New update for Bullet Heaven Fest 3.0!

Been a while since the last update, life's been getting real busy around these parts. Still, nothing stops me from sneaking in at least a little bit of dev time every now and then, so here I am with a new content update! The first proper one since the Early Access launch of the game actually.

Quick note: updates might get a bit slower from now on, don't expect anything groundbreaking until summer.

Anyways, onto the new stuff!

Introducing Melting

This is a new status effect that deals damage equal to applied melting points every second, then a point of melting is removed.

There are new enemy weapons that utilize melting. Also, the entire arsenal of the Enlightened apply some melting now, changing how you approach combat in that sector.

But it's not just the enemy who got new stuff.

New Weapons, Abilities and Perks

There are new primary and side weapons for each weapon type and some weapons have been reworked. There are also new abilities and perks utilizing the new Melting mechanic.

Defiance Mode

Defiance mode gives you something to do after you beat the game. It's a set of difficulty modifiers that unlock after beating the game. Each victory unlocks a new modifier (up to 9 currently), that poses a new challenge.

And as always there are many other improvements and fixes. Here's the full changelog:

Note: the update erases the list of encountered mercenaries, so if you're very fond of your mercenary collection, backup before updating.

Features

• Defiance Mode

• New status effect: Melting - each second damage equal to applied melting points gets dealt to target,

then a point of melting is removed

• New weapons: Burst, Halberd, Incinerator, Brimstone

• Big changes to existing weapons:

• AdjustedMelterchanged it's purpose to a heavy shorter range, melting applying laser weapon
• AdjustedBlasterchanged the sprite completely, old sprite is now Brimstone's

• New abilities: Fortify, Igniter Shells, Heating beam

• New perks: Incendiary Rounds, Preheated Ammo, Crippling Solution, Reinforced Armor

• New enemy behavior types and new enemies for each faction

• New enemy weapons

Improvements

• Added a small discord icon to the join discord button

• Changed how continuously damaging weapons calculate and deal damage

to make it more obvious if there were change in damage and make it more performant

• Edited some enemy ship sprites

• Edited some enemy and player weapon sprites

• Made Flak fire its shots slightly delayed

• Made the camera pan towards the mouse more when the player has a primary weapon with long range

• Added a boss bar

• Minor dialogue edits

• Other minor adjustments

Balance

• Readjusted boss healths

• Readjusted some player weapon stats

Fixes

• Fixed most secondary weapons having the same Tier 3 and 4 sprites in battles

• Fixed zero rotation speed weapons not following the player's rotation

• Fixed audio usage notice having a tooltip about overall game volume

• Fixed items not returning to their slots when dragged over an output slot (in the Forge)