A bit late with this announcement cause I kinda forgot (heh), but here it is.

This new update features that make the game visually look good and play better. After playing the previous version in a longer period of time, I came to conclusion that I am glad I added this to the new version: a parry counter attack with revamped blocking - Blocking no longer requires reseting after being hit, so you can just hold it and deflect every attack. The counter attack is also really powerful and will keep your enemies busy for a few seconds.  This feature alone makes this game easier and more fun.

Another new feature is a new attack combination - X-Pause-X-X on ground. Similarly to the dash attack (Sprint+X), it knocks out enemies for a second or two, making it just as useful as the X-X-Pause-X-X attack, maybe even more useful.

Another big new feature is the addition of Global Illumination, which made some obvious difference with how the game looks. There are more visual changes like more saturation and contrast and the enemies now have outline glow, and because their colors blend with the ground so well, the glow makes it easier for the player to recognize its position.  Another changes include some new VFX, like the charged draw attack "I'm ready" flash, which makes it easier to launch the draw attack just as it finishes charging.

Even though this game is just here and isn't being played by others (Because I don't advertise it or force anyone to play it), I'm still gonna work on this game 'cause I'm too motivated to stop. Right now, I've finished working on a new boss and I'm working on a new level with lots of new stuff. To anyone who even looks back at this game even after Juice Jam 2, it would be nice to know that you're looking forward to the next big thing, but considering how big this update will be I have these thoughts that it won't see the daylight.  But if I keep my motivation going, I might actually make it. I have this saying:

"Motivation makes success, success makes motivation."

-EXR879, 2023

Full changelog:

Additions:

-Added a pause combo - Cross slash thrust. Excecuted with X-pause-X-X

-Added high damage parry counter attack, can be executed by timing your blocks.

-Added a new enemy - Shinobi. More info in instructions.txt

-Added hard difficulty indicator to the results screen.

-Added scripted battle sections, which can be triggered only under certain conditions.

-Added more effects with charge draw attack

-Added the ability to change audio volume, since the game is pretty loud. You can change it by pressing -/+ or O/L on your keyboard.

-Enemies are now more distinguishable from the ground with new glow effects.

Changes:

-Block impacts no longer reset blocking.

-the block impact screen effect is now exclusive to parry hit.

-Raised maximum time bonus to 8000 points, which is equivalent to 175 seconds.

-Animation tweaks

-You can no longer manually exit to main menu while in Game Over screen.

-Dashing will automatically rotate the character to the direction of movement input.

Reworks:

-Reworked the visuals with Global Illumination (Experimental).

Fixes:

-Bug fixes with enemy knockout.