Summary

Hi everyone! Today, I've just released an update to Propeller Rat that rebalances a bunch of levels to make the difficulty progression curve more gradual. I've gotten some great feedback about the state of the game, and I've determined that the levels in their current iteration were way too difficult. I've updated a bunch of the levels in order to make it a more satisfying experience to get through the levels with a more gradual ramp up in difficulty, rather than it being a frustrating experience with unfair spikes in difficulty.

I've also completely changed the last world, and instead I moved the original final world to be a bonus world that unlocks when you beat the game. There has also been a couple of QoL changes, like laser previews being longer and a different pattern, and game data saving throughout the game.

Changes

• Increased laser indication line time by 200ms and changed it to a solid, dithered pattern
• Save game data after every level, not just on quit (I'm so sorry toad)
• Make hazards keep moving after level finishes instead of freezing in place or disappearing
• Created new bonus world, Hazarmede+, that unlocks after you beat the game (consists of the original levels)

World 2:

• 2-7 "Complex": Adjust block start positions so you don't have to wait as long

World 3:

• Adjusted level order
• 3-2 "Worm": Made even wider
• 3-5 "Nook and Cranny": Bigger gaps between columns
• 3-8 "Offset": Changed block positions
• 3-9 "Comb": Spaced out level
• 3-10 "Blizzard": Spaced out level

World 4:

• 4-2 "Turrets": Slow turret timings
• 4-3 "Whirl": Slow turret timings
• 4-4 "Rain": Slow turret timings
• 4-5 "Hash": Slow turret timings
• 4-6 "Take Cover": Slow turret timings
• 4-7 "Upstream": Slow turret timings
• 4-8 "Shields": Slow turret speed and timings
• 4-9 "Crosswalk": Slow turret timings
• 4-10 "Cocoon": Slow turret timings

World 5:

• Adjusted level order
• 5-4 "Sweep": Changed to one-directional pattern
• 5-5 "CPU": Changed to alternating timing pattern
• 5-7 "Waffle": Changed to alternating pattern and widened out walls
• 5-9 "Loom": Slowed laser timings
• 5-10 "Assured": Removed some keys and adjusted key placement for better flow

World 6: 

• Adjusted level order
• 6-3 "Turnstile": Reversed spinner direction for wider gap
• 6-5 "Conditioning": Adjusted spinners and widened walls
• 6-6 "Current": Shortened and widened level
• 6-7 "Hypercross": Adjusted lasers
• 6-8 "Lotus": Halved laser timings
• 6-9 "Lily": Slowed down blocks
• 6-10 "Rush Hour": Reduced turret fire rate and adjusted key placement

World 7:

• Adjusted level order
• 7-1 "Corridor+": Shortened level and increased gaps
• 7-2 "Ventilation": Shortened level and widened level
• 7-3 "Blender": Slowed spinner
• 7-4 "Lightning Strikes": Widened level and changed laser timings
• 7-5 "Barracuda": Shortened level, widened cubbies, and changed laser timing
• 7-6 "Sleet": Slowed down speed/timing for turrets and moved keys down
• 7-7 "Comb+": Spaced out level
• 7-8 "Down the Barrel": Slowed down speed/timing for turrets
• 7-9 "Blizzard+": Spaced out and slowed down blocks
• 7-10 "Highway": Shortened level and shortened/slowed down blocks

World 8:

• Converted existing world 8 levels to new, bonus world, and labeled them as "[Level Name]+"
• 8-1 "Railgun": Slowed laser and turret timings
• 8-2 "Gearbox": Slowed spinner and turrets
• 8-3 "Market Street": Slowed lasers, blocks, and turrets
• 8-4 "Collapse": Slowed turret timings
• 8-5 "Traveling Merchants": Slowed blocks and laser timings
• 8-6 "Bullet Time": Slowed turrets
• 8-7 "Wind Tunnel": Shortened level and slowed turret timings
• 8-8 "Ant Colony": Slowed turret timings
• 8-9 "Security System": Slowed laser timings and reduced laser count
• 8-10 "Factory": Slowed laser timings, turret timings, and blocks