xREL.v3

update v1.0.3:

Version 1.0.3 is now live! It addresses many features requested by the community, and tweaks a few balance issues. Here are the full notes:

Gameplay:

- You can now press the R3/Right Stick button (Keyboard: Left Ctrl) to have allies follow your current character while you're exploring the world. Only allies that are within battle assist range (a couple of screen lengths away) will get the signal to follow. Be aware that they will run toward you and not jump or avoid hazards - that's still up to you! They will stop following if you press the button again, switch characters, or encounter something (like a battle or cutscene) that interrupts your journey.

- (A quick note: if you're using a keyboard, you'll have to first use the Reset Controls option in order for Left Ctrl to start functioning, since it's a new binding. Sorry about that!)

- You can now exit an area with just one ally at the end if you've completed the Treasure Hunt quest for the area.

- Assist characters can now be called to attack any time during the Attack phase, including as the initial attack.

- Rik can no longer use his Super Defense move after having dodged once when the "Fast On Your Feet" skill is unlocked.

Interface:

- You can now adjust the audio levels of sounds and music on a sliding scale. Volume levels will default to 0 if your old setting had them turned off.

- Items will now stack in your inventory. The inventory is still navigated the same way.

- Added a "View Manual" option to the main menu. Visit this option to open the manual in a browser window. Tutorial recaps are still to come, once they're thoroughly polished.

- Removed the "Close Menu" option from the main menu. You can still use the menu button (Default: GamePad Y, Escape key) or cancel button (Default: Gamepad B, C key) to close it.

- Changed the "super" trigger prompt during the Defense Phase so it's less obtrusive and presented more like an option.

- Fixed a typo in the training tutorial.

Technical:

- You should no longer lose special assist characters you had purchased during a previous run of the game. If you are on a New Game + run and have lost them already, the option to buy them back should be offered immediately in the "Spend Gildeds" screen.

- You can no longer buy item packs with Gildeds if your inventory is full.

- You can no longer loot chests containing quest-critical items if your inventory is full.

Balance:

- The Princess' "Air Whip" skill now hits multiple times, and provides a significant pop-up effect.

- Rik's "Quiver with Rage" skill now deals more damage and has less spread.

- The damage boost applied to Rik's Quiver/elemental thrown attacks has been increased from 30% to 50%.

- You can now hold down the attack button during "Quiver with Rage" to attack automatically. The attack rate is a bit lower than hitting the button naturally.

- Rik's super defense now prevents flying foes from attacking, making it useful in more situations. Affected foes will "flash" briefly when the skill is initiated. This does not work on flying bosses.

- Reduced the potency of Forgiveness healing somewhat.

- Increased the soft cap on Fury's SP restoration.

- Capped Tox's SP gain for absorbing powerful magic to 5 SP per hit.

- Boosted HP and damage of late-game foes some more.

- Greatly boosted stats and damage of post-game optional bosses.

- Boosted the enemy stat bonus granted when playing a New Game + on "Hard" difficulty.