Fun Dog Studios has rolled out an exciting update titled "The Descent to Averno is Easy" for their early access extraction-survival game, The Forever Winter. This major patch brings a host of significant changes to the game's core mechanics, promising a richer gameplay experience and improved player engagement.

Among the standout features of this update is the revamped water system. No longer consumed in real-time, water now functions as a currency that players use to gain access to various regions within the game. The price to enter these areas fluctuates daily, adding an element of strategy as players must decide when and where to spend their water reserves. Before matches, players can also trade water with their teammates, enhancing team dynamics. To accommodate this new system, the distribution of quest rewards and resources across the map has been recalibrated. As a nod to those who had stockpiled water prior to this update, Fun Dog Studios has promised a special bonus to be delivered in the future.

Combat mechanics have undergone a substantial overhaul, with improvements to recoil, accuracy, weapon sway, and handling. Aiming mechanics and reload animations have been refined, and shotgun balance has been addressed. These enhancements are already in place for several weapons, with plans to extend these improvements to the entire weapon arsenal in upcoming updates.

The enemy AI has been upgraded to offer a more realistic challenge. New detection indicators give players clearer feedback on how close they are to being spotted, and enemies now respond more intelligently to their environment and combat situations. The spawn system has also been reworked to prevent enemies from appearing directly in front of or behind players, promoting fairer and more engaging encounters.

Adding to the variety of gameplay, the update introduces two new features: the "Stairway to Heaven" map and a night mode for the "Frozen Swamp" area, infusing horror-inspired elements to heighten the atmosphere. Other enhancements include an improved looting system, revamped melee combat for enemies, and a fresh batch of quests for players to explore.