Hellish Quart — patch notes and updates
Stored observation / content update:
Dated developer announcements recorded from Steam. Open the source for the complete update.
| Update | Date | Excerpt / source |
|---|---|---|
| Update 2026.10.30.2 (Easy Mode!) | 2026-10-30 | This update makes the first 3 difficulty tiers way more forgiving. Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.10.30.2 FIX: - Jan, Barabasz: fixed Fwd, Y, Y attack triggering wrong guard - Laszlo: fixed a legacy system that lowered his damage a bit too much with stamina loss - Laszlo: fixed variables on some legacy animations - Boss arena: fog particles no longer cast shadows TWEAK: - All characters: way easier AI on first two difficulties - Arcade Mode: bigger chance on easier AI on first three difficulties - Boss Fight: easier on first three difficulties - Boss Fight: you can repeat only the final phase on first three difficulties, without having to go |
| Fix 2026.10.28.2 (Broken Ragdolls Fix) | 2026-10-28 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.10.28.2 FIX: - fixed a game breaking bug where pausing could cause active ragdolls to disable, while animations kept playing (happened in the Story Mode especially) - Jakub: Fixed missing Writable flag in the mesh TWEAK: - refactoring of the physics system vs. rendering system: the game should now work smooth regardless of fps and monitor refresh rate (if equal or above 60 fps) - Jacek: (LFF) X, Y attack - adjusted the combo so the sword does not get entangled - Bossfight: easier on lower difficulties |
| Update 2026.10.26.0 | 2026-10-26 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.10.26.0 FIX: - Character selection screen: fixed a bug in 2-player mode - Jacek: added the missing Win camera - turned off the DoF effect in FPP postprocessing in certain Arenas - added interpolation of the physics rigid bodies in Fixed Simulation Mode to smoothen out the motion, if the physics clock desyncs with your monitor refresh rate - Simulation Update Mode is now set to Fixed by default (but the option to turn it to FPS dependant remains). Turns out it can break the physics sim in some circumstances. You can still use it if you wish, but if the fighters start to look "dampened", go to Options and switch t |
| Update 2026.10.22.0 | 2026-10-23 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.10.22.0 NEW: - Simulation Mode has been changed from Fixed Update to framerate dependant by default, and the option to change it back has been added to Game Options. This should result in smooth animation, even if your monitor doesn't update exactly at the moment of fixed physics update (for example game is set to 60 fps, but your monitor refreshes at 72 Hz). However it can break the game if your framerate is not stable for any reason. If so, you can change it back to fixed update in Options. FIX: - numerous small fixes Next: First chapters of the Part 2 of the Main Story coming very soon NOTE: If, after an upda |
| Update 2026.10.02.0 | 2026-10-02 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.10.02.0 TWEAK: - Updated FSR to v 3.1 - Replaced native occlusion screen effect with deferred occlusion (for better small soft shadows) - Changed lighting in some Arenas Please give it a few days for me to tweak and optimise FSR3 settings for various platforms and figure out the defaults. You can always adjust or turn it off in Options too. |
| Smal update 2026.09.20.0 | 2026-09-20 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.09.20.0 FIX: - Maryna: fixed Back + X attack - Yendrek: a bit more stable axe collisions (trying to reduce jitter in impossible to fulfill physics collision scenarios) - fixed a problem with leg guards not initiating right after you attacked TWEAK: - Yendrek: added IK for Axe Pull mechanic, should be way more reliable now - tweaked bodypart colliders to better fit the shiluettes - Barabasz: a bit slower B attack |
| Small update 2026.09.16.1 | 2026-09-17 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.09.16.1 FIX: - Tarnavski: better guard 1 - Tarnavski: thicker "More Animation" weapon collider - Gedeon: Fixed "More Animation" weapon collider - fixed a bug where you could still damage the opponent with full force if you canceled your attack the moment he successfully parried, but your blade touched him anyway - Hasan: in More Animation mode, his saber is no longer colliding with his body. This is because in this mode sword colliders are much thicker than in More Physics mode and tend to get stuck. - Hasan: fixed left hand IK during the Guardcrusher attack - Yendrek: fixed a compression bug in Walk Bwd animati |
| Update 2026.07.03.0 | 2026-07-03 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.07.03.0 TWEAK: - Weapons have more stability (less "flimsy") - A bit larger global collision detection offset to ensure thin blades that move fast will collide at 60fps NEW: - Jakub: Added FakeSteel saber scabbard to LARP mode |
| Update 2026.07.01.0 | 2026-07-01 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.07.01.0 FIX: - Upgraded all FSMs in the project to newest Playmaker version (should not affect the final build, but there is a small risk it introduced bugs) TWEAKS: - dynamic muscles tweaks - vsync on is now default |
| Update 2026.06.30.0 | 2026-06-30 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.06.30.0 NEW: - New names for Stable and Precise collision modes. Stable is now "More Animation", and Precise is now "More Physics" - When the game starts for the first time, it will ask if you prefer more ragdoll physics or more "hard" animation in your gameplay. This will configure your initial Options. You can change it afterwards in Gameplay Options. TWEAK: - Isabella, Sava, Samuel Boss: dynamic muscles tweaks - Jakub: goes 100% animation for a split second in the moment of drawing the saber (so the physics doesn't influence blade position when drawing) FIX: - fixed a bug with swapping colliders for different |
| New Character: Jakub | 2026-06-29 | New Character: Jakub SienieńskiJakub Sienieński joins the roster of Hellish Quart.Jakub fights with a saber and smallsword, but his greatest weapon is not pure fencing technique. It is surprise.He can begin a duel with his weapons still sheathed, waiting for the right moment to strike. From there, he can draw and cut with his saber in one lightning-fast motion, catching his opponent off guard before the fight has even properly begun.And if the duel does not go his way, Jakub has another option.When necessary, he can abandon the traditional saber and switch to a smallsword - a fashionable new weapon from France, and one his opponent may not be |
| Update 2026.06.26.2 | 2026-06-26 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.06.26.2FIX:- Jakub: fixed a bug where he had to wait for the "take out smallsword" animation to end before he could start walking again- Jacek: fixed regression: too weak dynamic muscles- Collisions Type: Stable option: fixed all regressions, it now works like the "old" system, you can change to Stable if you don't want physics to alter the animations much.- Jan, Barabasz: tweaked active frames of certain animations to better fit the dynamic muscles systemTWEAK:- Hasan, Dynis, Maryna: muscle tweaksNote: Dynamic Muscles and / or Precise collisions can all be turned off or changed in Options, if you prefer your ga |
| Update 2026.06.26.0 - new character | 2026-06-25 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.06.26.0 NEW: - new character: Jakub (saber and smallsword) - reminder that you can skip a cutscene by pressing B on a gamepad (or H on keyboard) is now in every cutscene, not just the first few (you could always skip, but now it reminds you that every time) FIX: - Fixed regression: rebaked broken lighting on certain levels - fixed a bug with weapon drops spawning with incorrect rotation - rapiers deal modified damage to Boss armor depending on the hit location, just like they do to unarmored body parts - you can now skip Bossfight cutscenes also with B, and not only with Start - various other small fixes TWEAKS: |
| Update 2026.05.28.0 | 2026-05-28 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.05.28.0 TWEAK: - Vsync is no longer on by default - Samuel: a bit faster attack animations FIX: - cleaned up after the hotfix Note: If you experienced an fps drop after the unfortunate update from a week ago, please reset the Graphics Settings in the Options menu, or turn off Vsync. Again, I am very sorry for the game-breaking bug introduced in the previous update. The issue happened only when launching the game without an existing save file, so it slipped through my testing. That was my mistake, and I take full responsibility for it. Unfortunately, on the day of the update I had a family emergency and went stra |
| HOTFIX - Menu Bug Fixed | 2026-05-27 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.05.27.0FIX:- Fixed a game-breaking bug in the Main Menu that prevented launching the game if no save game file was presentThis one is totally on me. The bug slipped through testing somehow. My apologies to everyone. The game works normally now. |
| Small Update 2026.05.20.0 | 2026-05-20 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.05.20.0 NEW: - Hellish Quart will warn you if your settings cause unstable fps, which usually breaks physics. FIX: - numerous small fixes and tweaks TWEAK: - dynamic muscles tweaks Currently working on the new character (wip) essential for completing the Story Mode. |
| Small update 2026.05.01.0 | 2026-05-01 | Update 2026.05.01.0 TWEAK: - various small tweaks Next: New character in progress, first episodes of the second half of the cinematic story mode, new arena. |
| Update 2026.03.23.0 | 2026-03-23 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.03.23.0 FIX: - Advanced gore: disabled for characters using skins, which don't have a full set of custom gore wounds - Father Zera: fixed a bad transition in (RFF) Right + 1, 2 combo - Father Zera: more stable active ragdoll - Most characters: more stable active ragdoll - a bit smoother FPP camera - Blood decals on the head no longer spawn in FPP in Player character - Brothel Arena: fixed UV on some models - Gallows Arena: fixed postprocessing - Tutorial: fixed regression - last step NEW: - Tarnavski: new advanced gore wounds TWEAK: - thinner weapon colliders |
| Update 2026.03.12.0 | 2026-03-12 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.03.12.0 FIX: - LARP mode: fixed some audio and wrong 3d model spawning bugs |
| Update 2026.03.10.0 | 2026-03-10 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.03.10.0 NEW: - LARP weapons mode (foam padded weapons) - Gore system work - strong cuts can cause severed limbs, chopped bones, etc. Work in progress (Tarnavski - upper legs, Isabella - right arm), will be adding characters and body parts as we go. TWEAK: - better physics-animation blending on blade collisions - dynamic muscles tweaks for more stable collisions - better hand guard colliders (if there is a hand guard) - Marie: weapon weight and balance, width of the edge detector, tip detector adjustments - Marie: tweaked blending of some thrust animations for better trajectory - Marie: more attacks are cancelabl |
| Update 2026.02.03.0 | 2026-02-03 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.02.03.0NEW: - New Arena: The GalleyTWEAK: - dynamic muscles tweaks |
| Update 2026.01.09.0 | 2026-01-10 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2026.01.09.0NEW: - New Arena: Water HammersTWEAK: - dynamic muscles tweaksHaving technical problems after this update?Visit the Technical Help page. |
| Update 2025.12.30.0 | 2025-12-30 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2025.12.30.0TWEAK:- dynamic muscles tweaks- Lighting and postprocessing pass on arenasIMPORTANT:If you experience weird behaviour of ragdolls or swords after this update, please go to Options\\Gameplay\\ and reset the settings. Then restart the game.Click here for more technical help. |
| Update 2025.12.19.0 | 2025-12-20 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2025.12.19.0TWEAK:- Yendrek: animation variables, muscles, and physics of the weapon tweaks- default muscle recovery time and max velocity tweaks |
| Update 2025.12.18.0 | 2025-12-18 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2025.12.18.0TWEAK:- Samuel: active frames adjusted for dynamic muscles- Tarnavski: active frames adjusted for dynamic muscles- dynamic muscle script expansion and tweaks |
| Update 2025.12.16.0 | 2025-12-16 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2025.12.16.0TWEAK:- dynamic muscle script expansion and tweaks- Maryna: active frames adjusted for dynamic muscles- Geedeon: active frames adjusted for dynamic muscles- Jan, Barabasz: active frames adjusted for dynamic musclesFIX:- Yendrek: he can no longer hit himself accidentally |
| Update 2025.12.15.0 | 2025-12-15 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2025.12.15.0FIX:- Added a failsafe that should detect if physics is "stuck" and break it by loosening muscles to 0 for a moment, before it lasts more than 2 frames- Left hand weapon or shield characters: left hand integrated to the new muscle system calculations- Sava, Hasan: fixed a bug in the low attack punish moveTWEAK:- Yendrek: rebalanced weapon mass (more top-heavy)- Canceling an attack after being blocked now stiffens the hand muscles faster, allowing for faster guard (but this will turn off if it requires an impossible physics scenario) |
| Update 2025.12.14.0 | 2025-12-14 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2025.12.14.0TWEAK:- Tweaks of the dynamic sword arm muscles script- Physics solver tweaks- Lowered maximum allowed angular sword speed for more stable collisions- Jan, Barabasz AI: fixed a bug where they would constantly cancel and retry attacksFIX:- fixed regression: impact variable bug- Tarnavski: fixed a bug where his sword kept colliding with its own hilt- Jacek: near variants of attack animations adjustments for dynamic muscles- Stable mode: edge detectors improvementsKnown issues:- Slowing down time interferes with Precise mode physics; parts of the models can get stuck momentarily (fix coming soon)- Some attac |
| Update 2025.12.11.0 | 2025-12-11 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2025.12.11.0FIX:- Isabella: fixed trajectories for High Guard Backward cuts- Stable collision mode: brought back raycast hit detection (instead of the new Collision detection) for this mode only, so it works like before the recent changes, if you choose this mode. Remember to also turn off the Dynamic Muscles option if you want the game exactly like it was before. Having technical problems with the game? Visit the Technical Help page. |
| Update 2025.12.09.0 | 2025-12-09 | Hellish Quart pre-alpha v.2025.12.09.0FIX:- Yendrek: adjustment to new collision system and physics tweaking pass- Kalkstein: (RFF) LG + Y - fixed too short active frames- Blade bashed down stagger is now cancelable earlier by simply pressing Back, and not only by dodging back |