Combat Update & Performance Improvements

This update focuses on expanding our combat system, while also bringing meaningful upgrades to performance and overall stability.

A big part of this patch was reworking how damage is handled with the addition of damage range and critical strike.

⚔️ Combat Changes

We introduced a few systems that significantly change how fights play out:

• Added Critical Strikes

• Added Melee Base Damage Range

• Added a Camera Dead Zone to smooth movement and improve overall responsiveness

The goal here was to make combat less predictable and more impactful. Instead of every hit feeling the same, damage now has variation, and critical hits create stronger spikes during fights.

We also fixed an issue where armor was not properly reducing damage, which should make defensive builds more consistent.

Additional combat improvements and bug fixes:

• Characters can no longer cast spells when dead

• Attacks are now instantly interrupted on death

🎮 Performance & Settings

This update also brings several improvements on the technical side:

• Added Frame Generation support (DLSS, XeSS, FSR)

• Added an Input Lag Optimization option

• Reworked the Settings Menu for better clarity and usability

• Upgraded the project to Unreal Engine 5.7.2

The intent here is to give more control over performance and reduce latency, especially during intense combat situations.

💎 Loot System

We added a new layer to loot and rewards:

• Introduced a Custom Chest system

• Added the DarkVoid Chest

• Added Critical Strike attribute to Equipment

Chests are now more flexible and can be expanded more easily moving forward.

Lootable equipment can now grant Critical Strike, giving your attacks a chance to deal increased damage.

🎨 Visual Update

• Added Animated Backgrounds to menus

• Added “Press to Skip” prompt during cutscenes

A visual improvement giving more life to the UI.

🎬 Work in Progress

• Added a work-in-progress of the cinematic

This is not the final version and will be improved in the near future. However, the structure, voice work, and animations are final and already give a strong sense of what we want the cinematic to be.

🔊 Audio & Feedback

A large pass was made on sound design to improve clarity and immersion:

• Added Chain Master Portal SFX

• Added Soul Reaper Ghost Screams

• Added Soul Reaper Spawn SFX

• Added Soul Master Portal SFX

• Added UI Skin Selection SFX

• Added Boss Available alert

• Added Gem merge feedback sounds (accepted / denied)

• Added Fire environment SFX

• Added Chest loot SFX (varies by rarity)

• Added Gem merger interaction SFX

• Added Successful gem merge SFX

• Added Paladin voice lines for:

  • Out of mana

  • Ability on cooldown

  • Busy state

The Paladin now reacts dynamically, becoming more irritated if actions are repeatedly spammed. (Voice is still work in progress and will be updated)

👹 Enemy & Boss Fixes

A lot of time went into stabilizing enemy behavior, especially bosses:

Soul Reaper

• Fixed the third dash not triggering correctly

• Added environment collision to prevent getting stuck

• Fixed a crash during the boss fight

Chain Master

• Hook no longer catches targets on its way back

• Can now hook other demons (no stun applied)

• Improved overall behavior

• Fixed death animation during melee

🛠️ Fixes & Stability

• Fixed an issue where casting Healing Burst while falling caused the player to fall through the map

• Fixed Ultimate colliding with nearby objects

• Hook no longer grabs the Paladin during Healing Burst or Ultimate

• Fixed scoreboard stats accumulating across multiple runs

• Fixed gem slot issues when using multiple identical gems

• Improved Flesh Master spawn animation

• Fixed various edge cases and crashes