Encased - Patch 3 Released

[Redglyph]

Dark Crystal Games have released the content Patch #3 for Encased. It's a 8-GB download (on GOG at least).

ENCASED - PATCH 3: CARS, A PLANE IN DESERT AND GAMEPAD SUPPORT

Game version: 1.3.1329.1111

The full version of Encased was released in September and we've since introduced several hotfixes - and a couple of major patches - where we thoroughly worked on the UI, optimisation, level design and other aspects of the game. But all of this (with the exception of the special Halloween patch) was related to the content that was already in the game. That's great, but how about something new? Such as what we promised during our kickstarter campaign.

With this in mind, we started developing Patch 3. Today we are happy to present it to you and let you know what awaits you in the first (but not last!) large-scale Encased update.

A new adventure and cars

Before the Spire Station was built, cargo was delivered under the Dome by aircraft. One such aircraft - a decommissioned military transport callsigned Eldorado - made a hard landing in a mountainous area and was abandoned. A few years later, the plane which was devoid of life, began to broadcast strange signals... You'll need to find out what is happening at the crash site and what fate befell the scientific group that went to investigate the plane shortly after it crashed. Oh and, by the way, on board the plane you can find a unique piece of clothing for your character as well as tons of loot.

We have redesigned the game's transport system; players can now steal almost any car (except those that will never run again). Having a car brings on many changes: not only can you navigate the map faster, but you also unlock new encounters, many of which can lead to highly unpredictable outcomes.

And conversely, we've added a little more predictability to random events in which you can encounter travelers named after kickstarter backers; as of now, if you convince someone to join one of the factions, upon arriving at the settlement, you will most certainly meet them, and some of such characters will become merchants.

Bug fixes, gamepad and Linux version

[...]

More information.

 

[Redglyph]

I have a foreboding that this isn't really addressing the issues regarding the near-empty locations and decreasing story / quests felt in the 2nd half of the game, but let's wait for the verdict from those who are playing it.

EDIT: yeah, I think it's mostly a new side quest, and now you can find cars to drive between locations, which is nice if you haven't unlocked Ursula yet. I've been to a few locations but one that was empty except one NPC hasn't changed.

On the plus side, the saved games remain compatible, so you should benefit from the additional content if you're in the middle of a game without restarting from scratch.

 

[JDR13]

This should have stayed in EA longer. It sounds like the devs rushed it towards the end. Maybe they needed the funds and EA wasn't bringing in enough?

 

[Carnifex]

Each of these three patches have been pretty meaty, I'll be keeping this one on the back burner for now.

 

[mbuddha]

The first parts of the game were fun, but then it got repetitive. That and reports of the waning content with further progression has made me put this on the shelf where it probably will stay. I was half hoping this update meant driveable cars

 

[Arkadia7]

I think awhile back when discussing the third patch, they also mentioned a subsequent big patch they have planned after this one, with further polish and expanded content,
so I will wait for that one to return to my game for now.

 

[Redglyph]

This should have stayed in EA longer. It sounds like the devs rushed it towards the end. Maybe they needed the funds and EA wasn't bringing in enough?

They changed their publishers to add more content, voice acting and port to consoles IIRC. They were already late so it's not impossible that they realized they still needed a few months and found a way to make it pass. They admit themselves that they didn't have a lot of experience with that sort of project, it's a pattern we often see.

Maybe that's why the end isn't as good as the beginning too, lack of time.

The first parts of the game were fun, but then it got repetitive. That and reports of the waning content with further progression has made me put this on the shelf where it probably will stay. I was half hoping this update meant driveable cars

Despite this, it's worth playing. It's not as if the last part was bare of content, I had fun until the end. It's not a big production game and it feels in some parts, for sure.

They're including the last stretch goals that were not funded. It was never question of actually driving cars, this would be completely out of scope. It's so-called "isometric", and what about the world map, for example? Besides I wouldn't like that, even with a controller the driving is so bad in RPG games that it doesn't add anything.

I think awhile back when discussing the third patch, they also mentioned a subsequent big patch they have planned after this one, with further polish and expanded content,
so I will wait for that one to return to my game for now.

This one was the added content, the next one is about balancing combat.

 

[mercy]

Once I finish Wasteland 3, hopefully this will become playable.
..
Also the World Global Situ needs to remain stable enough so there will be internet and electricity...

 

[Couchpotato]

These threads remind me I have to still have to finish this RPG.

 

[Redglyph]

They released a hotfix.

ENCASED - PATCH 3, HOTFIX 1: Gamepad tweaks, critical bug fixes and cosmetics

The last patch was a real test for the team – we’ve added gamepad support, new content, expanded on car mechanics, and added a Linux version. And, of course, bug fixes.

In today's hotfix, we've addressed a few bugs that have been discovered, and also made some cosmetic changes to the game regarding sound and level design. The list of fixes and improvements is provided below.

Critical errors

• Fixed infinite start of the battle on the Desert Road location
• Fixed inability to initiate dialogue with the air duct on the -1 floor of the C12-Nashville facility
• Fixed non-working scissor lift at Magellan Station - Residential Level

Gamepads

• Fixed an issue related to interacting with items on the belt when near interactive location objects
• The character that was controlled by the player earlier stops running in the indicated direction when choosing another character
• Fixed problems with selecting the girder using analog stick at the Camp of the First Settlers location

Locations

• Fixed incorrect lighting at the Stone Forest location
• Fixed incorrect lighting at the Magellan Station - Warehouse and Parking Lot location
• Fixed patency at the Destroyed Concord Station location

Sound

• Fixed incorrect sound effects in the dialogues at the Kaleidoscope Bunker location
• Vignettes with cars now have sound
• Vignettes with Ursula now have sound
• Vignettes with additional automotive content now have sound

Miscellaneous

• Fixed absence of damage for squad members that are outside the scope of the Church implant in the Camp of the First Settlers location
• Fixed a situation where each tick of damage caused the companion to say an "injured" line

 

[Couchpotato]

Thanks for the heads up Redglyph.

Now I just hope GOG patches it without downloading the whole game once again.

 

[Redglyph]

Thanks for the heads up Redglyph.

Now I just hope GOG patches it without downloading the whole game once again.

I think it was a little over 1 GB, I didn't pay much attention.

I'd be curious to know what you think about the game, once you have finished it.