"Cypress" Beta released! news

Updated July 20 2014: Updated Win/Linux to version 1.2! After a full year of painting and programming, I've finally released the Beta version of "The Testament of the White Cypress" for Windows, Mac, and Linux. I've made the Beta available here, for your playtesting pleasure! Read on further for download links and a list of what's new.

The "Cypress" beta is feature-complete, and now includes the full quest along with the ending movie. In addition, there are numerous other improvements since 0.99:

• The camera has been moved back from the action, so that a larger area of the gameworld is shown onscreen.
• The player can now pause the game at any time by pressing Spacebar or right-clicking Geoffrey. Issuing any command resumes gameplay.
• Tutorial pop-up messages are now shown throughout, to help guide the player through new situations. (See image below.)
• The world map now indicates locations of discovered Waystones (requires sextant.)
• The numeric ratings for Attack, Defense, and Resistance are now shown in the status line.
• Geoffrey must actually traverse a portion of each terrain sector before being able to fast-travel again.
• Scrolls now show a "continued…" indicator when there are more pages to read.
• There are now two types of clothing—leather leggings and shirts provide additional protection from attacks and some resistance to cold, whereas silverwool leggings and shirts are especially good for warmth and allows safe travel to truly frozen areas. Leather and silverwool may be layered.
• There is a new sidequest involving a ruined hamlet near Nothbehem.
• The player can now revisit Alistair's dialogue by talking to him again, in case anything was missed the first time.
• Wolves are faster, and black wolves are now harder to kill.
• The dialogue in the opening scene has been revised.
• Fixed being able to walk past the ancient walls.
• Fixed Arturo walking away from you during conversation.
• The Alonso ruins scene has been revised.
• Fixed a bug where the scroll of helping would open in the wrong place.

This is the most playable and user-friendly version yet. Here's a screenshot of the new context-sensitive "hint scroll":

Please consider downloading and playing "Cypress"; the full quest is there for you to enjoy, and I would love to hear any feedback you might have. And as always, please report any bugs or issues with the game to me at dto@blocky.io

Cypress Windows 1.2

Cypress Linux 1.2

Cypress Mac 1.1

Special thanks to the fans who are keeping this project alive with their enthusiasm, encouragement, and feedback!

--David