This update introduces a new mechanic that significantly impacts gameplay: the slide.

Originally popularized by a certain Blue Bomber, the slide mechanic provides players with more combat options, add or decrease the distance to your enemies. It also enhances exploration, as certain areas can only be accessed via sliding, as well as being a quicker way to travel through levels.

In response to the new slide mechanic, some parts of levels have been redesigned, adding shortcuts and adjusting jumping sections to improve fairness.

Additionally, new signs have been added to the tutorial level as visual indicators to guide players.

The boss, Armless Maiden, has been slightly adjusted:

• She is now more durable and less easily defeated (this is a somewhat experimental change).
• Her projectile attack (when she spits rat skulls) can now be deflected back, causing critical damage to the.
• She can still be defeated through normal means, but the new deflect mechanic offers additional strategic options.

The game’s intro has been completely reworked, featuring full animation and new music, providing a more engaging start.

I highly encourage everyone to revisit the demo, as the slide mechanic greatly enhances the gameplay’s fluidity and speed.

List of Changes:

• Added slide mechanic for the player.
• Fully reworked the game intro with animation and new music.
• Chandeliers in the first level now swing (again) as an attempt to draw in the players attention and hit them.
• Increased boss durability.
• Boss projectiles (small rat skulls) can now be deflected for dealing critical damage.
• Added sound effects for boss projectile creation(small rat skulls).
• Whip upgrades are now equipped immediately after purchase.
• Sylpha Halberdiers (the green pike-wielding enemies) now have a slight windup delay before attacking.
• Fixed gold layering issues: gold now appears in front of candles, not behind them.
• Made the first encounter with Skull Scorcher (fire-spitting enemy) more accessible for new players.
• Adjusted jump sections in both levels, to make them a bit more fair.
• Added new sections that specifically utilize the slide mechanic in both levels.
• Added signboards in the tutorial level to visually indicate objectives in each room, with out the need to read the signs.
• Added a new song to play in the sewer room where Lina waits.
• Fixed equipment menu issues: opening/closing the menu while attacking no longer cancels attacks.
• Fixed a bug with the boss gates: player sprite now updates correctly when jumping under it.
• Wall Stalker and Wall Watcher enemies (the wall skulls) are no longer hurt by missed throwing knives that hit walls.
• Player's hood is now a bit more lively, and moves while the player jumps (probably the most important change in this build).

Happy whipping!