Watch the release trailer here. It's good, do it!

Version 0.4 of Reality Layer Zero is now available.

This update constitutes a major revision to virtually all content present in earlier builds of Reality Layer Zero. Adjustments to character art, gameplay balance, graphical effects, stability, and the script have all managed to find their way into this update.

There are also several new additions, including a new "reminiscence debate" gameplay mode, an extended gameplay sequence following your first night in Liere, a greatly-elaborated game over screen, and several new and revised music tracks.

This update does not include the next major story update (the act to follow the Second Layer), as this is still in-development.

For something approaching an exhaustive list of all of the changes... See below!

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v0.4 Changelog

- Visual -

• Revised all character portraits for 2D dialog view.
• Revised fullscreen "debate victory" art/effect.
• Revised the two First Layer fullscreen illustrations.
• Added two new fullscreen illustrations for Second Layer.
• Replaced (most) 2D billboard trees with 3D models.
• Improved background blur effect during cutscenes.
• Added focal blur effect to 3D view.
• Expanded postprocessing effects, to include:

•     Radial blur
•     Bloom
•     Alternative chromatic aberration shader (takes center point into account)
•     Sparkles (gpu-based)
•     Sunshafts
•     Screenspace fog
•     Shockwaves/screenspace displacement maps
•     Real-time color adjustment
•     Dithering in 3D view (off by default)
•     Shader-based vignetting + speedlines

• Added ambient camera shake during adventure mode and debate mode.
• Revised protagonist's debate sprites.
• Adjusted map of Liere in pause menu to show "scales" icon over presumptive location of Justice Square.
• Made Bad End screen more elaborate.
• Reduced (although did not eliminate) prevalence of "black background" cutscenes, for visual flair.
• Added HUD to adventure mode, to display current location, time of day, and progression stats.

- Gameplay -

• Added "partial resonance" mechanic. Arguments can now be resonated with fresh premises as long as their cost can be met. However, using fresh premises (as opposed to accepted ones) will reduce the argument's weight.
• +1/+2/x2 Damage status cards now add a percentage chance to act again after criticizing the afflicted mode.
• Argument switch cards now auto-summon the cost of the switched-to argument. 

•     Pivot cost: 1E -> 4E
•     Change of Subject cost: 1L1E -> 1L3E

• Added garden path sequence during first night in Liere, introducing evidence presentation mechanic and "reminiscence debate" feature.
• Added "reminiscence debate" mode and associated letter-grade ranking criteria.
• Added 13 new NPCs to various adventure mode scenes around Liere.

- Script -

• Revised script of First Layer, prioritizing concision and clarity of dialog.
• Added garden path sequence during first night in Liere, introducing Hapax Legomenon (shadows).
• Greatly revised script of Second Layer.
• Adjusted timeline of events in Second Layer slightly, to make the solution to the mystery less obvious.
• Fen Myrra's advice is now somewhat more useful.
• Fen Myrra is now somewhat more conversational.
• Theron Naysmith is now somewhat more subtle in overall demeanor.
• Modified end-of-act conclusion for Second Layer slightly.
• Added post-conclusion stinger at the end of the Second Layer.

- Audio -

• New music: The Gratitude of Plants
• New music: Bad End
• Revised Rival Theory and Rival Theory (Muted Layer)
• Added a handful of new sound effects.

- Stability -

• Fixed hard crash on savegame during end of second layer (cutscene effect serialization issue).
• Fixed intermittent crash related to room transition behavior immediately following querying for argument progression information.

- Configuration -

• Expanded video options menu. (New postprocessing effects can all be disabled if desired.)
• Disabled changing resolution outside of the main menu (to prevent bugs)
• Externalized font configuration settings.
• Added colorblind options.

... And maybe other stuff? If I remember anything else, I'll add it here!

- Garrett Thompson (Sole Member of Act-Novel)