Heads up for Risk of Rain Returns: Exploring Update 1.0.4

Heads up for Risk of Rain Returns: Exploring Update 1.0.4

Summary: 

The Risk of Rain Returns 1.0.4 update has arrived with a plethora of enhancements, including bug fixes, multiplayer improvements, and balance changes. This article delves into the specifics of this exciting patch, with a focus on Providence Trials and aiming mechanics.


Risk of Rain Returns: Update 1.0.4

The world of Risk of Rain Returns has just become even more thrilling with the release of update 1.0.4. This comprehensive update brings a slew of improvements and adjustments that will undoubtedly enhance your gaming experience. In this article, we’ll explore the key highlights of this update, including bug fixes, multiplayer enhancements, balance changes, and more. Join us as we dive into the exciting world of Risk of Rain Returns.

The Risk of Rain Returns 1.0.4 update marks a significant milestone in the game’s development. It introduces a host of changes and improvements that aim to provide a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience. Here’s an overview of what you can expect from this update:

The update addresses various bug fixes, ensuring a more stable and reliable gaming experience. Most notably, it fixes the extremely rare occurrence of Nematocyst Nozzle dropping from enemies, providing relief to players who encountered this issue.

Risk of Rain Returns has always been an enjoyable multiplayer experience, and this update takes it to the next level. It introduces improvements in client-authoritative enemy attacks, enhanced feedback on client attacks in online multiplayer, and added client prediction for specific interactions, reducing networking overhead.

Balance is crucial in any game, and Risk of Rain Returns recognizes this. The 1.0.4 update tweaks item and equipment drop balance, providing a more balanced gameplay experience for all players. Survivor movement speed has also been normalized, ensuring that slower survivors can keep up with the rest.

Providence Trials play a pivotal role in Risk of Rain Returns, and this update brings significant changes to them. From improved behavior of certain enemy projectiles to adjustments in teleporter boss equipment drops, these changes will influence your strategy in Providence Trials.

Precision is key in Risk of Rain Returns, and aiming mechanics have received attention in this update. Players can now disable Huntress’s auto-aim and the aim-direction reticule in the accessibility settings, allowing for a more customized gaming experience.

Bug Fixes and Improvements

1. Client- Authoritative Enemy Attacks

One of the standout improvements in this update is the transition to client-authoritative enemy attacks. This change enhances the responsiveness of enemy attacks in online multiplayer, ensuring that your actions have a direct impact on the outcome of battles.

2. Enhanced Feedback in Online Multiplayer

Playing Risk of Rain Returns online with friends is a blast, and this update seeks to make it even better. The update provides improved feedback on client attacks during online multiplayer sessions, making it easier to coordinate with teammates and respond to threats effectively.

3. Client Prediction for Specific Interactions

To reduce networking overhead and ensure smoother online gameplay, client prediction has been added to certain interactions. This change means that your actions will feel more responsive and synchronized with the game world, making for a more enjoyable multiplayer experience.

4. Leniency of Client Disconnections

No one likes sudden disconnections during an intense multiplayer session. With the 1.0.4 update, the leniency of client disconnections in online multiplayer has been increased, minimizing disruptions and allowing players to reconnect more easily.

5. Improved Behavior of Projectiles

The update addresses the behavior of several enemy projectiles. Notably, the Lynx Archer, Lemurian Lancer, and Bramble projectiles now behave more predictably and consistently online, making it easier for players to dodge and strategize effectively.

6. Consistency in Brilliant Behemoth Interactions

The Brilliant Behemoth is a powerful item in Risk of Rain Returns, and this update ensures that its interactions remain consistent both online and offline. This change allows players to rely on its effects more reliably during their adventures.

7. Decaying Sample Damage and Stacking

Decaying Sample now properly deals 100% damage and stacks correctly. This fix ensures that players can use this item to its full potential, contributing to more diverse and exciting gameplay experiences.

8. Balancing Item/Equipment Drops

Item and equipment drops have been tweaked to ensure a fairer distribution during gameplay. This balance change aims to provide a more equitable experience for all players, regardless of their chosen character or playstyle.

Multiplayer Improvements

Risk of Rain Returns has always been known for its exciting multiplayer gameplay, and the 1.0.4 update aims to make it even better. Here are the key multiplayer improvements:

1. Teleporter Bosses and Equipment Drops

Teleporter bosses are pivotal encounters in Risk of Rain Returns, and this update brings changes to their equipment drops. They may no longer drop equipment, providing a new layer of challenge and strategy to these encounters.

2. Normalized Survivor Movement Speed

Survivor movement speed has been normalized, ensuring that all characters move at a more consistent pace. This adjustment enhances the overall balance of the game, allowing players to focus on their strategies and cooperation with teammates.

3. Character-Specific Fixes

The 1.0.4 update addresses specific issues with certain characters. For example, the Bandit’s “Smokebomb” skill no longer cancels itself if an attack was performed immediately before the ability was activated. These fixes contribute to a more enjoyable and fair multiplayer experience.

Balance Changes

Balance is a crucial aspect of any game, and Risk of Rain Returns is no exception. The 1.0.4 update introduces a range of balance changes to enhance gameplay:

1. Buffering for Sniper’s “Steady Aim”

The buffering for Sniper’s “Steady Aim” has been disabled to prevent chargeless ‘misfires.’ This change ensures that players can use this skill more effectively without unexpected interruptions.

2. Pilot’s Skill Improvements

The Pilot character receives improvements in this update, allowing them to cancel their primary skill into other abilities. This change provides more versatility and fluidity in gameplay.

3. New Abilities for Heaven Cracker

Heaven Cracker now allows the Miner to gain heat and the Drifter to generate scrap. This enhancement adds depth to these characters’ abilities, opening up new strategic possibilities.

4. CHEF’s “BUTCHER” Skill

CHEF’s “BUTCHER” skill now has a proper unique icon, making it easier for players to identify and use this boosted alternate primary skill.

5. Acrid’s “Toxic Bubble” Skill

Acrid’s “Toxic Bubble” skill now properly stacks damage with damage from Caustic Sludge, enhancing the effectiveness of this skill in combat.

6. Huntress Improvements

The Huntress character sees several improvements, including fixes for bolts not striking enemies when colliding with walls simultaneously and the ability to cancel “Strafe” into other abilities. These adjustments make Huntress gameplay more seamless and enjoyable.

7. Utility Skills and Rope Climbing

Various utility skills can now be canceled into rope-climbing, improving movement options and platforming. Rope interactions have also been altered, preventing players from falling off the top of ropes when climbed to the top.

8. Rapid Fire Accessibility Option

The “Rapid Fire” accessibility option has been altered slightly to improve functionality, making it more accessible and user-friendly for players.

9. UI Scale Option and Mouse Lock

New options have been introduced, including a UI Scale option for menus and a mouse-lock option for improved control and customization.

10. Key Bindings

Players can now bind “Up” and “Jump” to the same input, providing more flexibility in configuring controls to suit individual preferences.

11. Language-Related Fixes

The update includes various language-related fixes, ensuring a smoother experience for players of all language preferences.

12. Performance Improvements

The size of textures used by the game has been reduced, potentially improving performance on lower-end machines. Additionally, low graphics quality now disables the most expensive shader effects, further enhancing performance on less powerful systems.

13. Level Design Tweaks

Several level design tweaks have been made to improve gameplay. These adjustments include offsetting ropes from walls in Ancient Valley and fixing collision errors in various stages.

14. Monster and Enemy Changes

Enemy balance has been fine-tuned, with changes such as reduced damage for Swifts and reduced health for Archer Bugs. Additionally, certain enemy attacks no longer bypass player invincibility.

15. Technical Fixes and Improvements

Various technical issues have been addressed, including crashes, audio-related problems, and issues related to input devices. These fixes contribute to a smoother overall gaming experience.

Visual Improvements

Risk of Rain Returns has always had a unique and engaging visual style, and the 1.0.4 update enhances this aspect of the game. Here are the key visual improvements:

1. Texture Size Reduction

In a move aimed at improving performance on lower-end machines, the update reduces the size of textures used by the game. This optimization can lead to smoother gameplay, even on systems with limited resources.

2. Low Graphics Quality Optimization

Low graphics quality settings now disable the most resource-intensive shader effects. This adjustment is particularly beneficial for players with less powerful hardware, as it further enhances performance.

3. Rope Interaction Changes

Rope interactions have been altered to prevent players from unintentionally falling off the top of ropes when they reach the highest point. This tweak improves platforming and traversal within the game.

4. Ledge Detection

To enhance precision in player movement and prevent near-misses during platforming segments, ledge detection has been added. This change ensures that players can navigate challenging environments with greater ease and accuracy.

Challenges and Trials Modifications

Risk of Rain Returns offers a variety of challenges and trials to test your skills. The 1.0.4 update brings several modifications to these elements:

1. Overloading Enemies Range Reduction

Overloading enemies have posed a formidable challenge, and their range has been reduced in this update. This adjustment offers players a more balanced and manageable experience when facing these powerful foes.

2. Locked Trials Clarification

The update addresses a minor issue where locked trials sometimes appeared as though they could be opened by clicking on them. This clarity ensures that players can easily distinguish between unlocked and locked trials.

3. Lynx Totem Interaction Fix

In the “Castle of Memories” Providence Trial, players have encountered issues with the Lynx Totem’s killscreen icon. This issue has been corrected, providing a smoother and more accurate gameplay experience.

4. Player Hitstun Adjustment

A critical change is the adjustment to player hitstun during the “Castle of Memories” Providence Trial. Players will now experience more consistent and fair interactions when facing certain enemies.

5. Softlock Prevention

The update addresses a potential softlock scenario in the “Castle of Memories” Providence Trial, ensuring that players can progress smoothly without encountering unintended issues.

6. Miner’s Secondary Skill Balance

Miner’s default secondary skill has undergone balance adjustments. This change ensures that the skill remains challenging but fair, offering a more enjoyable gameplay experience.

7. Aspect Ratio-Dependent Skill Descriptions

An aspect ratio-related issue with skill descriptions has been resolved, ensuring that skill information is displayed correctly for all players, regardless of their screen dimensions.

8. Server Creation Fix

A crash that could occur when creating a server has been resolved, ensuring a more stable online multiplayer experience.

Providence Trials Changes

Providence Trials are an integral part of Risk of Rain Returns, offering challenging scenarios for players to conquer. The 1.0.4 update introduces several changes to these trials:

1. Score Adjustments

The update addresses the ability for scores to change after a trial has already ended, ensuring that the scoring system functions correctly.

2. Umbras and Time Stop Effects

Umbras, powerful foes in the “Judgment” trial, have been fixed to properly interact with time stop effects. This adjustment maintains a consistent gameplay experience and prevents unintended interactions.

3. Chef’s “The Right Ingredients” Trial

Chef’s “The Right Ingredients” trial now exclusively counts “Cook” kills for score, providing a clearer objective and scoring system for this trial.

4. Han-D’s Trials Rebalancing

Han-D’s trials receive significant adjustments in this update. “Main Systems Offline” and “Routine Maintenance” trials have been re-adjusted to better reflect the changes introduced in the Decaying Sample item.

5. Huntress’s “Blades in the Wind” Trial

Huntress’s “Blades in the Wind” trial sees substantial rebalancing. These adjustments allow for more diverse and engaging gameplay scaling as players progress through the trial.

6. Pilot’s “Emergency Ejection” Trial Cleanup

The Pilot’s “Emergency Ejection” trial has undergone cleanup to address collision errors and remove awkwardly placed scoring items, ensuring a smoother and fairer trial experience.

7. Engineer’s “Get Off My Lawn” Trial End Condition

Engineer’s “Get Off My Lawn” trial now ends when players hit 5,000 points. This change simplifies the trial’s objective and provides a clear goal for players to strive towards.

8. Loader’s Trial Adjustment

Loader’s “Ruins of the Future” trial features relocated Hopoo Feathers, enhancing the challenge and dynamics of this trial.

9. Miner’s “Scorching Heart” Trial Difficulty Increase

The difficulty of Miner’s “Scorching Heart” trial has been increased, including appropriate boss respawns. Players will face a more formidable challenge when taking on this trial. These changes to Providence Trials aim to provide a more balanced and engaging experience for players, encouraging exploration and strategy as they tackle these trials.

Aiming Changes

Precision in aiming is essential in Risk of Rain Returns, and the 1.0.4 update brings several notable changes to aiming mechanics:

1. Huntress’s Auto-Aim Option

Players now have the ability to disable Huntress’s auto-aim feature within the accessibility settings. This change allows for greater control and skill expression when playing as Huntress.

2. Aim-Direction Reticule Toggle

Another accessibility option introduced in this update is the ability to toggle the aim-direction reticule on or off. This customization feature empowers players to tailor their aiming experience to their preferences.

3. Turning While Using Primary Skill

Players can now turn their characters while using the Primary Skill if they briefly release the fire button. This adjustment enhances maneuverability and responsiveness during combat.

4. Player Drone Firing Improvement

Player Drones can now fire while backing up, increasing their combat effectiveness and utility.

These aiming changes provide players with more control and flexibility, allowing for a more personalized and enjoyable gaming experience.

Accessibility and User Interface Improvements

The 1.0.4 update of Risk of Rain Returns brings several enhancements related to accessibility and user interface:

1. Rapid Fire Accessibility Option

The “Rapid Fire” accessibility option has been altered slightly to improve functionality, making it more accessible and user-friendly for players who require this feature.

2. UI Scale Option for Menus

Players now have the option to adjust the UI scale for menus, ensuring that the interface is comfortable and readable for all players, regardless of their display settings.

3. Mouse Lock Option

The addition of a mouse lock option enhances control and precision during gameplay, especially for players who prefer using a mouse as their input device.

4. Key Bindings Flexibility

An exception has been made to allow “Up” and “Jump” to be bound to the same input, providing greater flexibility for customizing key bindings to suit individual preferences.

These accessibility and UI improvements aim to make Risk of Rain Returns a more inclusive and user-friendly experience for all players.

Language-Related Fixes

In a diverse gaming community, language support is crucial. The 1.0.4 update addresses several language-related issues to ensure a seamless experience for players using different languages:

1. Language-Related Fixes

Various language-related fixes have been implemented to enhance the accuracy and clarity of in-game text and localization. This ensures that players can fully enjoy the game in their preferred language.

Conclusion

The Risk of Rain Returns 1.0.4 update is a significant milestone in the game’s development, bringing a plethora of improvements and adjustments to enhance your gaming experience. From bug fixes and multiplayer enhancements to balance changes and accessibility options, this update addresses various aspects of the game to provide a smoother and more enjoyable adventure.

As you dive into the world of Risk of Rain Returns with this update, you can look forward to a more stable and balanced experience, whether you’re playing solo or with friends. Embrace the challenge of Providence Trials, fine-tune your aiming skills, and explore the improved user interface and accessibility options.

With these changes, Risk of Rain Returns continues to evolve, offering an engaging and dynamic gameplay experience that keeps you coming back for more adventures.

FAQs
  • 1. What is Risk of Rain Returns?
    • Risk of Rain Returns is a popular action-packed roguelike game known for its challenging gameplay and cooperative multiplayer features.
  • 2. How can I access the 1.0.4 update?
    • To access the 1.0.4 update, ensure that your game is up-to-date through your preferred gaming platform, and the update should be available for download.
  • 3. Are these changes applicable to both single-player and multiplayer modes?
    • Yes, the changes introduced in the 1.0.4 update apply to both single-player and multiplayer modes, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
  • 4. Can I customize key bindings in the game?
    • Yes, the update provides flexibility in key bindings, allowing you to customize your controls to suit your preferences.
  • 5. How do I disable the auto-aim feature for Huntress?
    • You can disable Huntress’s auto-aim feature within the game’s accessibility settings.
  • 6. What improvements have been made to multiplayer?
    • The update includes improvements such as client-authoritative enemy attacks, enhanced feedback on client attacks, and added client prediction to reduce networking overhead, ensuring a smoother online multiplayer experience.
  • 7. Are there any new characters or items introduced in this update?
    • This update primarily focuses on bug fixes, balance changes, and gameplay improvements. There are no new characters or items introduced in 1.0.4.
  • 8. How can I report issues or provide feedback on the update?
    • Most game developers have dedicated forums or support channels where players can report issues or provide feedback. Check the official Risk of Rain Returns website or forum for information on how to contact the development team.