Endless Mode Post-HQ Run Change

[sgt johnson]

Apologies for the near-unintelligible title; I had a tough time figuring out how to word this one! XD

I had recently been playing with a friend (we pretty much solely play 2-player co-op) and having already finished one run by heading to HQ, we wanted to continue the run we were then on to keep trying to build/customize our train. We were surprised and disappointed to discover that there is an extremely significant speed-boost applied to all levels after unlocking HQ.

We were hopeful upon reaching the mole boss again and see our train was suddenly reset back to normal, thinking that maybe the speed-boost was just a one-time challenge to reset after unlocking HQ, but then were quickly disappointed to find the train set back to an insane speed upon entering the western biome.

For us, this speed-boost was far too much, requiring a constant rush just to keep rail ahead of the train. I absolutely love playing Endless mode in Unrailed 1, but the current speed-boost to increase difficulty for later loops across the currently available biomes completely changes the Endless mode experience in Unrailed 2.

We loved the idea of making bosses more powerful, like how the Mole uses larger dynamite in the second encounter because that kind of change keeps things fresh and challenging without killing the pacing of the game. I'm all for allowing one to reach insane speeds trying to get us much as possible before moving to the next biome, but a permanent speed-boost effectively brings an "end" to the experience I loved continuing in Unrailed 1 Endless mode.

Just to note: It's tricky trying to word this in a way that doesn't just sound like "Eez too hard! <(>_<)>", so I want to emphasize that I love the many different challenging situations I often find myself working through in Unrailed. From trying to plot a route through a tricky map to frantically trying to keep up with a runaway train that's eating up track almost as fast as you lay it down, there are so many fun situations, but I think the key for me is that none of these situations are the constant. There is an underlying core experience that is always going on, with the crazy situations mentioned above happening sporadically throughout.

Again, no idea if I managed to make any sense here, but this is probably the biggest thing I've seen throughout my time with Unrailed 2 that needs to be changed.

Thanks for reading! Also thanks to the devs for making a great sequel to a great game! :D

[Indoor Astronaut]

Thanks for the feedback!
We see the issue with the speed increase and we're not happy with the situation either - just as you describe it.

The current implemented solution has a fixed speed when entering a biome based on how often you're seen that biome. We saw that if this base speed is low, very skilled players started to do many many rounds and had almost never ending sessions. Thus we just used a rather high base speed. However it's a bad design as we do not know if players can actually clear a map with that speed.

We have a new suggestion though: Having a speed based on the last speed on that biome minus a bit (eg 80% of it) to guarantee it's doable for some stations.
We can also buff the bosses a bit - the mole boss shoots a bit faster already but we haven't touched the others yet, I agree it would be cool if they'd be more distinguished.