Moshcave news & patch notes

Hello, Moshcave 0.9 is now live!

This update brings back hats and wands in a slightly different way: Wardrobe (see image below). At the moment, you can pick any hat and wand before starting your run. This may change in version 1.0, where the Wardrobe could become available only after reaching a specific level. I'm currently doing several runs with different combinations to check for possible improvements, broken combos and balance.

Another feature implemented in 0.9 is a "slowdown" effect that activates when you are too close to several Dr. Mosh's bullets, giving players a better chance to dodge them. Below you can check a small video showing this feature:

Also, two new level up powerups have been added: one that fully restores your HP, and another that fully restores your MANA. Regarding level up powerups as well, REROLL now costs an additional $150 for each use.

Continuing the changes toward a more balanced and challenging experience, I've also adjusted a few aspects/variables of the game, including enemy pathfinding, movement speed, projectile speed, the number of bullets fired, and more. Below is a summary of the main changes in 0.9:

• Added more destroyable blocks per floor;

• Raised the bottom boundary of the map by 16 pixels;

• Changed the progression scaling of the Force/Special Attack;

• General bug fixes;

• Added two new powerups (Max/Refill HP and Max/Refill MANA);

• Removed the powerups that increased the number of directions you could shoot;

• Flying Dr. Moshs can now appear from any direction, depending on the level;

• Minor sprite adjustments;

• Added WARDROBE;

• Changed the REROLL cost;

• Added a "slowdown" effect when you are too close to several Dr. Mosh's bullets;

• The Force/Special Attack granted by the powerup found in green chests now destroys every enemy in the room;

• Minor sprite improvements;

• Changed the game icon.

Since I'm still doing small balancing adjustments and testing the new combinations from the Wardrobe feature, achievements will be added with the final release (1.0), which I expect to release within the next 7 days. The same goes for the Leaderboard, which will remain disabled until then. Besides achievements and the final balancing/sprite adjustments, Moshcave 1.0 is also planned to include a small in-game wiki explaining specific mechanics, such as space powerups, bullet damage, and other gameplay details.

Thanks, and I hope you enjoy it!

Hello! Moshcave 0.8 is now live. In this update, the focus continued to be on the bullet-dodging aspect of the game, code optimization, and overall balancing. A new enemy with a different attack pattern was added to bring more variety, and important design and balance changes were made, such as adjustments to enemies' movement speed and shoot speed. The overall sprites were also revisited, with some color changes since the last update.

Below are the main changes:

• Fixed all enemy lifebars to 32 pixels in size;

• Added a new enemy: Flying Dr. Mosh. Flying Dr. Moshs appear from Floor 5 onward and shoot special green bullets. Green bullets can be cancelled just like regular pink bullets and deal 3 damage instead of 5. However, from Floor 20 onward, Flying Dr. Moshs will shoot special Dr. Mosh bullets that can't be destroyed. Flying Dr. Moshs also can't be shot and can only be destroyed using Force Attack;

• Dr. Mosh will now remain still on the stage, but fires more bullets depending on the current floor;

• Changed the particles when attacking enemies using Force Attack;

• Code optimization;

• Adjusted enemy movement speed and shoot speed depending on the current floor;

• Changed crosshair colors;

• Added HP and Mana information when using the ''less info'' HUD;

• Added clouds back to the floors;

• Color changes in sprites and/or tiled sprites;

• Added a spray indicating the current floor next to the exit;

• Mana/HP regeneration is now capped at 9.

The store page was also updated with screenshots from the current state of the game, a short gameplay trailer, and changes to the store and library capsules to better reflect the current look of Moshcave.

In its current state, Moshcave is almost finished, and 0.9 should not take too long. The next update will focus primarily on sprite and color refinements, if needed, revisiting hats/wands, and adding Steam Achievements. Please note that the Leaderboard is currently disabled and will be brought back in either version 0.9 or 1.0.

Thanks for playing!

Hello!

Today's update brings big changes to Moshcave. Aiming at a more cohesive, colorful, vibrant and simplified design and experience, I've decided to bring a new color palette, reduce the base resolution and the HUD stats, while still maintaining the 4:3 aspect ratio from last update.

Regarding the HUD, the main thing was the removal of the mini-map. I felt it was occupying a lot of space/attention and bringing few information. However, since the location of the stairs to the next floor was pointed in this mini-map, which was the main reason for its existence, the stairs are now fixed at right side of the dance floor, as you can see below:

As you can see, other changes have been made, such as a new tile floor, bullet designs and more. Regarding bullets, and as previously mentioned, the shift towards a bullet dodging-focused endgame is ongoing. Every enemy that shoots bullets towards the player, with the exception of Dr. Mosh, now shoots the same type of pink/magenta bullet shown in the images.

Below I've summed up the main changes in 0.7:

• Reduced the size of the dance floor;

• Now, if there's an enemy alive, your HP and MP regen at any spot of the floor. If you are moving on the dance floor, it is X2 regen. However, if you are on the dance floor, but not moving, no regen;

• With the exception of Dr. Mosh's, every enemies' bullets are the same design;

• Changed bullet speed depending on the enemy;

• Force attack (mouse right) now cancel bullets;

• Removed particle effects when attacking enemies;

• Stairs spawn at a fixed position, as mentioned;

• New color palette;

• Simplified HUD, with the removal of mini-map;

• New base tile for the floors.

That's it for today. One thing that I'm considering testing in future updates is to remove the need to use the mouse, so the player would shoot to a fixed position, which could be amplified with the current powerups. It would be great to know your thoughts about it, and also about this update! Feel free to reach out for feedbacks. Thanks a lot!

Hi! First of all, I'd like to formally apologize for the lack of updates and news in general about Moshcave. It’s been a challenging time, but I’m now mostly focused on this game and plan to release a few more updates before the final release, which I expect it to be by the end of this semester.

In 0.6, I went back to the core gameplay and progression system to make it more engaging and challenging. With changes to flower/plant tiles and their shooting patterns first, Moshcave will continue to be more focused on dodging bullets, specially in later stages of the game.

Besides that, the main addition in 0.6 is replacing the “bullet speed” power-up with a “+1 bullet per shot” power-up. This change helped balance the game after adjustments to the "spell frequency" and "bullet size" algorithms I've made, resulting in a smoother and more controlled power progression curve.

As always, feel free to reach out and give feedbacks, whether you’ve played earlier versions (which are still available) or just tried this new update, it would be great to know your thoughts.

Below are the main updates:

• Base resolution updated from 320x216 to 340x240 (4:3), increasing vertical space. Default window size is now 640x480.

• Faster intro.

• Fixed and improved spell frequency and bullet size algorithm. Before, with a few spell frequency and, specially, bullet size powerups, the game was getting out of hand really fast, so now it has a more reasonable curve.

• Updated block-breaking particle animation.

• Updated flower/plant shooting pattern and bullet sprite for better visibility.

• Arrow sprite and player bullet sprite updated for better visibility.

• Removed "bullet speed" powerup, and added a new one, which adds +1 bullet per shot.

MAJOR CHANGES, CORRECTIONS AND FEATURES ADDED

DANCE FLOOR, MOSH POINTS AND HP/MANA REGEN