Echo Grotto has just received a big update!
Since release I've received heaps of great feedback, and this update will hopefully address a ton of suggestions, issues and options that people were hoping for!
Here is a full list of everything included:
New Locomotion options!
Easily the most requested improvements to echo grotto were all about offering more locomotion options, so I've implemented some of the most commonly seen locomotion methods into the game.
While these locomotion methods are available to use, the game is still built around the item-based movement (like using the teleporter, caving hooks and grapple). I still highly recommend using items for locomotion, but offering more options is never a bad thing!
The new locomotion options are:
- Directional trackpad movement - freely move around using the trackpad.
- "Grab and hold" to drag yourself around - much like the caving hooks, but you can freely move around without the need for tools.
- Teleport - hold and aim to teleport around with either an arc or line.
There are also some new options to make playing in a range of different ways easier:
- Manual player rotation for Oculus users. If you don't have access to room scale VR, or just want to enjoy the game without fully turning around, you can now easily rotate yourself!
- Adjust player height. Excellent for if you would like to play sitting down, or simply change you height in game.
Now fully playable without VR on PC!
If you launch the game without a VR headset connected you can now play Echo Grotto entirely with mouse and keyboard controls!
This includes a control scheme built entirely for PC, and a user interface to interact with your belt!
Playing the tutorial on PC will also teach you the PC-specific controls!
Non-VR players can now full enjoy Echo Grotto, but of course the best experience is still within VR.
Changes and new uses for gemstones!
Gemstones felt rather pointless in the game, so this update has re-worked how they are harvested, spent, and even gives them new gameplay uses.
- Use harvested gems as a light source Use a harvested gem shard like you would a glowstick to create a shimmering colorful light source! each gem casts different color patterns.
- Harvest gems by physically whacking them Simply hit gems with any tool (or your bear hands) a few times to harvest them. Using a pickaxe will harvest gems instantly!
- Use a gem pouch to keep them After harvesting a gem you can place it in a gem pouch (if you take one with you!) to keep if for later to buy tools at the cave entrance on your next play through.
- Place gems on your head! Using the caving helmet you can now stick a lit gem to the helmet, the place it on your head for a colorful light source.
And various other new options and features:
- Hand physics option - choose to disable hand and item physics.
- Post processing - you can now enable ambient occlusion.
- Grappling hook can now be retracted after firing by pressing trackpad-down (or press 'use' again to teleport to where the hook lands).
- you can change the color of the starting glowstick in the options menu and it will instantly update (unless you pick it up).
- Press the pause button while in a menu to resume (don't need to click 'back' any more).
- Alternative interaction style - if your prefer to "point" using a ray at signs and items you can (instead of the current "hover" style).
- Maps no longer appear in experience mode.
- You can now use menu signs (and interact with some items) while still holding an item in your hand. you no longer need an empty hand to use sign posts.
A video about these new features will be posted shortly.
Thank you all so much for playing Echo Grotto, Every bit of feedback and discussion has helped make this game the best it can be!
Please let me know how well the new features are working for you, and don't hesitate to post any issues and I will rush to fix them.
Enjoy!