Ladder it Up! - "Ascend" Update

And here we go, big update just landed! This section is divided into two parts: Patch Notes and Final Thoughts & Plans for 2025.

Patch Notes:

• Controller Support Added (You still need mouse to use pause menu and main menu)

• RemovedAdded contextual animations for specific actionsladder preparation, ladder spawn, ladder pickup, and crystal collection Animations can be disabled by unchecking the "Contextual Animations" box

• Added a "Controls" button in the pause menu (Displays keybinds only, no remapping, sorry)

• Added a new ladder as a reward for completing the bonus level

• Added a festive holiday ladder (It will remain unlockable after the holiday season but will be relocated)

• You can now check the description of game modes by clicking on the mode's sign in the main menu

• Added a warning before exiting the game

• Removed the "EXIT" button from the pause menu

• Added an option to disable motion blur

• Introduced a new bonus level: Ascent, unlocked after completing the game on Normal mode

• Added a mute button in the main menu to silence the bird loop (Click the bird icon at the top)

• Fixed shadow noise (I guess?)

• Added a holiday hat for Gustaw (the player character) during the holiday season.

• Added stun sound effects and VFX

• Adjusted ladder spawn positions (Let me know how it feels!)

• Improved lighting in various areas

• Fixed several geometry issues

• Slightly increased the jump height of the character

• Revamped the main menu

• And probably some other changes I’ve already forgotten about lol

New Mechanics in "Ascent" Bonus Level

The Ascent level introduces new mechanics that weren’t present in previous levels:

• Speed Boost Collecting it temporarily turns your character blue and increases movement speed

• Jump Platforms Green platforms that launch the player upward upon contact

• Weak Wooden Platforms Unlike purple platforms that function similarly, these collapse instantly

• Trap Doors

• Windmills

• Arrow Wall and Ceiling Trap

Final Thoughts & Plans for 2025:

Ladder It Up was undoubtedly an interesting adventure for me as a solo dev, and it helped me better understand the various challenges one can face as a game developer. While it wasn’t my dream game, it taught me a lot—especially the importance of focusing on games I’m truly passionate about and excited to create. That’s exactly what you can expect from me in the coming year.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I don’t plan to actively work on Ladder It Up and would like to focus on my next projects, HOWEVER, if you have any suggestions or ideas related to the game especially if you come across any bugs, feel free to post in the Steam discussions, leave a review, or join the Discord server: https://discord.gg/AsFdUh85cR, and I’ll do my best to address your needs.

My goal for 2025 is to release a FPS Single Player game in early access, inspired by games like XIII, GoldenEye 007, The Operative: No One Lives Forever, and TimeSplitters. Will it work? Time will tell. My main goal is to deliver the best possible FPS that I can make, that focuses on variety and humor, not just to evoke a sense of nostalgia, but also to prove that FPS games aren’t limited to just Call of Duty and boomer shooters. I want to create a game that I’ll genuinely enjoy playing myself, and a type of game that I feel is currently missing in the market. Alright, maybe I’ll also come up with a small side project along the way, but it will definitely be within a genre I’m confident about.

Thanks to everyone for your support and for giving Ladder It Up a shot! As I mentioned, if you have any feedback, I’ll definitely take it into account. And now, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!