4.0 Update Open Beta!
Hello, Residents.
This is NINEHECTARE.
Following our private 4.0 test, we are now launching the Open Beta version!!
Anyone can participate by activating the beta branch!
The previous private test version caused great disappointment due to numerous bugs and unfinished features…
However, after fixing countless bugs and revamping systems, half of the 4.0 Update is now complete!!
The major changes are as follows:
1. Major System Additions
■ Ending Revert Function
We have improved the post-ending experience that many found regretful.
Revert on Normal / Bad Ending: After seeing an ending, you can now return to the last branching point with only ending-related quests reset. This reduces the burden of having to replay from the beginning for different choices.
Note: Reverting is not possible upon reaching a Happy Ending, as the story concludes completely.
■ Endless Nightmare Mode
The infinite challenge feature tested in the Arena and Dark Shrine is being added as an official mode.
Challenge your limits. Both monsters and players become exponentially stronger as the stages increase.
■ Dungeon Lost & Found System
We have prepared a safety net to mitigate risks from mistakes while maintaining the tension of dungeon exploration.
Upon death in a dungeon, some items in your possession will be lost.
You can recover lost items through the NPC 'Dayna'.
Note: Lost items are not saved permanently and will disappear if you close the game completely, so be sure to retrieve them before quitting.
2. New Content & Overhauls
■ Rift Dungeons
'Rift Portals' will now spawn randomly while moving through the map.
You can earn special rewards by completing objectives (Escape or Eliminate) within the time limit.
Even if you fail, you will safely return to your original location without any penalty.
■ Altar System Major Overhaul
Altar of Greed: Newly added. You can obtain rewards through this altar.
Altar of Emotion: Buff selection options have been changed.
Altar of Pride: When choosing Nightmare Mode, Roguelike elements have been strengthened so that debuffs change randomly upon each dungeon transition. (Further improvements planned)
3. Visual & QoL Improvements
■ Graphics & Presentation Enhancements
Map Quality Improvement: We improved graphic resources and lighting for all in-game maps to create a more immersive atmosphere.
Boss Presentation Improved: We refined the entrances and skill animations of boss monsters that were somewhat plain or had awkward timelines.
■ Interface (UI) & Pathing Improvements
Quest Path Optimization: Areas where players often got lost or paths were excessively long, such as 'Stein Camp' and 'Entrance to Death', have been significantly modified.
Drop Table Preview: Upon entering a dungeon, you can now preview the list of important obtainable items at the entrance.
UI Improvements: The overall visibility of interfaces, such as the reward acquisition window and death screen, has been increased.
4. Bug Fixes
Numerous bugs that hindered gameplay have been fixed.
Thank you to everyone who reported them.
Stein's Reformation: Merchant 'Stein' has fixed his bad habit of swiping items. He now honestly hands over the exact quantity purchased, without the 'delivery accident' where he only gave 1 item despite multiple being bought.
Terrain: Fixed terrain bugs where players could jump over map structures or climb up to ignore monster attacks.
AI: Fixed an issue where some monsters would freeze in place and not attack.
Quests: Fixed an error in sub-quests where completion required holding more materials than the requested amount. (e.g., Solved the issue where you needed 2 items when 1 was requested)
Solved the issue where completion conditions would conflict when sub-quests overlapped.
Items: Fixed an issue where inventory would not properly reflect items when obtaining only 1 item in certain situations.
Interaction: Fixed an issue where Nik-01 or Ku'kul's interaction buttons would occasionally stick to the character upon returning to GRAY HAVEN.
Features to be Applied in the Next Official 4.0 Build
These are contents we haven't been able to add or revamp yet due to bug fixes and optimization. ■ Ku'kul's 'Hunter's Path' Revamp
Hunter's Path upgradeable up to Level 20
Upgrades (Breakthrough) available after the ending
Numerical adjustments per level for balance
'Nightmare Essence' required for leveling up from Level 10 onwards
■ Instant Buff Selection upon Dungeon Entry
We plan to shorten the execution steps so you can choose one from Greed, Emotion, Recovery, etc., right from the start!
■ Nightmare Difficulty Stage 5 + Curse Integration
Two difficulty increase functions that effectively had the same effect have been merged into one!
■ Endless Nightmare Revamp
Endless Nightmare is a bit boring, right?
We will revamp it into a Boss Rush where you can infinitely fight bosses of each theme.
■ Illustration Additions
2~3 Illustrations (NSFW) per month in conjunction with Patreon
Expansion of GRAY HAVEN
Finally, we have decided to make perhaps the most important decision.
Our main strengths are quick communication and diverse illustrations.
However, review boards and Steam's release reviews are huge obstacles for us in adding various cutscenes.
Especially in Korea, compared to webtoons and comics, the review standards applied to games are too vague and restrictive.
We could no longer continue development in step with domestic review agencies.
We are also simply sorry to those who recently gave negative reviews saying "It's an erotic game but has no erotic scenes."
Therefore, we plan to expand NSFW illustrations and content through three channels: Patreon (US), Fanbox (Japan), and Postype (Korea). We will post a separate announcement when content is added!
Anyway, while we will immediately release artbooks via Fanbox and Patreon, if they are uploaded to GRAY HAVEN as DLC or updates, we will differentiate them with voiceovers and related content.
We will continue to develop GRAY HAVEN steadily!
We strictly thank everyone who has enjoyed our game!!!