Build 10 is here!

This is the second to last update, although for me this feels like the biggest build of them all. It's certainly the most significant, and it's been in planning since they very beginning of the VN's production. Sidmon really deserves a lot of praise for this build, as he's poured his heart and soul into creating some really unique visuals! Elle too has pulled it out the bag once again, so hopefully this really shows off the importance of our artists in this community!

And once again...

CONTENT WARNING!

The VN now contains intense scenes of horror and gore that you may find disturbing, so please do not continue reading if you find the content distressing.

• Day 12 - 22k words. Although it’s slightly on the shorter side, this is easily the densest and most impactful build in terms of content by a huge margin.
• 10 new CGs on day 12 by Elle and Sidmon, four of which are animated.
• 5 new original music tracks - two on day 12, two added on previous days and a revised main theme (for a total of 9 tracks, with one more to come in the final build).
• A revamped main menu.
• A new gallery to view all the CGs in the game. These are unlocked by viewing the CGs in-game (unfortunately not save game compatible so simply start a new game and fast-skip all day 1 to 11 content to unlock every gallery piece)
• A music room to listen to the full Soulcreek OST.
• An extras option to read The Whispers of Carmine plus some additional lore on the Sabre War.
• Revisions to the story on early days, which includes a new CG for day 7 during the Informed chase scene, a new map design for Illayla and the OST replacing some public domain music.
• On a personal note, you also get my undying gratitude for supporting me in an insanely difficult time.

If you want to know what previous content has been changed, I'll list it all down below so you don't have to do a full playthrough to find a few little bits here and there. It's definitely worth re-visiting day 7 for the new CG for the Informed, though!

On a personal note, I fully appreciate all the support that's been given in light of the circumstances by which I've had to release this build. It means a hell of a lot! On another personal note, you have my utmost thanks if you got the build on early access or waited for the public release, both options are more than enough! 

I'll set up a separate discord channel in the Soulcreek server for those who want to buy and discuss the new build without spoiling it for others! You can also find me on twitter and bsky to get updates and previews on the project. I also occasionally do dumb streams of silly horror games!

That's all! I'll let the new content speak for itself.

"Be good. Be good to each other."

-Ryuo

PS, I know some people have been very anxious about how the story might end up. Rest assured I don't plan on leaving anyone unsatisfied or upset by it!

Prologue:

Minor edits to make the dialogue more concise throughout.

Loken’s dialogue is altered to emphasise his inconsistent use of continuous verb tenses.

Alex’s dialogue has been changed to make him more compliant to his situation out of fear of retaliation. A few lines of narration were added to subtly indicate his distaste for feeling ‘helpless’ in this new situation.

The interaction between Alex and Drevonia where she states her mistrust of him and desire to imprison him has been altered.

Added a small variation to the dialogue between Takhi and Alex where she now mentions the Path being the Blackrunner ‘code of conduct’, not the Four. The Path is now a much more distinct element of the Blackrunner lore.

Day 1:

Minor edits to make the dialogue more concise throughout.

Added an interaction between Drevonia and Alex where she mentions the Blackrunner Path to him but tells him to ask Loken for more details.

An updated map of Illayla has been added. The scene where Drevonia shows Alex the map has been re-written entirely.

The origin of this map has been altered - it is now stated that it was created by Aeyon, not the Automonks.

Takhi’s reaction to Alex asking if she’s ever seen a Demon is now more hostile, reflecting her trauma better.

When exploring Alex’s subconscious, one of the options has been altered.

Day 2:

Minor edits to make the dialogue more concise throughout.

The scene in the hot-springs has new dialogue where Loken explains what the Path is to Alex for the first time, as it is now a more upfront element of Blackrunner lore. This also includes a greater description of the Blackzones and their nature, and Loken’s uncertainty of following the Path is touched upon.

The scene where Alex upsets Loken, leading to him confessing to his non-verbal childhood, has been altered. More details have been added, and Alex is less abrasive. It is now Loken who is more abrasive, to greater reflect his insecurities.

The scene where Byte convinces Alex to let him enhance his senses for the first time has been altered so Byte is leveraging Alex’s desire to feel less reliant on Loken’s protection to persuade him.

Aeyon’s line ‘the Zephyr Texts call him homo sapien’ has been changed to ‘the Automonks call him homo sapien.’ An important distinction.

A small addition to the scene in which Loken confesses his sexuality adds on his distaste for the Indulgence being because there is never anyone ‘like him’ there.

Day 3:

Minor edits to make the dialogue more concise throughout.

Loken originally states that Aya began his Blackrunner training when he was twelve. This has been retconned to six. The length of time Loken was trained has also been clarified from six years to ten.

Added a line where Aeyon chastises Loken for his denial of the Path.

‘Into the Black’ from the Soulcreek OST replaces the atmospheric sounds in the Blackzone.

Many scenes where Alex sees the ruins of the Zephyr for the first time were changed in various places. A greater emphasis has been put on Alex's buried trauma stirring, to reflect this moment as being the start of his character arc.

Added a line where Loken reflects on being the most knowledgeable Blackrunner on Demons and their nature.

When exploring the Rhinestone Dish, Alex now sees the logo for ExoTech for the first time here.

Added a short dialogue at the end of the day where Alex asks Byte if his memories are truly gone, and wonders about the depth of the ‘anger’ he felt today. Byte dismisses his concerns as ‘perfectly normal grieving’.

Day 4:

Minor edits to make the dialogue more concise throughout.

The dialogue between Takhi and Alex where she asks if the Demon ‘was real’ has been changed.

Extra dialogue between Alex and Drevonia, discussing Alex’s stirring anger and the Path.

Byte’s justification for keeping knowledge of the algorithm from him is slightly clearer.

Day 5:

Minor edits to make the dialogue more concise throughout.

The exchange between Loken and Alex where they argue over how to approach searching for Alex’s past has been edited. The Path is mentioned.

Some dialogue between Kaius and Drevonia is deleted, as it gives a misleading impression of their relationship.

Takhi tells Alex about the Sabre War for the first time on this day.

Day 6:

Small changes to the dialogue between Loken and Alex in the lake, where Alex confronts Loken about his fear of the Path.

Day 7:

Minor edits to make the dialogue more concise throughout.

The OST for Soulcreek was added to several scenes, replacing the old public domain tracks. The tracks ‘Ashes’ and ‘The Boneyard’ are played on this day.

The dialogue where Loken and Alex discuss the Sabre War has been edited, since Alex already knows about it at this point. Alex now challenges Loken’s perception of Drevonia and questions her motives. Loken is defensive and insists that Drevonia is a good person.

Loken now introduces Nitro as ‘his oldest friend’ and a ‘true follower of the Path’.

A few edits were made to reinforce the fact that Nitro is blind. For example, Nitro now asks Alex if Loken is scowling, rather than just assuming he is.

Alex mentions that he has seen the ExoTech logo before when they find it.

The chase scene with the Informed in tunnels has been re-written. It now has new CGs by Sidmon, and some parts are re-written to create a greater ‘horror’ vibe.

During the Demon’s attack, a few lines specify Alex’s injury where he wonders if he has lost his eye.

Some of Glitch’s dialogue was altered to make him more sycophantic. He now places greater emphasis on having returned Alex’s subconscious memories, wanting him to embrace his darker self and explicitly stating that saving humanity is possible. He also acts more emotional at times, being offended at Alex’s rejection of him and ‘proud’ when he finally breaks.

Alex’s final dialogue with Loken is altered. He puts a greater emphasis on wanting to ‘ignore’ the past and forget it again by choosing to follow the Path as a fully fledged Blackrunner, and Loken warns that he cannot abandon his memories.

Alex now explicitly asks Byte to erase his memories all over again, but Byte refuses.

Byte now confirms that he is the reason Alex could not remember that bipeds existed when he woke up. He also mentions that there might be more memories he could unlock, but Alex refuses them.

Day 8

Minor edits to make the dialogue more concise throughout.

A lot of edits were made to Alex’s dialogue. He is now far more aggressive in denying his past and using the excuse of choosing to follow the Path as a way of ignoring his trauma.

Added a small line when Alex is explaining everything to Aeyon, Nitro and Loken. They briefly ponder how Glitch knew about the algorithm, but ultimately have no answer.

Day 9

Minor edits to make the dialogue more concise throughout.

A small edit was made to the dialogue between Kaius and Nitro regarding how they first met.

‘Ashes’ from the Soulcreek OST has been added to the scene where Alex remembers his sister.

Day 10

Minor edits to make the dialogue more concise throughout.

The Whispers of Carmine

At the beginning of the story, it is stated that Loken’s age is twelve. This was an editing oversight on my part. He is meant to be seven.