Dryad Version 3.0.0 - Full Release

After seven years of development, Dryad has officially reached Version 3.0.0!

This marks the complete release of the game, featuring all 10 chapters, approximately 8–12 hours of gameplay, and countless improvements made throughout development and the public playtest.

A huge thank you to everyone who wishlisted the game, backed the Kickstarter, participated in the playtest, submitted bug reports, and shared feedback. Every suggestion helped shape Dryad into what it is today.

Full Release

• Complete 10-chapter adventure from Prologue through Epilogue.

• Hundreds of gameplay improvements, balance changes, bug fixes, and visual polish.

• Improved controller support and overall gameplay feel.

• Numerous UI, tutorial, and quality-of-life improvements throughout the game.

New Platforms

• Added Linux support.

• Added 64-bit macOS support.

• Restored the Demo, featuring Prologue, Chapter A, and Chapter B.

Balance

Traits & Relics

• Increased Windmill cost from 1 → 2.

• Increased Woodland Refuge bonus from 5 → 6.

• Reduced Self Sufficiency cost from 5 → 3.

• Reduced Watchful Guardians cost from 3 → 2.

• Reduced Stone Attunement cost from 5 → 3.

• Reduced Gorgon Curse cost from 3 → 2.

• Reduced Brickbreaker cost from 1 → 0.

Gameplay

• Balanced Crystal Bomb to consume half of the produced Crystals.

• Reduced maximum Plant Extraction duration from 1.0s → 0.5s.

• Updated Shooting Star to apply unique effects for Crystals and Chrome.

• Drop Slam and Shooting Star now consume frontmost inventory items first.

Bosses & Chapters

Final Boss

• Increased Phase 1 health.

• Reduced Phase 2 health.

• Reduced Phase 3 health.

• Fixed enemies failing to spawn after restarting boss phases.

Elder Tree

• Increased Phase 1 health.

• Reduced Phase 2 health.

• Removed meteorites being pushed by the Elder Tree and cavern walls when damaging the player.

Predator

• Doubled the delay before beginning to hunt the Wisp.

• Spawn back tiles during the hide-and-seek mechanic after player death.

• Updated the Large Light Box during Phase 3 to better represent remaining health at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%.

Beetle Boss

• Reduced the frequency of the double slam attack.

• Added Shadow Friend laughter during the Beetle Collapse mechanic.

Chapter Updates

• Updated puzzles in H5 and H7.

• Updated rewards in H7.

• Reduced meteorite spawns in E3.

• Removed Volcanic Flora from H2.

• Updated Ending 6.

Progression

• Moved Follower Blessing from F3 → H2.

• Returned Momentum to F4.

• Moved Earth Armor from F4 → F3.

• Grassballs can now generate a Crystal when energy is directed to them.

Performance

• Optimized HUD UI performance.

• Optimized the Relic Window.

• Added additional gameplay object pooling optimizations.

• Improved overall gameplay performance and stability.

Visual & Audio

• Updated Seed graphics with a subtle border.

• Added missing HUD fade transitions to multiple cinematics.

• Reduced percussion volume in the Game Over theme.

• Display Rest Area instructions only after completing Chapter A.

• Updated Credits to recognize playtester support.

• Updated numerous text descriptions and corrected typos.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed Hearts being granted to the Dryad while the Obelisk was in control.

• Fixed Brittle Empire affecting non-player island tiles.

• Fixed crashes during special level transitions.

• Fixed crashes when exiting through the pause menu.

• Fixed screen blur remaining after skipping cinematics.

• Fixed Borderless resolution no longer relying on a compatibility workaround.

• Restored previous pushback behavior for Flying Grassball Strong Winds.

• Fixed numerous gameplay, UI, visual, and stability issues throughout the game.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. We hope you enjoy exploring the world of Dryad! 🌿