It's been 81 days since the last update, definitely a longer break than planned. I took some time to focus on Guardian Realms TCG, both in its digital and physical forms, while also juggling a move to a different house, and diving deep back into streaming, now offering 12hr streams at least 3 times a week. 

Progress on the RPG halted, but it's recently started back up!

🛠️ What’s New in v0.6.0

While this update is light on content, it wraps up some important systems and fixes:

• 🚪 Fixed Door Bugs – Doors that weren’t working properly have now been fixed. No more awkward entryways.

• 🧑‍🏫 Tutorial Text Added – Early battles now feature basic tutorial prompts to guide new players.

• ⛏️ Mining & Smelting (Demo Version) – The foundation of the mining system is now in place! Gather ore, smelt it down. This system will expand in future updates specifically regarding upgrades to your base armor.

• 🧪 Internal Testing – I’ve completed a full playthrough of the current demo to eliminate major bugs. While a few minor issues still exist, the game should now be relatively stable.

✅ Demo Status

As of v0.6.0, I now consider the demo content complete.
Everything I wanted to showcase in the playable preview of Guardian Realms is in. The turn based combat, characters, story foundations, some side content, crafting, and progression systems.

🔍 Playtesting & What’s Next

Now that the demo content is wrapped, I’m looking for playtesters to report bugs, feedback, or things that feel off. This next stage is all about polish and refinement.

Coming soon:

• 🏆 Achievement System Plugin
  

  The following are Unofficial Achievements that will soon be tracked with the aforementioned plugin, feel free to try your hand at them:
  
  ACT 1:

  • Friendly Rivalry: Make Jess smack Stefo.
  • Realm Routine: Cook a meal, Mine ore and Rest at a camp fire.
  • Well-Read: Read all 5 pieces of literature, including letters and order notes.
  • Broken Resistance: Defeat every Carrowlander enemy in Broken Bridge.
  • Secrets of the Broken (I): Defeat Secret Boss #1
  • Secrets of the Broken (II): Defeat Secret Boss #2
  • Secrets of the Broken (III): Defeat Secret Boss #3
  • Miner Begins: Obtain a pickaxe
  • A Slow Death: Defeat Captain Zack Briar

  ACT 2:
  

  • Hero of Hollowhaven: Save Henry and Nelly from disaster (complete the entire quest chain involving Henry and Nelly)
  • Bar Brawler: Bash up the Drunk
  • Empath or Fool?: Pay the Drunk
  • Dawg Day Defender: Save Lina, Defeat the Big Dawg
  • Too Much Info: Read all 8 pieces of literature, including the.... "picture book".
  • The Halewood Legacy: Defeat the Halewood Brothers
  • Crab Conqueror: Defeat the Giant King Crab
  • Wings Clipped: Defeat Morrin the Vulture
  • Civil Service: Complete all 5 Town Hall noticeboard tasks
  • Wildflower: Find the secret on the Island
  • My Precious: Obtain your precious item
  • Impossible: Reach "the Hill"

  
  ACT 3:
  

• Marshall Law: Kill Marshall
• Shadow's of Gallowsreach: Escape Gallowsreach Prison
• Oathbreaker: Join the Carrowland Rebellion
• The Chosen Few: Save 3 future potential allies
• Pet Dat Dawg: Pet the Guard Dog
• Wasted Potential: Achieve the rot in Jail ending
• Chains Unbound: Defeat the Chainmaster

• 📜 Quest Log Plugin

• ⚔️ Next MSQ Chapter Begins – Work will shift toward finishing the main story questline in full, before moving on to side quests.

🚨 Future Platform Notice

Once we hit the v1.0 milestone of the demo, I’ll be moving all future updates to Steam. The itch.io version will remain as a snapshot of the early demo, but all new content, expansions, and full releases will be on the Steam page going forward.

❌ Brine the Hero has been removed

Yes, still. No, he’s not coming back. Let it go.

Thanks to everyone who’s been following the journey so far. If you’ve played it before, now’s a great time to give it one more pass, and if you haven’t, this is the best version yet. Looking forward to your feedback.

- DeeZie