC events appeared among regular content
- Fixed an issue with the black background in the "Keeper of Greed" battle for Persival
- Fixed the display of the buff for the "Handclasp of the Dwarves" item
- Fixed an issue with displaying the buff for receiving boar ham
- Fixed an issue with the repeat awarding of boar ham when it was already in the inventory
- Fixed an issue where worms in the "Worm Trawling" event didn’t appear after death
- Fixed the mechanics of the "Trump Card" for Vanadis
- Fixed the mechanics of the "Mark the Target" card for Vanadis
- Fixed an issue with illusion dispelling in Bjorn’s final battle
- Fixed an issue with the loss of intention for Gorbigon
- Fixed the awarding of the achievement "Are You Sure You’re a Newbie?"
- Fixed an issue where the "Autophobia" card killed the hero
- Fixed the impact of the "Fury" buff on "Dynamite"
- Fixed an issue where the Golem used the "Self-Destruction Protocol" with full health
- Fixed an issue with the display of the "Centenarian Raven Boots" effect
- Fixed an issue where "Insubstantiality" didn’t work on Millenis' Totem
- Fixed the behavior of the "Light the Torch" card
- Fixed the behavior of the "Stubbornness" and "Obedience" cards
- Fixed the interaction between the perks "Knight" and "Golem Armor"
- Fixed the interaction between "Prepared Attack" and "Evasion"
- Fixed an issue where Mortis continuously healed himself
- Fixed the behavior of the "Cover" and "Respite" cards
- Fixed several of Mortis’ phrases in battle
- Fixed the Strength reset from the "Provoke" intention
- Fixed the functionality of the "Vampire Boots"
- Fixed the mechanics of the "Critical Blood Loss" card
- Fixed the functionality of several daily run modifiers
- Fixed the functionality of the "Demonic Set"
- Reworked the behavior of the "Vile Imp"
- Fixed an issue with the "For Good Luck!" achievement
- Fixed Mortis' karma attacks when playing as Bjorn
- Changed the logic of behavior for Grutall and Moggot
- Fixed the interaction between the "Knowledge of War" card and the "Bone Bow"
- Fixed the animation issue for the "Vessel of Deception"
- Fixed the interaction between the class "Amulet of Death" and the "Elixir of Resurrection"
- Fixed the interaction between "Iatrophobia" and "Shock Therapy"
- Fixed the interaction between the "Pressure" card and the "Bonus Round" intention for Sigismund in the Greed form
- Fixed the interaction between the "Limitation" modifier and the "Tower Shield" item
- Fixed the interaction between the "Toy Knight" trophy and the "Bone Bow" item
- Fixed the behavior of the "Bandit Whistling" card
- Fixed an issue with the "Drawing Cards" card
- Fixed the character invisibility issue when an equivalent opponent is burned
- Fixed "Golden Buffalo’s" buff
- Fixed the "Elven Ale" elixir issue
- Fixed the display issue with the "Amulet of the Acolyte of Death"
- Fixed the issue with the "Gift of Possession" card
- Fixed the issue with awarding the wrong card in training
- Fixed the issue with the "Clan Leader" card when summoning allies
- Fixed the mechanics of Batu's banner for Bjorn
- Fixed a minor issue in the "Elixir of Growth" event for Bjorn
- Fixed issues with the "Happiness is in Oblivion" and "You Are Now Dressed As a Fiend" achievements
- Fixed the issue for when Persival is accompanied by the Thresher
- Fixed the training of the caught worm for Bjorn
- Fixed the display of Batu’s axe for Bjorn
- Slightly changed the logic of the "Cult Keeper" event for Vanadis
- Fixed the "Zombie Haul" event
- Fixed missing and extra events in the glossary
- Fixed the quest meat drop from the crazy dwarf for Anthony when playing as Bjorn
- Fixed the "Crash Test" achievement
- Added a new background for the "Mite’s Bride" event
- Fixed localization issues with special curses in Simeon’s event
- Fixed several issues related to Totem summons in the final battle for Vanadis
- Fixed the missing travel notes about the Fire Brothers
- Fixed split dialogues in the "Gone Astray" event for Bjorn
- Fixed the functionality of the "Strength of the Moon Wolf" cards from the "Conjunction of the Moons" event for Bjorn
- Fixed event and item connections in the glossary
- Fixed connection and dialogues in the "Double, Double Toil and Trouble" and "Thing" events
- Fixed incorrect portraits in the "Alchemist" event
- Added event icon for a special ally for Bjorn from the "Cannibalistic Heresy" event
- Fixed functionality of some special cards when fighting the alternative final boss
- Fixed the "Steel-Clad Zombie" event, where instead of getting an ally, players were sent back to the world map
- Fixed minor issues in subtitles in some cutscenes
- Added a pet icon to Vanadis’ bandanas where they were missing
- Fixed the missing attack animation for summoned worms in the steppes
- Added a battle start button in the Ghoul event in the bog if the required story items are missing
- Fixed the reward distribution for defeating the armored zombie
- Redesigned the icon for the "Conjunction of the Moons" event
- Fixed item distribution for Bjorn in the "Lycan" event
- Multiple fixes to the connections between the "Down with Idols" and "Ferocious Bear" events for Persival
- Fixed the description error for the "Charm" trophy
- Fixed an issue where Persival incorrectly stated the bridge survived after the battle, even though it was blown up
- Added the ability to obtain a Lunar Druid item in the "Wolf Pack" event
- Changed the "Down with Idols" event for Vanadis, adding the possibility of a double offering
- Fixed the dwarf summoning for Persival in the "Ferocious Bear" event
- Fixed the double button error in the "Sharpshooter" event for Persival
- Fixed the error where the Marauder would flee on the very first turn
We made many other changes and fixes!
Thank you for playing! Join us on our social networks:
KOTCL Dev Diaries - The Final Stretch!
Knock-knock, Travelers!
Only one week remains until the second most significant moment in the history of Knock on the Coffin Lid - the release of the "Nightmares of Millenis" DLC. We're in the final stages of adding and testing all the DLC content while polishing everything up. So, we won’t be revealing anything new - there's only spoilers left, and not much else exciting or visually stunning. So let's keep it short!
Onward, Travelers!!
Mysterious Seals…
They say that if, on the third day of the harvest month, you place such a seal under your pillow, spin three times clockwise and counterclockwise, then feed a stray cat some grain, yell at the moon, and go to sleep - you'll wake up to a pile of gold under your pillow! Or… maybe not gold…
But we’re seasoned travelers - we don’t believe in fairy tales, do we? Then again, there is something mysterious about these seals… But what exactly?
Here’s the deal: write your theories about what these seals might be for in the comments, and the first person to guess correctly will receive a unique reward - a handful of gold! All you’ll need to do is place a note with the purpose of these seals under your pillow on the third day of the harvest month, spin three times clockwise and counterclockwise…
An Even More Mysterious Lever…
So many mysteries today, don’t you think? Well, this time, there’s no gold at stake, and you won’t have to feed any cats with grain. But for some reason, this lever was put here - maybe it’s used to move library shelf ladders? Though, no, it’s as loud as a steam locomotive!
Drop your guesses in the comments!
How about some chit-chat?
Hey everyone, it’s the mysterious Andrey aka Innrey!
We’re in the final stretch, polishing up all the rough edges and fixing any bugs that have popped up. We want you to have the smoothest experience possible with the DLC and its accompanying updates.
We had a lot of plans for this period. We’ve accomplished a lot already, and what remains will follow after the expansion. We’ve grown so attached to Knock on the Coffin Lid that it’s hard to even think about future projects. But there’s still time for that - first, we finish the DLC!
Regarding the balance adjustments: the task turned out to be massive, but that doesn’t mean we’ve abandoned it. A new video dev diary will be out soon, where I’ll go into detail about it.
We’re eager to hear your thoughts on "Nightmares of Millenis." We’ve put a lot of effort into everything - from the art and story to the enemies and new items. After all, this expansion has so many branching event paths - it’s no joke! And don’t forget to report any bugs you find - thanks to you, the game gets better, and other players won’t run into those issues anymore.
See you at launch, and thanks for reading!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
KOTCL Developer Diaries - Lock, Stock, and Three Smoking Coffins
Knock, knock, travellers!
Did you miss us? We’ve got news for you! Fighting with Inquilines, goblins, orcs and the implacable sleep deprivation, we steadily approached the castle with the princess Release in it. The battles are hard and exhausting, but we’re certain about one thing—the goal is worth it!
Battles are battles, but the news should go on as scheduled. Especially since we do have something to tell.
By the way, if you haven’t added our DLC to your wishlist - make sure you do it! Тhat way you’ll support us immensely and won’t miss the release day.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2891150/Knock_on_the_coffin_lid__Nightmares_of_Millenis/
Let’s go!
You’ve Found A Prime Spot For Mushrooms?
Just don’t tell anyone—or they’ll take them all. And don’t mind the ominous gates... or the skeleton... or the lit candles... or the screams from beyond... In short, it's better not to look in that direction at all. But if you really must go there, you'd better prepare well—not many make it out in one piece…
New Faces, Old Acquaintances
Here are some fresh portraits of new characters. One of them you may have already seen somewhere. We've finished their storylines, and we can't wait for you to learn about their difficult fate. Can you remember where you might have come across these characters?
Astrologers Proclaim the Week of Tarot Cards!
Tarot card numbers in the diaries are doubled.
We pulled out the dusty cards, wiped them clean, and infused them with magical power. There were so many compliments under our last diary, so we’ve decided to share three more cards (this time without a reading).
How About Some Chit-Chat?
Hey everyone, this is Andrew aka Innrey!
Time flies like an elven arrow—only two weeks left until our DLC releases! The pre-release jitters are getting stronger, but your comments, as always, warm our hearts and give us confidence, for which we are immensely grateful!
We’ve been thinking long and hard about how to make the gameplay more balanced and avoid the dominance of certain cards/items/sets (kudos to elven blacksmiths), focusing more on the players’ skills rather than the chances of item drops. This requires a lot of work, and the first part of it you’ll see as soon as the DLC is released. Our testers are giving positive feedback, and that makes us more confident in our work.
Another undoubtedly important thing for us is the adaptation for SteamDeck, controller support, and releasing our game on consoles. This task is a priority for us, right after the DLC and fixing critical bugs. We really wanted to release controller support alongside the expansion, and it looks like we’ll manage to do that. However, SteamDeck and console adaptations will come after the DLC.
What are you looking forward to in the DLC? Which new features do you find the most interesting or necessary? You can also simply tell us how the beginning of spring is going for you! I’d love to read all your comments.
Thank you for your support, we really hope the DLC will be exciting for you!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
KOTCL Developer Diaries - Digging Our Way to Release
Knock, knock, travelers!
Work on the DLC is going as steadily as Conrad the dwarf’s gait—confidently, but with the occasional stumble. Unlike that lone dwarf, though, there are many of us! We actively support each other, and thanks to our teamwork, we make up for lost steps and head straight for release!
And while we're swinging our pickaxes, we sometimes manage to dig up raw material for new diaries—which we’ll be sharing right now!
Yes, the author has spent way too much time in the dwarven lands.
Let's begin!
Golden Rule of Mining — Never Dig Down!
Otherwise, you might find yourself in quite an unfortunate situation. Endless worm tunnels all around, dozens of eggs beneath your feet, and the roar of an angry mother-worm in the distance.
It’s a grim fate even for a seasoned warrior. But if you manage to sneak past the eggs unnoticed, luck might be on your side, and you could make it back to the surface.
I saw a lycan in the sauna, turns out he was going through a hairy situation.
There’s nothing better after a long day in the development mines than a good steam bath! Bjorn has already prepared his bath towel and he’s practicing his swings while waiting for the steam room to heat up. It'll do him good—he’s looking a little pale…
Tarot Reading For the Release (Real This Time)
We asked our in-house astrologer to do a Tarot reading for the release. Then we remembered we don’t have one, so we turned to the internet for help. Here’s what the cards told us:
The Emperor
The development process is under control, with structure and order being maintained. As long as you keep a tight hand on the situation, everything will go according to plan.Strength
Endurance and inner resilience are required from you now, but you have all the resources to overcome any challenges. The key is to stay confident and not give in to stress.The Star
The outcome will bring hope, inspiration, and satisfaction. The DLC will leave a positive impression and might even exceed expectations.We were quite surprised and pleased with the result—meaning everything is going as planned! And as an ancient dwarven custom has it, when everything goes all-right, we deserve an ale-night! But it's still a bit early to relax, so we'll be saving the elven brew for the release.
How About Some Chit-Chat?
Hey everyone, it’s Andrew aka Innrey!
For a while, we’ve been going through the final points of our roadmap, and it looks like we’re getting close to checking off every last one! It’s incredibly satisfying to see those crossed-out lines on our list, and even more so to realize that we’ve completed almost everything.
We’re wrapping up work on the internal build and moving onto the polishing phase of the final product. Plus, we’re just about done with the input system for controllers—which means Steam Deck and gamepad support are almost here!
Once again, a huge thank you for your continued support! We’re confident that these final touches will make the game even better, and we truly hope the end result lives up to your expectations. There’s still plenty to do, but I have a feeling this release is going to be absolutely unforgettable!
See you in the next dev diaries and don't forget to wishlist the DLC!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2891150/Knock_on_the_coffin_lid__Nightmares_of_Millenis/
KOTCL Developer Diaries – The Countdown Begins!
Knock, knock, travelers!
Two days ago, we announced the release date of our first DLC, "Nightmares of Millenis"—April 4th. Yes, we have a thing for symmetrical numbers. But it’s not just the numbers that look good—our DLC trailer is out too!
Your support on social media has been incredible, reminding us once again that we have the best players ever!
If you haven’t added the DLC to your wishlist yet—make sure to do it!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2891150/Knock_on_the_coffin_lid__Nightmares_of_Millenis/
Now, let’s navigate the twisted paths of the new features in our DLC, as well as touch on other updates and news.
Let’s go!
If You Never Make Mistakes, You’re Not Doing Anything
Thanks to you, we’ve already fixed a whole ton of bugs, errors, softlocks, and more. Join our bug-hunting—we’re always happy to welcome new recruits! Together, we can have discussions and blow off some steam.
And our latest hunting trophy is "The Event Log Bug". The bug might look nice, and it might seem like you can start all anew, but the event log contains many unfinished paths and rewards. This makes it confusing—are the events broken, or is the illusion demon playing his tricks? We've captured this bug and are working on it—we’ll keep you updated.
Meanwhile, the horn is already calling us to a new hunt!
Cheap Tarot Readings for Release...
Our Tarot cards have been ready for a long time, waiting for their moment to shine. When they finally leave the deck, they’ll shape destinies! Well, maybe not destinies, but they will have a big impact on our heroes. And all the magic is in the hands of the deck’s owner.
These cards have been resting in our archives, gathering dust, but also growing in power.
Here’s what our game designer Ksay says about the Tarot mechanic:
Hey everyone!
Each Tarot card introduces a unique condition for the run—it could be either positive or negative, allowing players to try different paths and event developments, forcing them to adapt and approach events differently.
Every Tarot card tells its own story. All unfinished plotlines from the main campaign will unfold and conclude in the DLC, leading heroes to new locations, allies, and, of course, battles.
Additionally, each Tarot card brings a special boss—some of whom you might have already glimpsed in the trailer.
By completing all the Tarot runs, players will uncover the answers to all their questions and see how the stories of Persival, Bjorn, and Vanadis will end.
Spring Is in the Air
Spring has arrived—not just where you are, but also in Midian, where it’s getting noticeably warmer. Bjorn has started shedding his winter coat, and the on-duty gardener is preparing seedlings. There’s still snow in some places, and no sign of snowdrops yet, but our spirits are high—joyful, excited, and maybe a little silly. Or maybe it’s just pre-release jitters!
How About Some Chit-Chat?
Hello, everyone! It's Andrey aka Innrey again!
We’ve said it before—releasing the "Nightmares of Millenis" DLC wasn’t a random decision.
After five years of developing Knock on the Coffin Lid, we had accumulated so much content that the game was practically demanding an epilogue. The intricate storyline needed closure, and some narrative threads simply couldn’t be left hanging.
In this expansion we tell the story of Mortis and Millenis—there’s still something left unsaid between them. But we won’t forget the other characters either.
In Nightmares, we’ll revisit old but still burning questions: What is good and what is evil? Is karma’s work really a slap from Fate, or is it just an illusion of the mind? The challenges will be tough, but the rewards for resilience and creative problem-solving will be worth it—the conclusion of the war in the lands of Midian.
A roguelike deckbuilder wouldn’t be complete without cards, so we’ve added Tarot cards to the deck. Ksay already explained their mechanics, but I want to highlight their aesthetic and symbolism. Our artists have put so much meaning, detail, and dark beauty into each Tarot card that they aren’t just game mechanics—they’re an essential part of Knock on the Coffin Lid’s atmosphere.
Only one month left until the DLC release! Have you watched the trailer yet? What do you think? We’re a bit nervous, but working hard to ensure the smoothest launch possible. We’re hunting down every last softlock and bug, hoping this expansion will excite you, and not disappoint.
Thank you for your support and feedback—it means the world to us. See you in the next dev diary!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Nightmares of Millenis DLC release date and trailer!
Knock-knock, travelers!
For the past few months, we've been working day and night on our first DLC. You’ve seen the results of our work in our Friday dev diaries, but with the arrival of spring, we decided to surprise you with a brand-new trailer and, finally, a release date!
Nightmares of Millenis launches on April 4th!
Add Nightmares of Millenis to your wishlist!
This will help us a lot, and you won’t miss the release of Nightmares of Millenis!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2891150/Knock_on_the_coffin_lid__Nightmares_of_Millenis/
We’ll be sharing more details about all aspects of the DLC in our Friday dev diaries — and there aren’t many left before the release of Nightmares of Millenis. See you soon!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
KOTCL DEVELOPER DIARIES: New Bosses And Midian’s Underground Nature
Knock-knock, travelers!
Development of the DLC is progressing at full speed, and we’ll be announcing the release date very soon! In the meantime, we’re excited to show you the new dungeons—where new bosses are waiting to meet you. These monsters strike fear into the hearts of all Midian’s inhabitants, and it seems that even Mortis’s magic is powerless against them...
Get ready for the new dungeons, grim puzzles, a new mechanic of horror, and fatal battles—you’ll be able to experience all of this in the DLC soon.
Curious about what we’ve been up to this week? Then onward (or rather, downward)!
Increasing Biodiversity
While the sun scorches the sands of the Crimson Steppes above, life is thriving beneath the desert. In these frozen tunnels, you’ll witness the full spectrum of local flora—assuming, of course, that the local megafauna doesn’t feast on you first.
Will you dare to descend the rope and stare into the eyes of the Abyss Spawnr? Or will you turn back before risking your new gear?
Cultivating the Hanging Underground Gardens of the Deep
Darkness. Silence. And… the unsettling feeling that something is stirring in the shadows.
Welcome to the living vine dungeon, where thousands of plants respond to your every step. Have you ever seen nature devour itself? This place is the gardener orc’s worst nightmare. Poisonous vines break through stone slabs, flowers with watchful eyes track your every move, and roots coil around your legs. But what caused this rampant growth?
Some researchers claim it’s just some anomalous flora that has mutated over the centuries. But others are certain: this is the work of the Mite’s Curse, of something ancient and unwilling to let go of this land.
Will you uncover the source of this power… before it finds you?.
Raising the Altar of Death — Your Thoughts?
This artifact, hidden in the ruins, will allow you to become Death’s priest. The altar is covered in ancient inscriptions that glow with a blood-red light when approached. But it seems that to activate it, you’ll need to sell your soul.
We’re finalizing the illustration for this location and we’d love your feedback! How do you like the style? Do you want more skulls and graves?
How About Some Chit-Chat?
Hey everyone, this is Andrew aka Innrey!
And we’ve got a big update is coming… with BIGGER FONTS! Very soon, reading in the game will become much more convenient. But you know, increasing the font size isn’t as simple as dragging a slider in the settings. It’s a full-scale UI overhaul—from moving elements around the screen to redrawing artworks, since many text blocks are integrated into the environment. To keep everything looking seamless and prevent it from falling apart, we had to rethink lots and lots of UI details. We hope it’s worth it and that the game becomes more comfortable for you!
But that’s not all… We’re wrapping up brand-new bosses! Nightmares of Millenis is expanding with fresh enemies. And they aren’t just new opponents—these bosses will bring unique mechanics that will make you rethink your strategies. No spoilers just yet—you’ll see it all for yourself soon, and we hope you’ll share your thoughts with us!
In a game where resurrection isn’t a privilege but a harsh necessity, an endless mode sounds either like a cruel joke or a waking nightmare. But we hope it becomes a true Odyssey for you (or an Infinite Jest, if that’s more your style). We can’t wait to see the global records roll in!
And of course, thank you for your comments and bug reports! None of what we do would be possible without your help. We’ve already fixed a massive number of issues, and you’ll see all those fixes in the upcoming update.
Get ready for new challenges, and see you in the next diary!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀