Main changes
• Game migrated to Unreal Engine 5
• Fixed multiplayer
• Added character customization
Other changes, fixes and comments
Single-player game modes
Key game modes have not been changed. Players still have 4 mazes of different sizes: Small, Medium, Big and Giant. Giant Maze is also a competitive mode with a leaderboard.
Network mode
The player creates a separate lobby and waits for other players or friends to join him.
Features:
• Server browser for open lobbies is now available
• When creating a lobby, besides the lobby name and the number of players (from 2 to 4), you can now choose the type of connection:
• Steam (for games via the Internet)
• LAN (to play on a local network)
and lobby visibility:
• Public (lobby will be visible when searching for open games),
• Friends only (lobby will not be visible in server browser, but you can invite friends),
• Private (lobby will not be visible in server browser and you can not invite friends)
After starting a match, all players will be moved to a map with a randomly generated maze. The victory condition is simple: one of the players must reach the finish line.
Custom mode
The player specifies the size of the labyrinth [at the moment the length and width have the same value, in the future there are plans to give the player the opportunity to specify the above parameters separately] and the generation seed. After that player starts and passes the resulting maze.
In the future it is planned to add modifiers to make the passage more diverse, for example: limited endurance, low visibility, a ban on the use of an assistant, darkness, etc.....
User interface
Completely revamped user interface:
• New: main menu, and pause menu
• Updated: settings menu
• Added: character customization menu, code entry menu
Options menu:
• Graphics settings are combined into ready-made quality presets, but if you choose the Custom option, you can adjust the game's graphics in more detail.
• Third-person mode is placed as a separate option in the Game submenu
Game Language
The first time you start the game, the game sets the language, in which you currently run the Steam client [At the moment, the game is translated into Russian only]. Later you can change the game's language in the game settings -> Gameplay, after which the game will run in the language you choose
Code Menu
Was created for the tasks during development, but is planned to be used for other purposes [yes, achievement collectors, I thought of you too].
Character Customization Menu
• You can customize the name displayed in the game without having to change your Steam alias [by default, you will use your Steam alias the first time you launch].
• You can choose a character model and color
Other
• Game framerate is locked at 60 fps. This is done to preserve the fluidity of character animations. However, I do not consider this solution to be permanent, and in the future I plan to let the users choose the framerate on their own, though network framerate will still be locked.
• Currently the following features are disabled: navigator (points the way if you get lost), map at the end of the game, stamina (to be added as a separate modifier for Custom mode).
I plan to add several new achievements and an additional mode Random Maze [random values of length and width, seed and a set of modifiers].
And let’s not forget about the different design of the mazes themselves, from the first early version of the game, and the "Ancient Maze".
Afterword
During this time, I have processed a huge amount of feedback (even though some of it was from the comments via refund) and I will try to take it all into account during future development.
Thank you all so much for your time and feedback!
P.S In a while the design of the store page will change, as well as the screenshots. Pre-relaese branch will be turned off, but a new Archive will be added, where I will move the old [current] build of the game from 2018. And yes, I will aim to leave early access as soon as possible, it’s been almost 5 years…
