Spirit X Strike news & patch notes

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Enemy Energy System

Boss Rush

Expanded Air Combos

• Expanded key remapping to cover the full keyboard area, including the style switch keys and the inventory key
• Added color to the Dragon, Eagle, and Tiger style icons for easier differentiation

• King of Iron Balls Boss Fight ○Added new move patterns in Phase 1 ○Adjusted the King of Iron Balls’s stagger mechanics: Now it is possible to trigger attack offset with his attacks, he can be comboed after a stagger, and Spirit Mimicry can consistently stagger him ○Added yellow-glow attack indicators ○Fixed incorrect interaction animations when throw-countering the boss
• Tiger Style: Throws will now reliably guard break enemies that are unable to dodge
• Tiger Style: Throw counters can now trigger during the startup and recovery frames of red-glow attacks
• Players can now go back to the cabin at any time after finishing the Prologue Stage. Talk to Hawk to start the next chapter
• Player will return to the stage before they start Recall Battles. Talk to Hawk to progress the Story.

• Fixed an issue with Eagle Style’s attack offset detection window, which should now be slightly stronger than Dragon and Tiger styles
• Improved overall game stability

Hey everyone, this is Maicha. After over 1000 days of development, my first solo-developed indie game, "Spirit X Strike," has finally launched today as scheduled! Thank you all for your continuous love and support!

10% off for the first two weeks three weeks after its release! The game’s release conveniently overlaps with the Summer Sale, so I will extend the offer until the Steam sale ends on July 10th.

(Launch discount timing has changed due to platform policy. Appreciate your understanding.)

I also want to express my gratitude for the invitation to participate in the Eastern Martial Artists Week on Steam. A lot of good games there as well! Please check it out!

Since this is an Early Access release, I've poured most of my energy and all my passion into the combat, which is the most crucial aspect of a character action game. My aim is for "Spirit X Strike" to make you feel like, "Ah, this hits just the right spot!" when it comes to its combat experience. As I've said before, I don't dare compare myself to the giants, but I hope everyone can enjoy some fun and engaging fights and simply recall the pure joy of playing character action games! That would be a dream come true for me!

New friends can check out my previous dev blogs to better understand what's available in the current Early Access version, the future roadmap, and some small tips to help you get started:

Spirit X Strike - Release Preview: Launches This Friday! Some Handy Tips & FAQs - Steam News

Spirit X Strike - Difficulty Adjustment, Custom Settings, EA Release & Update Roadmap | Dev Blog#6 - Steam News

Spirit X Strike - Back from GDC: Addressing Your Feedback - Steam News

Spirit X Strike - Dev Blog #4: Parry-Counter Iron Wall Combat Style, Super "Claw" Strike, and More - Steam News

Spirit X Strike - Dev Blog #3: Weapon Interaction System, New Moves, and a Release Update - Steam News

Spirit X Strike - DevBlog #2: \ \ - Steam News

From impulsively quitting my job to become a full-time indie developer out of passion, to releasing my first demo video and receiving initial positive feedback two years ago. Along the way, meeting with so much kindness and support from you guys made this journey less lonely and confusing.

In the months leading up to the release, the intense development schedule left me no time to play other new games. To some extent, it dulled my judgment of what would be good or bad to put in the game. What kept me on track, besides lingering muscle memory for character action and fighting games, were your continuous suggestions and feedback. And all that is left is just to fight with full force until the very last moment before launch.

I know "Spirit X Strike" still has a long way to go to reach my vision. There are many actions, combat mechanics, and interactive ideas yet to be implemented. But one step at a time, the game has just launched, and there will inevitably be some issues and bugs. I will prioritize a high frequency of updates to ensure a robust experience before heading back to the next round of new content development.

🔥 So, be sure to join our Discord and share your feedback if you encounter any bugs while playing! I'll handle it as quickly as possible!

⚡ Spirit X Strike Launch Event – Share Your Best Moments! ⚡

To celebrate the release of Spirit X Strike, we want to see your most stylish or intense gameplay moments!

• Event Period: June 20 – July 20

• How to Participate:

• 🎥 Record a clip from your playthrough on Apprentice, Master, or Grandmaster difficulty and post it on X (Twitter) with the hashtag #SpiritXStrike.

→ 15 entries will be randomly selected after the event ends to receive a $10 Steam Gift Card!

• 💥 Think you’ve got what it takes on Inheritor difficulty (unlocked after clearing the game once)? Share a clip on X with both #SpiritXStrike and #Inheritor.

→ 5 entries will be randomly selected after the event ends to receive a $30 Steam Gift Card!

• 🔁 Note:

If a player participates in both difficulty categories and is selected for both, only the reward for the higher difficulty (Inheritor) will be granted.

The lower difficulty spot will be reopened and randomly reassigned to another participant.

I can’t wait to see your combos, counters, and clutch moments, or even stylish defeats! 

Maicha

Hello, Fighters! This is Maicha.

Only three days to go until Spirit X Strike’s Early Access launch on Friday, June 20 (no delay this time)!

The release date announcement got our community some new friends, and many of them expressed concern that an old-school character action game might have a steep learning curve. I completely understand, and the combat-assist features added after the closed beta just came in handy!

Besides that, I’m also sharing a few tips in this dev blog. Together, they’ll help your combos flow smoothly once the game is out. I hope newcomers and those less confident with action games can also enjoy the thrill of character action games!

I’ve also gathered the community’s FAQs about the EA version’s contents and plans. Without further ado, let’s jump right into them!

Optimal Counterplay Against Bosses: Spirit Mimicry & Release

Many bosses have multiple phases and are uninterruptible during phase shifting. Carter’s “Spirit Mimicry” is the perfect solution in these circumstances:

1. Activate Spirit Mimicry to store up all your attack inputs.

2. Release them in one powerful combo, and every hit will stagger the bosses even if they are uninterruptible.

Spirit Mimicry only lasts briefly, so time your activation wisely for maximum impact.

Forgot a Move? Check the Move List

In the previous beta test, an early version of the move list was added for a brief time. In the Early Access release version, you can open the menu to view the full move list at any time. New moves will also unlock as you progress.

“Yes! It’s Irina's Little Item Shop! We’re Saved!”

Beyond the extra healing items scattered throughout levels, don’t forget to visit Irina's Little Item Shop after each chapter via the main menu. She has:

● Basic Healing Herbs

● Bewildering Powder (applies a debuff to surrounding enemies)

● Soul Revival Soup (full-health revive on death)

● And permanent upgrades to your health and Spirit gauge.

Stock up wisely before each boss fight. It’ll make your battles much easier.

Combat Assist: Time-Stop

As mentioned in previous dev blogs, Spirit X Strike blends high-speed action with fighting game elements. Facing bosses with fast attacks or multiple enemies at once can be overwhelming for some newcomers. So in Apprentice and Master difficulties, I’ve added an optional Combat Assist (turned off by default). When enabled, the game briefly slows just before you take a hit, giving you a moment to react. Toggle it on or off anytime to suit your playstyle.

FAQs

Q: When’s the Early Access release?

A: Spirit X Strike Early Access launches on June 20. As a solo-dev indie 3D action game, it debuts at $12.99 with 10% off. Hope it can bring you a focused, engaging, and fast-paced experience.

Q: What does the Early Access release include? How does it differ from the demo?

A: Beyond the prologue in the demo, this release unlocks five more chapters (six in total), six bosses in each chapter, three styles with about 27 Super Strikes, and the highest difficulty (four difficulties in total). On the easiest difficulty, a full playthrough takes 3–4 hours. But of course, it depends on individual circumstances (I personally can clear it in about an hour, haha).

Q: Will my demo save carry over to the Early Access release?

A: Absolutely. And if you played the closed beta, your save will also transfer seamlessly.

Q: What optimizations have you made recently?

A: I focused on feedback about the game being too difficult. Added combat assists and tweaked boss and enemy mechanics. I also improved custom settings: motion blur toggle, custom input mapping, etc. For details, check out this previous dev blog:

Spirit X Strike - Difficulty Adjustment, Custom Settings, EA Release & Update Roadmap | Dev Blog#6 - Steam News

I’ve also been busy developing more moves, expanding aerial combat options in Dragon & Eagle styles with in-air dashes, in-air blocking, in-air spinning kicks, etc., that require resources to unlock. Give them a try!

Q: What’s planned after the Early Access launch?

A: As a solo dev, my priority is delivering a stable experience with frequent updates. Once the Early Access version feels solid, I’ll move on to new chapters, bosses, skills, and modes, following the Roadmap I’ve posted before. Stay tuned on our Steam Community, my X account @SpiritXStrike, or our Discord.

Hope you’ll enjoy Spirit X Strike on June 20!

Hello, fighters! Maicha here.

During the just-concluded PC Gaming Show livestream, the release date announcement trailer was finally revealed. Spirit X Strike will launch in Early Access on June 20th!

Regarding pricing: Although many of you suggested a higher price tier in the survey, Spirit X Strike remains a solo-developed indie game, designed to deliver a tight, fluid, high-octane combat experience. In that spirit, it’ll be priced modestly compared to other 3D titles: launch price is $12.99, with a 10% discount for the first two weeks.

From placing the very first Blueprint node four years ago and uploading the debut gameplay video to Bilibili two years ago, to showcasing it at GDC and the PC Gaming Show. Along the way, I even got a like from my inspiration, my childhood hero, Team Ninja.

But most importantly, meeting this community of like-minded action fans, especially the beta testers, who offered invaluable suggestions. Every single step forward for Spirit X Strike has relied on your love and support!

Over the coming weeks, I’ll continue refining the Early Access build based on your feedback. I’m not aiming for blockbuster sales, just enough to finish the full version. Any additional revenue will be reinvested directly into improving models and graphics.

I’ll also link several dev blogs below so that new players can catch up on Spirit X Strike’s progress. Finally, feel free to add the game to your wishlist and join our Discord to exchange strategies and techniques.

Maicha, a lucky guy who fell in love with action games

More blogs here👇

Spirit X Strike - Difficulty Adjustment, Custom Settings, EA Release & Update Roadmap | Dev Blog#6 - Steam News

Spirit X Strike - Back from GDC: Addressing Your Feedback - Steam News

Spirit X Strike - Dev Blog #4: Parry-Counter Iron Wall Combat Style, Super "Claw" Strike, and More - Steam News

Spirit X Strike - Dev Blog #3: Weapon Interaction System, New Moves, and a Release Update - Steam News

Spirit X Strike - DevBlog #2: \ \ - Steam News

Hello, fighters! Maicha here.

We’ve just wrapped up the latest round of our closed beta, and I’ve been busy sorting through all the feedback these past few days. Seeing you all discussing boss strategies intensely, and reading all the lengthy, thoughtful feedback, it really hit me how much you care about what we’re building. Thank you so much for your participation and support!

Difficulty Adjustments & Custom Settings

The core content for the Early Access version is nearly complete, the focus now is on fine-tuning the game. Based on the recent invaluable playtest bug reports and feedback, I’ve been implementing solutions. In this dev blog, I want to address the biggest topic you’ve all raised: game difficulty. It’s not only our beta testers saying this, but demo players as well. The updated demo added three difficulties (that’s all but the hardest difficulty), and most players have told us the game feels too hard, too hard to be called Apprentice and Master.

In past updates, my main approach was to ease the requirements for triggering special moves. After talking with many of you, I realized that the real pain points come down to things like “multiple enemies attacking at once, no time to react,” “boss fights drag on for too long,” and “combat has a very low margin for error.” Since the root causes of difficulty are complex, I need to address them from multiple angles:

1. Enemy AI Behavior:

I’ll be rebalancing AI across all difficulties. On Apprentice and Master, Yellow attacks will track you less aggressively, and bosses will have optimized stagger mechanics, making it easier to have them staggered. Overall, boss fights should feel more manageable.

2. More Sufficient Resources:

I’m increasing the number of items you can pick up in-game, more healing and recovery items to give you a bit more room for error.

PS: The frustrating motorcycle “bosses” are now back to the minions they should be.

Although Spirit X Strike is about that fast, high-octane action, it mixes in some fighting-game strategy: neutral, spacing, and countering, etc. I know that different players need different pacing. To help with that, on Apprentice and Master difficulties, I’ll introduce “Combat Assist” (turned off by default). When enabled, you get a brief “Za Warudo”-style time-stop effect right before getting hit, giving you a moment to react. That way, you can have a more forgiving experience if needed.

I’ll also be polishing some basic quality-of-life settings: options to turn off motion blur, and key-binding customization if you need to replace the current default layout.

What to Expect in Early Access, Release Format, and the Future of Spirit X Strike

Right from the start, I mentioned that Spirit X Strike would launch in Early Access, and our players haven’t really questioned that. On one hand, you trust me even though this is a niche project; on the other, fans of old-school action games are usually savvy about Steam’s Early Access process.

I do still want to clarify that, Spirit X Strike has a clear schedule and I believe it meets Steam’s Early Access criteria: it’s “unfinished” (I’m transparent about this fact), it has a proficient gameloop in its current state, and I have a solid roadmap for continued development through to a final release.

a solo developer who plans, Spirit X Strike’s future updates are mapped out from day one. Once the six chapters in Early Access are out, I’ll jump right into designing and developing the final two chapters and bosses, along with new game modes. I’m aiming for one major update per quarter, so within six months I hope to reach my envisioned “version 1.0.”

To keep everyone updated, I’ve put together a small roadmap showing the detailed update schedule and exactly what’s included in the Early Access build. Feel free to check it out!

On the Art & Environment Quality

Many of you have pointed out that the models and environments feel rough around the edges. I really appreciate your love and support over the years, even when some videos and streams called out “poor visuals.” Some people have suggested I find investors to improve the graphics (Like anybody would invest in it lol).

Spirit X Strike is, at its core, a completely solo-developed indie 3D action game. That means with a limited budget, I could only focus on the meat and bones for this game, which is the stylish, high-octane combat that delivers pure action-game excitement. That’s all I’ve ever aimed for, and your love for this style of game is why this project exists.

Currently, I'm polishing the later stages of Early Access content. And I’m thrilled to share that Spirit X Strike will be featured at the PC Gaming Show on June 8! During next week’s livestream, I’ll reveal the Early Access release date and some brand-new updates. Thank you again to everyone who has played the demo and participated in the playtest. Let’s keep up the Spirit (wink) and punching forward together! (ideally together on Discord)

PC Gaming Show Livestream Link:

Demo Patch Notes

Core Combat & Interactions

Boss Battles

Camera

Levels and Tutorials

Parry and Counter Combo: New Combat Style, "Iron Wall"

Super "Claw" Strike and Double Super Strike

Weapon Interaction System and Special Moves

• When enemies attack with ranged weapons, you can trigger a Spinning Kick at the right moment to deflect projectiles back at them.
• In the full version, weapons dropped by stunned or defeated enemies won’t just disappear (as they do in the demo). Instead, you can kick them back into the fight.

• Throwing Axes: Stun enemies for a short duration.
• Machetes: Deliver heavy damage and launch enemies into the air.
• Machine Guns: Carter can deflect bullets and use them to trigger abilities like the Spirit Dash.

New Moves in Progress

PATCHNOTE

Adjustments

Camera Adjustments

• For crowd battles, where players need to track multiple enemies and monitor positioning, the camera will no longer remain centered on the player. Instead, it will adapt dynamically to keep both the main enemies and the player within view—think of a Devil May Cry or Ninja Gaiden dynamic camera. This aims to reduce the issue players encountered in the demo with off-screen attacks.
• For boss battles, the camera will focus on the midpoint between the player and the boss, similar to Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm or Dragon Ball Z Kakarot, allowing for smoother 1-on-1 combat. In a future chapter, this style will be applied to the duel between the main character, Carter, and his master, Aileen, creator of the Spirit Strike martial art. Here’s a sneak peek of this in action (still in testing!).

Game Difficulty

Boss Mechanics

When Punches & Kicks Collide: New Boss, New Combat Style

FAQs