Please return the density spread to the way it was

[Konachibi]

As title. The newest patch has made too much of the map, especially in the early game, take far too long to mine through because there's so much hard terrain. It feels like chipping away at rocks in Minecraft using only my fists, and seriously slows down the fun and engagement the game has. The way it was before felt more fluid and enjoyable.
On the personal side, I enjoy playing Dome Keeper as a way to wind down before bed, it's calm and relaxing, and I always allocate an hour or so to playing it, but with the increase in ground density it feels like I'd need more than that to do a full relic hunt run. It took me twice as long to chip out what you can see in this screenshot to how it was yesterday.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2874148696

[David]

Low density rock already felt like it was becoming rare. I wonder what its like now(I'm on a saved game from previous patch).

What if: previous density setting was a modifier, or current setting is a modifier? Then it can satisfy both the people that miss the old density and people that want the challenge of the new setting.

I'm looking forward to trying the new density but it definitely looks like all difficulties got buffed with that. They did nerf the number of enemies that can be onscreen at once, so maybe if they make the previous setting a modifier it could be something like:

"Rock has generally less extreme densities but more enemies can appear at once in each wave."

[Rhonox]

I think they did this to make it more beneficial to dig out the lower density block instead of forcing the digging every 3 blocks down rows

[Mossflower]

If they want that though, they should make it clearer what is low vs high density. Because it's all one color, and it's not that easy to distinguish when you're trying to barrel through the rock against a timer.

[Zanaki]

I think its better this way, maybe they could fine tune it, but this makes it so you can't do straight lines every game as optimal strat and makes you plan where you want to drill and works your memory a bit.

[daynaskully]

Either upgrade your drill beyond your depth progression - or follow the path of least resistance.

[klh]

Originally posted by Rhonox:

I think they did this to make it more beneficial to dig out the lower density block instead of forcing the digging every 3 blocks down rows

Yeah, that didn't really work - I just upgraded drill faster than before and using the 1:2 strategy beat my Prestige record 10x.

[leiftiger]

Originally posted by Mossflower:

If they want that though, they should make it clearer what is low vs high density. Because it's all one color, and it's not that easy to distinguish when you're trying to barrel through the rock against a timer.

A small self-promotion: I personally found the rock textures from the demo to be easier to read, if you prefer that you could use my mod.

https://github.com/leiftiger/dome-keeper-demo-rock-textures

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2874770923

[Kittles]

I've noticed that on huge maps, even with several of the final repeatable drill upgrade, it is absolutely mind-numbing to drill through the bottom layers.

[René - Bippinbits]

Originally posted by Rhonox:

I think they did this to make it more beneficial to dig out the lower density block instead of forcing the digging every 3 blocks down rows

Yes, this.

I know this change might be a bit painful, because one strategy does not feel as good anymore - strip mine every third row. Tile hardness exists in the first place to encourage going for softer rock. What i recently saw is, that on most maps, there is a tiny amount of very hard rock only.
What changed with the last patch is that there are both more very hard and very soft tiles. Overall, this should not mean it is more difficult to play, as long as you don't ignore tile densities.
Adding tile density modifiers to the available ones is a good idea, i'll do that soon.

Originally posted by Kittles:

I've noticed that on huge maps, even with several of the final repeatable drill upgrade, it is absolutely mind-numbing to drill through the bottom layers.

Totally agree, repeatable drill was way too weak - it's strength will be doubled or more with the next patch.