Rogue Wave: Enhancing Player Strategy and Immersion

Welcome to the DevLog for the open source project, Rogue Wave. While our goal is to create a prototype, the game has reached a stage where it offers an enjoyable experience. Join us as we delve into the recent updates and improvements that enhance player control, level design, enemy variety, and overall gameplay.

Player Empowerment through Loadout Customization

In the previous version, players could choose a starting loadout at the beginning of each run. However, this choice had minimal impact on the game, leaving players with little control over their strategy. We’ve addressed this by introducing a sortable list of appropriate buildable upgrades. Now, players can define the order in which weapon upgrades are made in each run, providing them with significantly more control over their strategic approach.

We maintain the rogue-light randomness, players still receive random upgrades throughout the run, adding an unpredictable element to their strategy. This balance allows for a dynamic and engaging gaming experience.

Evolving Level Design with Wave Function Collapse

Our dedication to enhancing gameplay extends to the level generator, which has undergone significant improvements in this release. We have replaced the entirely random level generator with a wave function collapse generation method. This not only adds more order to the levels but also sets the foundation for creating more intricate and diverse environments in future releases.

To support this work, we are now procedurally generating some of the meshes inside the levels, offering nearly infinite possibilities for building structures. Utilizing the open-source procedural toolkit, we plan to replace placeholder buildings with procedurally generated ones in future releases, adding a new dimension of variety to the game.

New Enemy: The Torus Engine

A compelling game like Rogue Wave can never have too many enemy types. In collaboration with the community, we’ve introduced the Torus Engine, a formidable, slow-moving enemy with high durability. Its powerful weapons and explosive demise add a strategic layer to gameplay. As we continue to receive new enemy models from our community, we look forward to expanding the roster in future updates.

Player and Enemy Improvements

In response to valuable player feedback, we’ve made substantial improvements to the Nanobots healing algorithm. The algorithm now prioritizes building health based on the player’s injury level, providing a more balanced and dynamic gaming experience. Additionally, we’ve introduced a scattering of enemies across the map at startup, challenging players to be vigilant from the moment of spawning.

To balance the increased difficulty, we’ve enhanced the starting max health for players and introduced a variety of health upgrades. These changes not only make the game more challenging but also allow players to strategically upgrade their health through the use of Nanobots.

Aesthetic Enhancements

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we’ve made aesthetic enhancements to the game. All enemies now explode upon destruction, providing a more satisfying and visually immersive experience.

Your Feedback Matters

While we have come a long way, Rogue Wave is far from complete. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of the game. We invite you to experience the latest updates, explore the improved gameplay mechanics, and share your thoughts with us. Your input plays a crucial role in the ongoing development of Rogue Wave.

Thank you for being part of this exciting journey. We look forward to hearing from you as we continue to refine and expand Rogue Wave.