Planet Killer Demo Update 0.1.7

Planet Killer Demo · published

This demo patch adds a major Ship Selection screen update, the new Planet Core system, Stronghold planets, PD anti-missile systems, a new weapon, new lifetime stat tracking, and a large weapon balance pass.

This update also lays more groundwork for the full version of Planet Killer setting up the meta progression ship unlock system that will be available in the full release.

Next up is more SFX work and the interdiction system and continued polish and improvements.

New Features & Improvements

  • Added a major Ship Selection screen update, introducing a new tech tree for ship unlocks. This system is required for the full version of the game and begins setting up deeper long-term ship progression.

  • Added the new Planet Core system. Some planets now contain additional hidden cores inside them. These cores are armored, take more hits than normal terrain, and can detonate to cause massive terrain destruction. They may also grant bonus rewards.

  • Added a new sound effect for Planet Core detonations.

  • Added new PD Anti-Missile systems to certain ships. PD systems will attempt to shoot down active hostile missiles.

  • Added a new player ship compass that shows ship rotation, PD Anti-Missile system activity, and PD cooldown status.

  • Added a new Core Module that adds PD Anti-Missile systems to your ship.

  • Added a new planet encounter type: Stronghold planets. These planets are much smaller than normal planets but have twice the normal amount of defenses. Good luck.

  • Added a new lifetime stat tracker for Stronghold planets destroyed.

  • Added a new lifetime stat tracker for missiles destroyed by PD systems.

  • Added a new lifetime stat tracker for defeats by Stronghold planets.

  • Improved and expanded the Player Rank Emblem system.

  • Removed the wobble effect from player rank emblems.

  • Flavor text is now visible when comparing items in the reward card select overlay.

  • Warp Jammer station encounters now have their own unique transmission messages.

  • Added a new weapon: 6M Meteor Barrage Cannon, which fires a slow salvo of explosive shells.

  • Pressing Spacebar now attempts to start a run from the main menu.

  • Beam weapons now display beam duration in tooltips.

  • Unreachable paths on the Star Map are now tinted red.

  • Added an option for a colorblind-friendly cursor.

Game Balance

  • Added a major weapon rebalancing pass. Because the new Planet Core mechanic can speed up planet destruction, and based on player feedback, the damage and power of most weapons have been brought down slightly.

  • Most weapons now have slightly longer cooldowns.

  • Some weapons have slightly reduced damage.

  • Some underperforming weapons have been buffed slightly.

  • Weapon balance will continue to be tested and adjusted as progression is fine-tuned.

  • Increased Leviathan starting shields.

  • Larger ships now start with PD Anti-Missile systems, giving slower ships another defensive advantage.

  • Adjusted the chance for boss planets to not have a defense ship from 5% to 7%.

  • Slightly reduced the damage of all procedural weapons.

  • Reduced the terrain-piercing capability and overall power of Needler-type alien weapons.

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed an issue where the game could crash when attempting to warp away while ships were being pulled by a tractor beam.

  • The Planet Integrity HUD now changes to Station Integrity during Warp Jammer encounters.

  • Re-enabled cinematic no-HUD pause with the P key.

  • Fixed leaderboard lag caused by emblems.

  • Fixed an issue that could cause the cursor to disappear or fail to load properly.