If you’re into roguelike deck builder’s and you haven’t played Across the Obelisk, now is one of the best times to check it out. Despite releasing in 2021, Across the Obelisk has just received its biggest content patch yet and has recently become available on all platforms. Along with the latest content patch that includes a completely new game mode, and a whole host of changes including damage calculation changes, a new curse, and increased madness levels. This patch was released yesterday but today also marks the release date of the latest DLC, Shores of Sahti, along with a DLC pack that includes several new characters. Let’s dig into it.
You love to see ongoing support for older games and while four years isn’t a long time, in the gaming world, it might as well be ancient. Patch 1.4 for Across the Obelisk released in May of 2024 and was not very substantial. The majority of changes for patch 1.4 were related to a reworking of the game’s sound system, full translations for German and French, new weekly challenges, bug fixes and card changes. Very important work but not particularly sexy for the average gamer. Patch 1.5 is substantially different in content and quality of life.
A new game mode is usually pretty exciting to see, especially in a roguelike game. Things like weekly challenges are par for the course but Singularity mode seems fairly interesting. While the majority of new players will be busy with Adventure mode, seasoned Obelisk crossers might be tired of simply doing weekly challenges or obelisk challenges, a completely randomized mode. Singularity mode locks heroes to a single copy of any playable card, upgraded cards as rewards become more common, but altar upgrades are limited and divination is completely disabled. A needed game rework for Across the Obelisk’s repertoire.
Along with the new game mode comes the release of the new DLC Shores of Sahti and two new multiclass characters, Sigrun the Valkyrie, and Bernard the Alchemist. Shores of Sahti is a tropical map that features ocean and pirate-themed enemies. According to the steam page the map features three factions wrestling for control over the islands including the navy, the greedy Company of Overseas Trade, and pirates. Players will get to choose which group to side with and fight up to 20 new enemies, three champion enemies, and three new bosses. The DLC comes with 35 new items and two new pets, Matey the Parrot and Mimy the Mimic Chest. My favorite feature of Across the Obelisk is that if you’re playing co-op, only one person needs the DLC for everyone to play it.
New DLC, a new game mode for free, what more could you ask for? Well, apparently the fun doesn’t stop there. Along with the 35 new items in the DLC the 1.5 patch comes with 6 new items added to the base game and 8 new cards. These additions come with the advent of some damage calculation changes, unifying the damage when there are two sources of damage of the same type. The full changes are an interesting read as it addresses what must have been a consistent complaint made by the playerbase, or at least a point of confusion. The changes look to be a welcome change that should make determining which card to use a little easier on the fly.
Why Now Is the Best Time to Play Across the Obelisk
More changes in the 1.5 patch include a new curse called Rust that modifies existing auras or curses. Along with rust there are improved perk tooltips, and a whole host of card changes and bug fixes. My favorite line item in the patch notes is, “Fixed all of the reported bugs,” which seems like an impossibility for anyone who’s worked in software development but good on them. Do you play Across the Obelisk? Has this patch piqued your interest? You can see a full list of patch notes here and if you’re interested, check out the steam page here.
