Encased - Content Patch 4 Available

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Written by ValH on December 23rd, 2020

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The full release of Encased is already looming on the horizon, but before we get there, Dark Crystal Games brings us one last early access content update for their Fallout-inspired RPG. This latest patch introduces a couple of new companions, adds some fresh side content, improves the game’s AI and visuals, and more. Here’s the full list:

We really wanted to release Encased this year, but we postponed it due to the introduction of new content and full voice acting. The game has increased in size, and we need time to tweak and polish it. We're releasing this patch to delight you before the final push, and also because we appreciate your participation, feedback, and help.

The development wasn’t easy. Three years of work, a large project, and a coronavirus pandemic awaited us. We switched to remote work back in the spring, some of our employees got sick, and some of them even ended up in hospital. Still, we made it: most of the work on the main storyline is complete, the game brought together an active and friendly community and the team welcomed new great people. We also signed a contract with Koch Media! They will help us finish Encased and make it a really good game.

This partnership will allow us to remain who we are and do what the studio was created to do — develop exciting games focused on the wishes of players, not on analytics, monetization and PR. All the work related to quality control, publishing and promotion of the game will be done by our new partners from Koch Media, we believe in their experience and professionalism, and we know that they will do a great job.

In the meantime, here's the last pre-release patch. After that, we're coming to the finish line to release the game you've all been waiting for!

List of changes by category

Story

Encased development is still in an active phase, but work on the main storyline is complete, and the game is fully playable, from start to finish. We want to keep the intrigue alive, and there will be no finale, as well as the second and third acts in the upcoming patch. But don't feel sad: we've added new companions, random encounters, and other important things.

• We added two new companions: a crime fighter nicknamed Sparrow and a movie actor Cheerful Jack,
• We added biography details and additional questions about the world, factions and other partners to personal companion dialogue,
• Companions now have more context reactions,
• Companions now react to other companions,
• We added reactions to car theft in the prologue.

Gameplay

• Skill cap increased to 150,
• Changed the system of learning skills. Now skills are divided between 5 ranks. To unlock them you’ll need 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 skill points respectively,
• Ability point mechanics removed,
• Combined the "Stealth" and "Criminal" skill branches,
• Rebalanced and refined perks: their total number increased to 79, significantly changed their influence on the gameplay,
• Character creation menu now has pre-designed heroes available,
• The character creation menu now allows you to add one of 15 optional traits to your character,
• Reworked formulas for calculating base values of attributes and skills,
• Active abilities of the skill "Psionics" are divided between 4 types of psi gloves based on one type of effects: electricity, freezing, fire or mental,
• Anomalous zones were added to random encounters, affecting gameplay,
• Devices: added jetpacks that allow you to move around the location,
• Devices: added harpoons, allowing you to pull an enemy to you,
• Devices: added different types of grenades,
• Piloting: added abilities for servoshell,
• Piloting: in some locations you can ride on electric forklifts, also added puzzles related to electric forklifts,
• Piloting: added the plot-related ability to use cars in the prologue,
• Improved support for stealth and non-lethal playthroughs.

AI

Enemy behavior in combat became much more advanced. Enemies now actively use items, abilities, and act within their specialization. The changes affected not only the "combat" AI: we introduced the first version of the crime system. Now NPCs react to the player's unlawful actions: you can no longer break into doors in front of guards and must use stealth. It is better to leave the scene of the crime as soon as possible: the injured character or just a random witness will immediately start patrolling the area and conduct their own investigation. If you are caught, civilians can call guards, who, however, can be intimidated or bribed.

• Combat AI was redesigned and optimized: enemies actively use abilities, heal themselves and their allies, use consumables (tasers, alcohol, sleep grenades, stimulants),
• The behavior of the enemies became more diverse and interesting, and all of them have specializations now,
• Fixed errors with experience and fatigue gaining during non-lethal walkthroughs,
• NPCs now react to crimes committed by the player. They can investigate what happened, change the faction's attitude toward the player, call guards, etc.,
• Added a jail system in the settlements: the player's character can be imprisoned, can escape, etc.

Interface

We drew a new, beautiful interface that changed all old elements: the main HUD, the PDA (work is still in progress), the global map. The interface of the character creation screen, the combat grid, aiming, ability icons, and much, much more has changed. We got the most readable and user-friendly UI that allows you to focus on the story, exploring the world, leveling the hero and making tactical decisions in battle.

• Reworked game screen interface,
• Added ability to scale the main interface,
• Redesigned difficulty choice interface,
• Redesigned character creation interface,
• Redesigned global map interface,
• Reworked PDA interface — Abilities, Perks, Attributes,
• Reworked PDA interface — Inventory,
• Redesigned combat grid and aiming indicators,
• Redesigned stealth interface,
• Added option to disable camera shake.

Art

The game's graphics have improved significantly since early access, but we continue to work on the visuals, adding portraits, illustrations, icons, and other visual content to Encased.

• We added a lot of unique portraits for characters, both for regular NPCs and story characters,
• Added illustrations to random encounters,
• Updated ability icons,
• Faction equipment items for the characters of the first act are now displayed,
• Added and replaced a lot of assets,
• Changed, refined and optimized lighting on many locations,

Locations

• We reworked some of the encounter locations: added new content and improved visuals,
• Improved story locations.

Other

• Added voiceover for story interactions in the prologue (Russian version only).

There's still a lot of stuff not included in this patch. We're actively developing controller support, directing the voice acting, tweaking and adding many of the little details that always make games more beloved and memorable. Encased is that kind of game for us, and we want it to be that way for you too.

We are very close to the end of development. Just a little more and the full version of the game will appear on Steam, GOG and consoles. Final release date will be announced a bit later.

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