Can't Stop Rory is part of October Steam Next Fest

As you probably know, Can’t Stop Rory is part of this October’s Steam Next Fest, and we did a ton of updates on our demo. You’re gonna love it! (be ready)

This update brings a full map rebuild, major system refinements, and some long-awaited gameplay balancing. A few old friends have retired (farewell Ivy), leaving a big promotion for your bestie: Wink Wonk!

🌍 World & Map

• AdjustedFull Map RebuildThe entire map has been reworked from the ground up for better layout, pacing, and gameplay flow.

• Added Foliage: Completed placement of remaining foliage across all regions for a fuller, more natural environment.

• AddedBroken Stone WallsIntroduced destructible stone walls that Unfed can now break through and climb over, creating more dynamic breaches.
• AddedScrap Piles AddedNew scrap piles scattered throughout the map must be cleared by the player to expand and clean up the farm.

🧠 Gameplay & Systems

• Tutorial Overhaul: All tutorial content is now guided through Wink Wonk.

• Wall Expansion System: Walls can now be expanded and upgraded through multiple levels.

• Wall Mechanics Rework: Unfed now properly break and enter through damaged walls.

• Fully built walls no longer highlight unnecessarily.

• Wall occlusion and collision have been fixed.

• Wall texture bugs resolved.

• Refunding Crop Plot Upgrades: Players can now refund upgraded crop plots to regain resources.

• Saving System Updates: Sun brightness, wall data, and several object states now save correctly between sessions.

• Workbench Overhaul: All buildable items are now accessible directly from workbenches if the player has enough scrap.

• Removed the old unlock requirements — no more hidden items!

⚙️ Balance & Progression

• AdjustedEarly Game BalanceAdjusted the starting economy and progression curve for smoother onboarding.

• Economy Rebalance: Resource costs and scrap returns have been tuned for better pacing and reward flow.

• RemovedRemoved RequirementsXP and Reputation requirements for bunker rooms have been removed to streamline base progression.

🔧 Fixes & Quality of Life

• Unfed correctly break and enter through walls during attacks.

• Issues with saving certain objects between sessions.

• “Unstuck” button now moves the player to the proper safe location.

• Workbench object icons displaying incorrectly.

• Wall occlusion, collision, and texture inconsistencies.

• Game music volume levels.

• Wall health lowered for better pacing.

• Dialog boxes now automatically clear after 60 seconds if they get stuck.

🪦 Removed / Retired

• Ivy and other NPCs (Wink Wonk now handles tutorials).

• Upgrade & Edit functions for exterior walls (these systems are being redesigned).

• Harvest Signs, you can now just click the plot to harvest.

💬 Notes from the Dev

This update sets the stage for a more refined and focused vision for Cant Stop Rory. Thanks for sticking with the project as the world keeps evolving (and occasionally collapsing under Unfed pressure).

We hope you all have a blast playing this new demo! We did our best to bring something super cool to life to thank you for your support.

Let’s not stop Rory together! 🚀