Heretic’s Fork: Probation Update Version 0.0.31 – Patch Notes & Review

Hey, Check Now The update for Heretic's Fork! Version 0.0.31 brings a range of fixes, music additions, and exciting changes to enhance your gaming experience. In this article, we'll delve into the details of the update and explore the improvements made to the game.

Fixes:

One of the major fixes in this update addresses a critical issue that caused crashes on startup for Steam users with either missing or animated profile images. Previously, this issue resulted in an unstable launch, hindering players from enjoying the game. However, with the diligent efforts of the development team, this problem has been resolved, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted gaming experience for all Steam users.

Additionally, the update resolves an issue where the rune title text overlapped, making it difficult to read and causing confusion among players. This fix brings enhanced readability and eliminates any overlapping text, allowing players to easily identify and understand the runes they encounter.

Another notable fix is related to animated Steam profile images. Previously, players with animated profile images experienced crashes during startup. However, the development team has now optimized the game to handle animated profile images seamlessly. This improvement ensures that players can showcase their creativity through animated images without any negative impact on the game's performance.

The update also addresses an issue where rune names overlapped, creating navigation challenges for players. With this fix, rune names are now displayed clearly and separately, making it easier to select and interact with specific runes.

Furthermore, the main menu screen has been adjusted for a better user interface and overall experience. The improved layout and design elements contribute to a more visually appealing and intuitive menu, enhancing the game's overall presentation.

To ensure fair gameplay and address an exploit, the update removes the "hot potato" mechanism temporarily. This fix aims to provide a balanced and fair environment for players, preventing any unfair advantage gained through exploiting game mechanics.

A significant fix has been made to the Sunder tower range. Previously, the tower's range did not update when using a card, resulting in strategic disadvantages for players. With this update, the range now updates correctly when utilizing cards, allowing players to maximize their tactical decisions and optimize tower placement.

The performance of the game has been improved as well. The development team has optimized various aspects of the game to enhance stability and responsiveness. Players can expect smoother gameplay, reduced lag, and an overall more enjoyable experience.

Sunder tower, a vital element in the game, has received several improvements. It now scales with tower damage cards, making it more powerful and effective in battle. This enhancement rewards players who invest in tower damage cards and adds depth to their strategic choices.

In response to player feedback, the update reduces the distance at which enemies can damage the tower. This adjustment provides players with better defensive opportunities, allowing them to protect their towers more effectively. Strategic tower placement and defense tactics are now even more crucial for success.

Another improvement relates to the ambient sound in the game. Previously, the volume of ambient sound was fixed and could not be adjusted. However, with this update, players have the option to control ambient sound via the SFX setting, giving them greater control over their audio experience. Whether you prefer an immersive, atmospheric soundscape or a more focused audio environment, you can now tailor the experience to your liking.

Changes/Additions:

In terms of visual enhancements, a background image has been added to all buttons in the game. This addition makes the buttons more visually prominent, clearly indicating their interactivity. Players will find it easier to navigate menus and interact with different features, enhancing the overall user experience.

To provide more clarity when using item cards, the card storage area now momentarily slides away when an item is added. This visual feedback ensures that players can see their items being added and easily track their inventory changes. This improvement contributes to a more seamless and intuitive gameplay experience.

In line with improving the visual aesthetics and intuitiveness of the game, buttons have been redesigned to have a more distinct appearance. The updated button design provides a clearer indication of their interactive nature, reducing any confusion that may arise from unclear visual cues.

Additionally, more visual feedback has been implemented when using item cards. The card storage area slides away when using an item, creating a smooth transition and reinforcing the action performed by the player. This enhancement adds a sense of satisfaction and clarity to the gameplay mechanics.

To improve menu navigation, back buttons can now be accessed by pressing the escape key. This change provides players with an alternative method of returning to previous menus or screens, increasing convenience and streamlining the overall user interface.

The update introduces a new music system accessible through the main menu and pause menu. Music plays a crucial role in setting the tone and atmosphere of a game, and this addition enriches the overall audio experience. Players can now enjoy a more immersive and engaging journey through the world of Heretic's Fork, with a diverse selection of music tracks to accompany their gameplay.

Speaking of music, the update brings new music tracks from Occams laser, a renowned artist known for their captivating and atmospheric compositions. These new tracks further enhance the game's soundtrack, immersing players in a captivating audio experience that complements the gameplay and storytelling.

As for gameplay adjustments, the update introduces the "+30% hellfire dmg" card, which was previously missing. This new card provides players with additional strategic options, allowing them to deal increased damage with hellfire-related abilities. Players can experiment with new tactics and synergies, further deepening their gameplay experience.

In terms of balancing the game's difficulty, players now start with very low HP regeneration. This change increases the challenge factor and encourages players to adopt more cautious and tactical approaches to combat. Managing health becomes even more crucial, requiring players to strategize and make efficient use of healing resources throughout their playthrough.

To enhance the visual impact of tower damage, improvements have been made to the visual effects associated with the tower taking damage. These enhancements heighten the sense of urgency and reinforce the significance of protecting the tower from enemy assaults. Players will feel a greater connection to their towers and experience more immersive battles as a result.

Visual aesthetics have also been refined through the update. Lava, an integral part of the game's environment, is now darker, lending a more foreboding and atmospheric quality to the surroundings. This change adds to the overall visual appeal and creates a more immersive and engaging experience for players.

The update enhances the audio experience of the Sunder tower by introducing improved sound effects. These new sounds further amplify the impact and presence of the tower during battles, providing players with a more intense and immersive gameplay experience. The enhanced audio cues contribute to the overall atmosphere and engagement of the game.

Balance Changes:

In terms of balance adjustments, Repenters now have a higher lifespan, granting them increased longevity and durability. This change enhances their effectiveness as a defensive unit and allows players to rely on them for longer periods of time, reinforcing their strategic importance.

On the other hand, Sin Spotters no longer receive a damage increase but have a heavy attack speed increase. This adjustment emphasizes their role as agile and swift attackers, allowing players to capitalize on their speed and precision in combat.

The scaling of the crit card has been adjusted to ensure a balanced gameplay experience. Critical hits play a significant role in dealing substantial damage, and this change ensures that the power of critical hits is appropriately aligned with the overall game balance, preventing any overpowered or underpowered scenarios.

Several cards have received flat stat buffs to improve their effectiveness in combat. Deliverers of Pain, Persistence, Blessed Sight, Subordinates, Swift Vengeance, Punish, Divine Sight, and Fueled by Light now offer enhanced benefits to players, increasing their strategic value and providing more viable options for various playstyles.

In terms of card adjustments, the tier of the Holy Beam card has been reduced. This change makes the card more accessible to players, allowing them to leverage its power more frequently and effectively throughout their gameplay.

The cost of the Cheater card has been reduced, offering players a more affordable option to incorporate this card into their strategies. This change increases the accessibility of the Cheater card, enabling players to experiment with its unique effects without significant resource investment.

Conversely, the cost of the Praise Be card has been increased. This balancing adjustment ensures that the card's powerful effects are appropriately balanced by a higher resource cost. Players will need to carefully consider the cost and benefits of using the Praise Be card in their strategies, adding a layer of tactical decision-making to their gameplay.

With these comprehensive updates and improvements, Heretic's Fork strives to provide players with a more engaging, immersive, and balanced gaming experience. The diligent efforts of the development team have resulted in numerous fixes, additions, and balance changes that address player feedback and elevate the overall quality of the game.

As you embark on your journey through Heretic's Fork, take advantage of the various fixes that ensure a stable and seamless gaming experience. Immerse yourself in the atmospheric world of the game with the newly added music tracks from Occams laser, and enjoy the visual enhancements that make the gameplay more intuitive and visually appealing.

Embrace the balance changes that refine the gameplay experience, offering strategic depth and challenges that will test your skills and decision-making abilities. Whether you prefer a defensive playstyle with Repenters or a swift and precise approach with Sin Spotters, the adjusted card buffs and changes provide new opportunities for exploration and mastery.

The Heretic's Fork Probation Update for June 17, 2023, sets the stage for an even more captivating and immersive gaming experience. Step into the world of Heretic's Fork and experience the thrill of strategic tower defense like never before. Prepare to face the challenges, explore the depths of the game's mechanics, and emerge as a victorious defender against the forces of darkness.

Patch Notes: 

Fixes:

• Fixed an issue that causes crash on startup when Steam users have either missing or animated profile images.
• Rune title text no longer overlaps eachother
• Users with animated steam profile images crash on startup
• [RU] Rune names overlap each other
• Adjusted main menu screen
• Removed hot potato (temporary exploit fix)
• Fixed Sunder tower range not updating when using a card
• Improved performance
• Sunder tower now scales with tower damage cards
• Reduced distance enemies will do damage to the tower
• Ambient sound is now controlled via SFX setting

Changes/Additions

• Added a background image to all buttons to make them more obvious that they interactive
• When using an item card, the card storage area will momentarily slide away so the player can see their item get added.
• Buttons now look more like buttons
• More visual feedback when using an item card (card storage slides away when using an item)
• Back buttons in menu usable by pressing escape
• New music system (accessible via main menu and pause menu.)
• New music tracks from Occams laser!
• Added the +30% hellfire dmg card (not sure why this was missing)
• Player starts with VERY low hp regen
• Improved visual for taking tower damage
• Lava is darker
• Sunder tower has better sounds

Balance changes:

• Repenters have higher lifespan (+20%)

• Sin Spotters no longer have a damage increase, but have a heavy attack speed increase.

• Adjusted crit card scaling

• Flat stat buffs to these cards:

• Deliverers of Pain
• Persistence
• Blessed Sight
• Subordinates
• Swift Vengence
• Punish
• Divine Sight
• Fueled by Light

• Reduced card tier of Holy Beam.
• Reduced card cost of Cheater.
• Increased card cost of Praise Be.