Final Tuning: Visual Polish and Upgrade Clarity
The focus this week was on refining Hoard.io v2.0 to address lingering feedback and improve the game's overall polish.
Updates included:
A new upgrade menu at the end of each round
Improved weapon swapping UI
Reduced spawn rates for health and shield pickups to raise challenge
Visual overhaul of damage indicators and the death screen to match the game's style
Additional bug fixes and refinements to player health display and enemy balance
The upgrade menu, inspired by similar systems in games like Dead Cells, now offers a clearer and more rewarding structure. These adjustments made the game feel more cohesive and enjoyable, especially for new players.
Feedback from testers was highly positive, reinforcing the value of iteration, visual consistency, and meaningful player choice as outlined in Fullerton (2018, Ch. 12).
