Release - Shards of the Past 0.4.0

The latest version of Shards of the Past is available for download.

Arrive at Castle Helmsworth as the rescue finally begins. A stop in a village shows just how deep the hatred of elves runs, and Branson reveals a part of his past that explains a lot about him. Damerek’s past starts to catch up with him also, and a confession about the wagon's cargo raises the stakes for everyone. Inside Castle Helmsworth you'll meet Elwyn, Kaela and Moria and make some pivotal decisions that will direct the course of your story in the future. Finally, the camp encounter lets you spend a night on the road if you passed by those in need in the previous release. Tempers flare over the choices that got you there and suspicions about the wagon grow. Strange dreams and memories are beginning to come back to you that hint at where you really came from.

This release contains the following new content and updates:

Images: 3,768 new story renders and 1 movie (Total 7,400)

Audio files: 1 new song with vocals and 80 new music tracks and sound effects

Word Count: 73,000 words of just new story dialogue (Total 156,800)

New Gallery Images: 6

New Achievements: 8

Features and Improvements:

• Changed "Preferences" screen links and title to "Options," aligning with main menu naming.

• Added Text Size slider in Options for larger dialogue font (in-game only).

• Added the ability to name your save files with either an optional always present text field or a popup prompt when you click a save slot. The toggle option for each is in the Options menu.

• Added a new feature that allows for the creation and naming of custom folders to put save files in. This should make sorting different playthroughs easier.

• Added labels for all gallery images.

• Updated sub-menu fonts and text colors to match the main menu.

• Updated Main Menu background images with randomized starting points.

• Updated warning screen with expanded content on darker themes.

• Overhauled the Gallery screen with new sections: Images, Dreams, and Scene Replays.

• Added a Gallery Image for Isolde from her previous scene.

• Replaced Raelynn's Gallery Image with a new version.

• Added Ren'py Cloud Save Sync for cross-device save for syncing and playing saves on multiple different devices.

• Overhauled the in-game Journal system. Characters, factions, locations, and items will now have a codex-style entry with important details you have learned during your gameplay. Journal uses two different fonts to improve readability. (Hand written and Text)

• Added a built in Walkthrough and Hints system for all choices. Hints are worded to keep them as spoiler free as possible. Enabled and Disabled from the Options Menu.

• Created a PDF Player’s Guide with similar Walkthrough content as well as additional background and lore. (Still a WIP in the early stages)

• Added Bonus Gallery for the Walkthrough DLC with almost 300 images.

• Added missing campsite scenes for Branson and Damerek paths if you did not help Maggie or were kicked off Raelynn’s farm.

• Updated RenPy to version 8.5.2

• Full Release version for Android Devices.

• Updated the in-game quick menu to support mobile devices and Steamdeck

• Added a new interactive world map of the Northern Territory, opened from the Map button in the quick menu. The obscuring fog is removed as you discover new locations.

• Translations for Portuguese, Spanish, French, Russian and Chinese

Fixes:

• Fixed Damerek's dialogue for consistency.

• Fixed Moria's image displaying incorrect eye color.

• Fixed images with characters' hair overlapping their faces.

• Updated Chapter 2 battlefield images with the correct Helmsworth banner.

• Updated Jonah gravesite images to replace the cross with a small stone stack.

• Fixed incorrect image after waking up from the dream at Raelynn's on Damerek's path (when sleeping alone).

• Corrected spelling errors from previous content.

• Fixed relationship points not being added for Damerek if you ignored helping him the first time but changed your mind in Chapter 1.

• Added missing variables for a couple of Chapter 1 choices.

• Fixed broken Relationship Variable from Chapter 3 if you agreed to work for Branson.

• Fixed a missing variable for Branson’s path if you stay the night at Raelynn’s farm and declined sharing the bed with Qinara.

• Added a missing Bunk Mates achievement for both Damerek and Branson paths if you shared your bed with Qinara after having lost the tavern fight.

• Updated various typos, punctuation and elvish text in all the previous chapters.

Downloads available for members of all tiers HERE