Project Red Version 1.8 Release Date

It's a bit delayed then originally intended thanks to me catching a nasty cold, but I can firmly announce now that the next major update will be launching next week.  April 18th is the targeted date currently. (Note:  For some reason I'm having tons of trouble uploading pictures the last 2 days.  If some images are broken I apologize but I've delayed this for over a day already and it's just not worth the headache of me struggling anymore.)

So in this post I'm going to recap all of the currently guaranteed content in 1.8.  Please note more content IS in progress but I can't promise it'll be properly finished.  So starting from the top!

Upon starting a new game you'll be greeted with a new set of choices as to where you'd like to begin your play through.  Of course since Chapters 1 and 2 are new you're likely going to want to start from the beginning but for repeated runs you'll still be able to skip to the meat of the game and won't be forced to redo these segments every single time.  That being said Chapter 2 ends with a section we'll be going over later where various choices you make will customize your experience going forward.  So skipping Chapter 2 will always give you a "preset" version of those choices.

As has been discussed before Chapter 1 has now made it into the game in full.  This is a little visual novel like section where you'll make various choices that dictate which path you follow.  Eventually leading you to a dead end, or the start of Chapter 2.

This section can be completed in a relatively short time depending on your choices ,,though it's also possible to spend much longer if you keep hitting dead ends or actually want to experience each route.  After all while each Dead End counts as the same ending, they are all distinct from one another concerning where you are and how you die.  So there's plenty to see here IF you choose.  If not you can simply play it once and then skip it.

Eventually you'll find yourself in Chapter 2.  This is another short chapter that sets up the narrative that the game will follow and introduces most of the main cast including Witch and the Werewolf of course.  Just a heads up but Chapter 2 in particular is a very trigger warning heavy section. While the game has included plenty of warnings upon boot up most have not had the real reason on display yet (For example warnings of self harm despite the only related event being completely unfinished.) But Chapter 2 absolutely contains uncomfortable content.  Be warned.

But even after you meet your demise, death is not the end.  This short little section is very important.  This small path contains optional Butterflies that you can speak to.  Speaking to them will have them tell you about themselves and you'll be prompted to responded.  Please be aware that while these ARE optional, doing them can net you free items to start the game with, or even bonus affinity points with some of the Goddesses.  There are also mandatory conversations with the Witch that will further set you up for your journey.  Of note the final question introduces three brand new armor pieces that shake up gameplay quite a lot.  An accessory that allows you to manipulate turn order, an item that lets you manipulate destiny and get desired tarot results in combat, and a special anklet that allows you to teleport to the Room of Repose from the main menu at any time.

From here you'll have the chance to watch the newly updated credits movie.  The prior version had minimal art assets and only credited the at then, current list of Voice Actors.  The new version is chock full of art and credits the full cast list.  Give it a watch if you've got the time! There's some fun little hints and connections found throughout it.

Don't think the changes stop at just the new chapters though.  The rest of the game has also received lots of updates.  New enemies will be encountered very early on.  Imps have replaced Wyrens as the your second enemy encounter and will be a new enemy type to deal with.  Wyrens as a result have been buffed to better reflect their status as a more dangerous enemy.  Imps themselves are stronger than slimes but with a very vulnerable and exploitable weakness.  

Venture into the mines themselves and you can encounter another brand new enemy type in the Golem. Magical living rock entities they boast incredible defense and resilience.  They're slow so you should be able to avoid them well enough, but get caught and you'll be in for a world of pain. If you head to the mines as soon as you can explore them you're likely to be easily out matched and have no way to seriously harm them, so don't feel bad about running away if you need to.

The Merchant Camp has seen loads of updates that I've gone over already but to recap.  Each shop vendor has had their stock updated. The Alchemist now sells Enemy Intel, notes that contain strategies for defeating enemies you may encounter in the surrounding areas.  He can also craft enemy drops into uesful items.  The Blacksmith can now Upgrade your Knives.  Using ore to enhance your weapons into powerful + variants that come with unique traits.  Upgrading a weapon will also allow Red to Master that weapons unique skill for use with all her Knives.  You can also craft bullets now using Gunpowder and Shell Casings that you might come across on your journey.  Some of the events surrounding the camp have also been updated such as tweaks to the opening cutscene dialogue to reflect these changes as well as an additional lewd event and some tweaks to which order the lewd events unlock in and how accessible they are right out the gate.

On top of that the tents you come across both in the camp and outside of it can now be entered.  There's plenty of interactions to be found here as well as additional loot.  In the future some special events will take place here but for now there's not really much beyond extra loot and some fun additional lines.

Even more new enemies! Plague Rats will be found in the Broomhill area.  Annoying little guys that will constantly try to infect you with poison.  Once you reach the sewers they'll come in much larger packs and be a major obstacle in your path, replacing what was once a section with nothing but Crow enemies.  The Alchemist has no intel on enemies like these though, so what to do about that?

The Broomhill Inn has also been updated!  You can talk to the Innkeeper to get more Enemy Intel relating to enemies found in the Broomhill section of the game.  Give yourself an age against those pesky Crows!  Not only that but you can also unlock cooking if you wear the Bunnysuit and speak to him.  Cooking can produce some of the best healing items in the game so don't skimp on it!

Even more features and content are also being worked on up to the last minute that I can't include here.  Rest assured this update is chock FULL of new stuff.  On top of 2 brand new chapters and multiple tweaks and additions to the existing content, there's also an absurd amount of new voice acting for Red, Hati, Cheshire and Scarecrow.  You'll definitely want to go through the whole thing to experience all the changes and new content.  And I hope you'll fully enjoy returning to the world of Project Red!  Just remember, don't go into the graveyard.