Relentless Frontier: The Big Roadmap
What it do, fellow humans? Korzodin here, project lead for Relentless Frontier! Hope you've all remained alive and hydrated in these thrilling times.
Us? We've been plugging away at Relentless Frontier, progressing along the Big Roadmap. "What is the Big Roadmap?" you ask? Let me show you:
LORE N' VANIA UPDATE
Planned Release: Q3 2025
Lore N' Vania! A sorta goofy way to say:
We're adding more lore and story to Episode 1, as well as improving the exploration aspect.
Story and Exploration are the two primary focuses of this update, but we've got a whole list of planned improvements:
Lore - We're improving the game setting through data logs and environmental storytelling. The city maps, in particular, have received a lot of work.
Vania - We're leaning more into the Metroidvania aspects of Relentless Frontier, adding more environmental interactivity with the abilities the player acquires.
The Pulverizer - A new bolt-action mine thrower! Launches sticky proximity mines that can latch onto the environment as a trap, or fired directly at the enemy to detonate on impact. Effective against armor and swarms, but the ammo is rare and expensive to omnistruct. Use 'em wisely!
Poison Pods - The bugs have started using chemical warfare! These armored, purple-glowing pods emit a potent corrosive gas, eating through armor and flesh alike in the blink of an eye. Direct damage doesn't seem to have an effect, but they seem to be extremely flammable...
An Actual Ending Sequence - You will no longer be dumped into a "YOURE WINNER" screen at the end of Episode 1!
Improved FX - Better gore, more destructibility, cooler hit feedback, and most importantly, etc! Lots and lots of etc.
UI / UX Improvements - Smoothing out the menus, and adding more options (Including a walk/run toggle!)
Bombardier Refinements - Everyone's favorite lump of literal (and metaphorical) bugginess is getting some much-needed attention! We want to emphasize his role as an artillery tank, and make him less frustrating to fight without fire damage. Maybe get him a new coat of FX work?
GOING ROGUE UPDATE
Planned Release: Early 2026 (rough estimate)
Not quite going full rogue, just going more rogue-like...
The "Going Rogue" update will add a new game mode: Rogue Mode. This mode will add a variety of randomization and progression options for a customized second/third/hundredth playthrough!
A few of our plans for this mode include:
New Upgrades - The likes of which would have made the base campaign horribly imbalanced! But in Rogue Mode, the sky's the limit (sometimes literally, with the right mobility upgrades).
Random Events - Maybe you come across a squad of friendly RDI troops, maybe you find a drop pod filled with supplies or upgrades, or maybe a pack of Titans decide to show up and ruin your day? Who knows, roll the dice!
Enemy Mutations - Enemies can spawn with random mutations, giving them extra abilities and effects!
Corruption Cards - At the start of every level, choose one of three gameplay modifiers to add to the rest of the run!
Endless Mode - Run doesn't end until you die. Levels are shuffled, and once you beat a set, they're shuffled again. Get them massive gains / corrupt your run to insanity!
EPISODE 2
Planned Release: 2026 (rough estimate)
I'm going to be real with you guys for a moment -
Episode 2 is a doozy. We're introducing new enemy factions, a large hub-connected environment, and a bunch of new mechanics and weapons.
The biggest reason for Episode 2's doozy-ness: we've decided to combine Episodes 2 and 3. I wanna make this clear, you're not losing content. We didn't want player progression to get interrupted for this episode, as it's going to be a much larger factor in Episode 2. Pacing-wise, it will feel much better as one part. Story-wise, it will be much more impactful.
All that being said - I'm very excited for Episode 2. Maybe I'm a bit biased? But I'm hoping that excitement comes through in a tangible way.
- Michael "Korzodin" Ewer
