(Previous) Demo - Bugs, suggestions, questions, & feedback

[Sandy]

Hi,
I played the (previous) demo for a good bit and made some screenshots and notes but it took a while to sort it all out and get to posting it. Today I wanted to post them but see there is an update on the demo, I’ve only had time to glance at the patchnotes but I see that some things I’ve mentioned are already addressed. I also can’t access the old demo numbering anymore unfortunately. I wanted to still upload my 2 cents just in case this is still useful, so here is the link to my bugs, suggestions, questions & feedback.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ujgn_Fbf_6rQEoNElsTMALcLHWuDCDFHkan7HVeb_Sw/edit?usp=sharing

Can’t wait to try the new demo, had a lot of fun with my playthrough!

[inDirection Games]

Super detailed feedback. Holy moly. Thanks a lot for taking your time! I'll go through them and see what is relevant after the update. As to your questions:

1) Is there an ETA on this game's release? The store page says soon, but not sure if it says that about all upcoming games.
I think it says that for any game without a public release date. We haven't nailed the exact date down but it's next year. Likely not too late into it.

2) When a keeper leaves due to a relocated house, how long does the penalty for creatures moving in last?
It lasts until the next curious creature shows up. Now, a keeper shouldn't leave if they just have a new house. I guess it could happen if they're still lost somewhere and can't get back home though.

3) What is the quest "Keep your eyes open"? I have forgotten.
It's just to keep your eyes open ^^. Nothing is required from the player.

4) I was wondering if placing the banish and heal option next to each other is a conscious choice to make the game a little tricky. If not, consider adding some space between them. I find on the controller it can be easy to missaim in the chaos of a red gnome attack.
Interesting point. I'll take that as feedback. Not intentional as being tricky, probably more as they are creature spells that they are close.

5) How do I get my gnomes to help fight/heal in story mode? I see it as an option in sandbox, but there are no red gnomes to fight.
I think it doesn't get unlocked until a bit later in the story, and the Demo is basically the full game but with some content cut off, so it just doesn't show in the Demo.

6) Should we do something when an earthquake countdown is happening? I feel like I should prepare somehow.
Hmm. Not that much really. If you have any critically decaying items, I'd tend to them. Otherwise it's just a heads-up.

7) Why do some of the blue gnomes sometimes get a red shirt that disappears when you pick them up? (See screenshot)
They are reading a book. Though, I've heard it looks like they get a red shirt so I may have to redo that animation ^^

8) Is there anything we can place near keeper houses to make them happier?
Not currently. I will be looking into that as well. Probably better housing but maybe I'll increase their habitat size instead and have some items make their home better.

9) What can we do against ancient plants? How to keep our critters safe?
Currently not so much in the demo. I'd say the best is to keep some keepers around in case of poisoning. Maybe fence them in so most creatures can't get to them. There will likely be upgrades to move them around and stuff in the future but I'm exploring that later.

10) I have not been able to puzzle out moth habitat requirements (see screenshot) What am I missing?
Hmm. Hard to say but you have all of the ingredients in the area, so I wonder if it's just a matter of getting some of them closer together. I'd suggest tracking the moth from the Journal and using the Habitat overlay (Right trigger + X) in the area and see if you can get the numbers to go up. It's likely just a single item missing.

It's hard to know as well because this may have changed with the new update. Like you noted before, the raised bed didn't contribute to some other creatures, but I think I added the Land tag for the update, and the Moths require a full 25 tiles (5x5) of land. So it might just be that raised bed (in the old version).

11) I made screenshots in picture mode, and it said “captured” when I made them, but now I can”t find them anywhere. Where did they go?
"%localappdata%/inDirection Games/Horticular Demo/Screenshots"

Thanks again! Very helpful document! <3