Xbox Live Arcade game Hydrophobia released this summer to mixed, sometimes harsh reviews. The developer, Dark Energy Digital, has taken those criticisms to heart and will release a massive update to the game that will dramatically change how it plays.
Dark Energy calls the update, due on December 21, Hydrophobia Pure. It “overhauls many of the games systems and introduces a number of enhancements, according to the feedback we received from critics and the community.” It also comes with a new price for Hydrophobia, 800 Microsoft Points. Current owners of Hydrophobia receive the hefty update for free.
For the very long list of changes from a committed, perhaps humbled developer, read on and see them in action in the Hydrophobia Pure trailer above.
Improved Graphics
Character dynamic self-shadowing
Enhanced lighting
Improved textures
Better water spray effects
Improved water reflection and refraction
Enhanced electricity effects
Environmental geometry tweaks
Additional video texture work
Physics Enhancements
Increased number of dynamic objects
More realistic character water resistance
Explosive forces re-balanced
Overhauled Camera System
Camera positioned closer to character
Improved tracking of the action
Enhanced collision detection
Better FOV for framing the action
Improved Movement and Animations
More fluid and precise character control
Improved character animations add realism
Enhanced animation transitions make the character more ‘weighty’
New Climbing System
Continuous hand-over-hand climbing system added
All new, more realistic animations
More fluid climbing controls and movement
Platforming
Automatic ledge grab functionality
Improved swing mechanic
Improved jump-from-balance mechanic
Control Layout
Switch to a more traditional control layout
A to jump
LT to aim
RB to detonate enhanced Gel and Energy Rounds
Dialogue Re-Edit
Dialogue has been pruned
Irritating or extraneous lines cut
Cutscenes Re-edit
Cutscenes reviewed and edited
Overly long cutscenes shortened
Collectables
Emails and E-Books no longer interrupt gameplay when collected
Collectables re-positioned throughout levels
Points awarded for collectables tweaked
New Waypoint System
Waypoints for every objective and sub objective
Choose permanent on-screen waypoints or new MAVI only mode
Waypoints added for Ciphers and Frequency Keys with colour coding
Corpses with Frequency Keys glow orange for easy identification
Map Improved
Improved controls and button layout
Default view of Kate’s position
Toggle Kate’s position / objective location manually
Easier to navigate
Prompts
Prompts re-worked for better clarity
Prompt triggering reviewed and improved
Tutorials
Video tutorials cut back
Improved in game tutorials
New tutorial puzzles
Wading Improved
Enhanced physical character feedback from water forces
Improved transitions between wade states
Swimming Improved
Improved swimming controls, more finely balanced
180 degree swim turn removed
Improved camera behaviour when swimming
Underwater combat system streamlined
Puzzles
Improved feedback for Cipher and Frequency Keys
Ciphers re-positioned for greater accessibility
New mission orders related to Ciphers add to the backstory
Existing puzzles refined where possible
New electric puzzle elements added
Damage System Improved
Kate no longer unfairly damaged/killed by unseen elements
Fire/electrical damage reduced
Combat damage re-balanced
Overhauled Damage Feedback
Monochrome health feedback system implemented
Enhanced directional damage indication
Heartbeat force feedback and SFX added
Audio ducking system improves health feedback
All New Oxygen Feedback System
Oxygen bar added
Heartbeat force feedback and SFX added
Phobia effect for oxygen feedback enhanced
Phobia audio hallucinations added
FOV pulse added for drowning feedback
Phobia warping effect removed from non-submerged sections
Overhauled Combat System
Automatic weapon holster/unholster system
Seamless integration of combat / non-combat systems
Improved aim reticule
Aim remapped to LT
Destructible objects highlighted more clearly
Destructible objects easier to hit
A greater supply of ammo throughout the levels
AI improved and enemies rebalanced
More enemies and more engaging combat design
Weapons Improved
Sonic Rounds overheat removed
Sonic Rounds charge time halved
Sonic Rounds do more damage to NPCs and are lethal
Multiple Gel and Energy Rounds can be deployed simultaneously
Deployed Gel/Energy rounds can be detonated as a group
All New Cover System
Smoother transitions in and out of cover
Easier and more intuitive to get in and out of cover
Toggle cover whether armed or unarmed
All new animations make cover system more realistic
Checkpoints and Reloading
Checkpoint positions reviewed and improved
More checkpoints
Automated and faster reload after death
Levels and Game Balance
Vent behaviour improved
General level design tweaks
AI numbers and positioning improved
Ammo amount and placement improved
Collectible placement improved
Gameplay balance improved throughout
Value
Price dropped to just 800 Microsoft points
Trial extended to allow players to sample more of the game for free
