Devlog #4 – The Rhythm of Battle (v0.1.3-alpha)

Hey everyone! 👋

A new version of Return into the Abyss is live!
This update brings some major gameplay changes focused on pacing, strategy, and flow — making every encounter feel more tactical and exciting.

Here’s what’s new in v0.1.3-alpha 👇

New Phase System

The game now features two distinct phases:

• Preparation Phase – The game starts here. You can play cards freely to prepare your strategy. Each card you play increases the Threat Level.

• Battle Phase – Once the Threat Level reaches its threshold, combat begins. For a set duration, all enemies and companions start attacking automatically.

This new system gives players a brief moment to breathe, plan, and build synergy — before diving into the chaotic, fast-paced action that defines the game.

Improved Targeting System

You can now simply drag and drop your card onto a target to resolve its effect — no extra clicks, no delays. It’s smoother and much more intuitive.

Enhanced Sound & Animation

Added new sound effects and combat animations to make every action feel more powerful and satisfying.

Reworked Loot System

Each level now has:

• A general loot table, containing cards that can drop anywhere in that stage.

• Specific loot drops, allowing players to farm for particular cards more strategically.

This gives more control and reward to players who like optimizing their builds.

New Mechanic: Mulligan

During the Preparation Phase, you can now discard cards from your hand to draw new ones — a classic card-game feature that deepens the strategic layer before combat begins.

All these changes are designed to improve the rhythm and clarity of gameplay — giving you more time to think, plan, and react, without losing the real-time tension that makes Return into the Abyss unique.

What’s Coming Next

Development for the next version has already started!
I’ve begun implementing the equipment system, which will allow you to farm and equip items such as swords, shields, staves, and accessories.
These items will not only increase your hero’s stats but also modify how certain cards behave, adding even more depth and customization to your builds.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Thanks so much for following my solo-dev journey and helping shape this game! 🙏

Eduardo M.