Caverns and Dryads 2.3.5: deluxe Android version, Bestiary improvement, and Guides

The new Caverns and Dryads update 2.3.5 includes all of this: 

BESTIARY DLC IMPROVEMENT

It’s a small change, but it adds a lot of convenience. Now, when you are in combat and check the Bestiary, the monster’s entry will appear automatically.

You can still browse other entries as always, closing it and searching. But the first thing you will see, in combat, is your opponent’s entry in the Bestiary.

This makes sense because almost always, when you check the Bestiary during combat, it’s to learn about your opponent. Also, the changes in the combat log mean that the word “foe” is shown instead of the monster’s name. So even if you weren’t paying attention when the monster appeared, you can still open the Bestiary and find its entry immediately.

I also plan improvements for the Maps DLC. As you know, those who bought the DLCs receive these updates simply by updating the game.

I also fixed a bug in the Bestiary DLC that displayed monster habitats incorrectly.

USABILITY AND UNDERSTANDING

Caverns and Dryads has players who are experts in the RPG genre. But there are also others who play more often in different genres. 

There were some things that were hard to understand for players not used to RPGs, and other things that could be improved.

For example, it wasn’t obvious when the game saved progress. So now the map shows “PROGRESS SAVED” on the destination button, which turns red for one and a half seconds. Afterwards it shows the message “Click on a nearby place” instead of “Select your destiny”.

The reason is that some players weren’t clear on when the save occurred. Yes, returning to the world map is a checkpoint. Now anyone playing for the first time understands it instantly.

And the other reason is that some players thought you could click anywhere and travel there.

You can’t, because that would ruin the story. Also, Tamzyn and Sioul travel on foot through steep caverns. You can’t fly or teleport anywhere at will. You must move to a nearby connected place. 

Discovering which places connect to which is part of the game’s appeal. You can also get the Maps DLC, which can trace a route. In any case, reaching another point means crossing what lies in between, on foot.

HEART BECOMES JOURNAL

Another improvement is changing the “Heart” button to “Journal”, both in text and icon. The Heart screen originally only showed the relationship between Tamzyn and Sioul.

After adding much more narrative and worldbuilding, that name no longer described what it contains:

• Milestones achieved
• Friends of the heroes and allies
• DLCs if you have them, such as Bestiary or Maps, and if not, the Lore (free).

Additionally, I plan to expand it with other sections, such as “rumors”. 

Right now it’s more like a typical RPG journal, and even more. 

ANDROID DELUXE VERSION

There is a version of Caverns and Dryads for Android, that now includes a Deluxe variant. 

On Windows, DLCs are optional material sold on Steam. 

For Android there is now a new Deluxe version that includes the Bestiary and Maps. This version is paid. Buying it, just like the Steam DLCs, helps me, and it’s a nice way to support my work. You also get precise information about monsters, lore about the creatures, and a route planner between locations.

The Android and Windows versions save different game files. If you use both, each one starts from the beginning or from where you left off on that system. Keep that in mind.

If you play on Android, you might prefer the Windows version because it’s more beautiful and has decorations and larger illustrations. And it has achievements, a player leaderboard, and more.

If you use the Windows version, playing the Android version is an alternative if you want to play Caverns and Dryads at moments when you don’t have your computer at hand: at night in bed lying on your back, in waiting rooms, in the garden, or places like that. Yes, also on the toilet. 

Now, with the Deluxe version, using both is especially satisfying.

I know that in September Google is going to make installation difficult, but they’ve added a method I’ll explain which is basically just to annoy people. You activate an option in Android, wait 24 hours (yes, silly), and then install the .apk. You can ask me already if you have doubts. They did it basically to annoy devs. If you don’t use a fully updated Android, you won’t have that problem or any delay.

Here's the deluxe version: https://louis-dubois.itch.io/caverns-and-dryads-deluxe-for-android

And the free one: https://louis-dubois.itch.io/caverns-and-dryads

GUIDES

I’ve decided to write guides for the different parts of the game (combat, etc). They will be in the Steam community. Since I write them myself, they will also include lore and curiosities, internal rules, etc.

You can read the release news on Steam here.

Thanks as always for playing Caverns and Dryads and being part of the community! :)