Major Demo Update Alpha 3 - New alien boss and Complete Stage Rework

Demo Update Alpha 3 is here in time for Next Fest (which starts Oct 13th, 2025). This update brings a complete rework of both demo stages, complete with reworked environments, new enemies and a new boss! This also includes Pass and Failure at the end of the stage, with consequences for your team that affects dialogue and future events in the game.

I'm super excited for Next Fest and can't wait to get feedback, chat with players, and try all the other great games on Steam!

A New Disgusting Boss!

More Focus on the Grappling Hook

The grappling hook is a big hit with players and really embraces one of the most unique mechanics of the game - the ability to grab enemies, weapons and objects from the world to use against your enemies. This mechanic is getting more attention and will be reflected in the game's presentation including logo and other marketing materials in the future.

Many new expanded mechanics have been added to enhance the grappling hook:

• Grappling Hook deflects bullets! This is a major countermeasure against some enemies and can wipe out bosses VERY quickly if you are accurate and brave enough to try it!

• Grappling Hook destroys enemy missiles.

• Large objects like Asteroids can be shoved using the Grappling Hook, and these objects do damage to other objects and enemies based on their velocity.

• Smaller asteroids and objects like throwable containers have had their throw velocities increased, many of these objects do heavy damage even when thrown without fully charging up for a full second.

• Collisions around held objects and objects as they are being pulled in by the hook have been improved to help avoid objects being destroyed inadvertantly.

• When hitting objects which cannot be grappled a sound and spark effect is shown to make it a bit more obvious.

• Grappling hook can now pickup score pickups.

• Coming Soon: Grappling hook will "Open" power up containers

Notable Changes

• Stages/Environments

  • Grid 38 (Stage 1) area has been reworked to be more cohesive and follow the briefing the player receives at the beginning of the game.

    • Reactor area has been moved to the end of the stage

      • If players do not defeat the Combat Jet boss, the boss will destroy the reactor (which also means any NPCs stationed here in the future will be gone for the rest of the game)

      • If players defeat the Combat Jet boss, they can visit this final section and collect the Option power-up and receive bonus points before the end of the stage.

    • New Enemy - Split-Shot Bot (head)- this is an early low-stakes enemy that fires volleys of two-way shots. When held the bot fires up to 12 volleys downwards from the player's ship. You might see this enemy "heading up" a larger robot in the future!

    • New starting area showcasing the grappling hook, and using the grappling hook fetch a battery and insert it to open the main gate.

    • New asteroid field area and background assets

    • Completely reworked pacing, but there is more to improve in this regard.

    • Reworked the Asteroid Base interior completely with new art assets

  • Shipyard 7 (Stage 2) area has been completely reworked

    • New background elements, including capital ship (destroyed and built variants)

    • New damage effects all over the Shipyard

    • New 3D parallax effects on the interior walls

    • Expanded assembly plant area with an additional Smasher

    • New Enemy: Spore Pod

    • New alien nest area with creepy hair-like growth

    • New Boss: Flesh Horror

      • Central Eye is the main boss weak point.

      • Boss is accompanied