Well, finally. A little niche-r favorite Crypt of the NecroDancer has received an update after a 5-year hiatus. And, while it’s not entirely a content-focused update, it does provide (everyone’s favorite) quality-of-life improvements. Crypt of the NecroDancer is a top-down roguelike rhythm game that was first released on PC in 2015, followed by console releases over the next few years. However, there has not been any update to the game since early 2018, when a new zone, boss, and characters were added with the Amplified prequel expansion. Now, we are receiving an overhaul of several key systems, from Steam Deck support to an easier “No Beat” mode.
As Crypt of the NecroDancer gameplay relies on matching each action with the beats of the increasingly complex soundtrack (lovingly dubbed “Spookhouse Rock”), the addition of a “No Beat” mode allows players to take an easier stroll through the procedurally-generated dungeons. This feature looks to be accessible to all characters. Additionally, the developers have added a “save and quit” feature that allows players to suspend their games mid-run, rather than having to play to the end of a zone in order to save progress. Further, suspended runs can now be added to several leaderboards: Deathless, Story, and All-Characters.
While there are some new features coming with this update, as well as some fixes to known bugs and desync issues, a majority of this update focuses more on the player’s interaction and integration with the game. A big boost for the game’s longevity, a custom-level editor, is coming to Crypt of the NecroDancer, giving players and modders a variety of tools to make their own dungeons. Players will now be armed with improved controls allowing for more customized mapping; a custom music system overhaul; a new mod loader and menus; and of course, the new level editor’s own integrated tools and more customizable hotkeys, which have received a sizable upgrade. Finally, the developers have optimized the game to a more lax system requirement, allowing for better streaming of in-game resources and faster load times.
Overall, the changes may not be the flashiest for fans expecting a DLC or expansion, but they will certainly prolong the game’s lifespan, especially for passionate players who are still investing time in the game 7 years later.