Welcome to the Ascend to ZERO v1.2.0 update!
This patch completely overhauls the Gadget system, elevating them from basic support tools into essential components of your Avatar's build that directly impact combat.
To support this, we’re introducing 8 brand-new Gadgets alongside major reworks to existing ones for better real-time tactical use. Combined with a revamped Gadget Augmentation system, you can now craft deeper, more personalized strategic setups.
Let's take a quick look at the highlights below!
Until now, existing Gadgets struggled to synergize well with specific builds, and were mostly geared toward use after Time Stop — making them hard to actively use in the relentless pace of real-time combat. To fix this and maximize their usefulness, we've added a wave of new Gadgets and given a major renewal to the performance of existing ones.
[New Gadgets Joining the Fight & Existing Gadget Overhauls]
8 New Gadgets: Lightning Boots, Frenzy Blade, Meltdown Launcher, Spatial Condenser, Energy Sword, Credit Amplifier, Recoil Lance, and Chrono Mine are joining the battlefield.
Recoil Lance & Chrono Mine: The existing Firethrower and Rock Generator have been replaced by their new forms, Recoil Lance and Chrono Mine.
Weakness Tracker Excluded: Weakness Tracker was unfortunately left out of this renewal.
[Developer's Comment] This Gadget was excluded from the renewal because it's difficult to build synergy with general-purpose Avatars, and it has structural limitations that make it hard to apply the newly introduced Gadget augment system. That said, we're seriously considering reworking its enhancement options down the line and bringing it back in a more useful form.
Wait, what happens to my Handbook progress and achievements??
We've kept the existing system fully intact, so the addition of these new Gadgets has no effect on the unlock conditions for existing Handbook-related Steam achievements! Rest assured.
Newly completing Handbook collection rewards will permanently grant you the "Increased Gadget Skill Damage" stat.
[Adjustments to Existing Gadget Usability & Synergy]
Real-Time Combat Optimization: Guard Maker, Impulse Cannon, Blade Ring, and Illusion Spear Throw have had their performance adjusted so they can be used smoothly and organically in real-time combat as well.
Build Synergy Enhancements:
Space Core: Improved so it can pull nearby turrets together, letting you concentrate firepower wherever you want.
Chrono Anchor & Illusion Spear Throw: Their passive abilities have been changed to strengthen synergy with specific builds.
Appearance Timing Changed: Recall Blade, which was somewhat tricky to use effectively early on, has had its appearance timing adjusted so it now becomes available later in the game, once your character has grown to a certain level.
The Gadget enhancement system has been redesigned so Gadgets can grow into a true build element, rather than just support equipment. Moving beyond the old leveling structure of simply increasing numbers, strategic growth is now possible.
Max Level Expansion & Trait Selection: A Gadget's max level has been expanded from 5 to 8. Along the way to max level, you'll get to choose a "Gadget Augmentation Trait" a total of three times .
7 Exclusive Traits per Gadget: Each Gadget comes with 7 unique traits of its own.
Your Own Combos and Synergies: Depending on which traits you choose, the very same Gadget can perform completely differently and produce entirely different synergy effects. Go ahead and discover the optimal combos and builds for yourself!
We've added branching routes to certain sections so the quest flow doesn't feel awkward for players who progress quickly.
All "Gain XX instead of a Tech Chip upon defeating a boss-tier enemy" options in the Fate Editor have been changed to "Gain an additional reward upon defeating a boss-tier enemy."
Fixed the dropped Gadget pool so it now varies depending on which Gadgets you've unlocked.
Fixed an issue where Gadgets weren't dropping on Stages 3 and 4.
Improved usability so you can now use your Time Stop skill even while using a Gadget.
Fixed an issue that could cause the game to force-close when starting the boss fight against Mimesis.
Fixed an issue where the increase/decrease values in some Tech Chip descriptions were displayed as 0%.
Fixed an issue where the tier display colors for certain Tech Chips appeared out of order.
Enjoy Ascend to ZERO's second update, now even more refreshed than before!
— Ascend to ZERO Team
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