With IfComp 2021 over, it's time for an update to 4x4 Archipelago, based on all the feedback I got during the competition. Thanks to everyone who played and commented on my game!

V 1.1 is mostly a balancing update with some bugfixes. I plan to continue developing the game - significant content updates should drop in 2022.

Detailed changelog:

Balancing changes:

- In the Treasure of the Four Captains main quest, Captain Flynn will now only appear after you've gained 5 Renown and convinced the Old Sailor to help you (in addition to all the other requirements). This is to balance the Four Captain quest with the other two main quests, which at one point require gaining 5 Renown. Previously in the Four Captains quest you could skip talking to the Sailor if you knew where the map pieces appeared.

- “Mystic” allies are slightly boosted – they have increased attack bonus and damage, and use their special skills slightly more often.

- Bottled Explosion base price increased from 500 to 1000 silver.

- Harpies have a slightly lower chance of dropping Bottled Explosions upon defeat.

- Mercenary Emblem base price reduced from 3000 to 2000 silver.

- Physical Shield Potion and Magic Shield Potion base price reduced from 1000 to 500 silver.

- Allies now gain a damage bonus to all attacks and status damage inflicted, equal to the player's Charisma level. Charisma 2 also grants allies a +1 attack bonus.

- Changes to gathering stories at the inns (Charisma special activity): four of the stories now require Charisma 2. Increased reward for collecting all stories – the player now gains 500 EXP in addition to all the other rewards.

- Wandering merchants now offer additional items for sale to characters with Trading 2.

- Old Tamer's quests now grant the player EXP [100/200/400].

New content:

- Heavy crossbow – a new non-legendary ranged weapon, can be bought at the Great Market. Deals 4-11 damage.

- Stone Skin – a new level 2 spell, can be learned at the Academy. Grants a Damage Reduction bonus equal to 2 + 1/2 Spellpower (rounded up) for 6 turns. Cost: 14 MP.

Other changes and fixes:

- Once you've talked to the Enchanter/Witch/Old Sailor in connection with the main quest, the name of the island where they live is mentioned in the Main Quest section of the Journal.

- If you have 7 or more Renown, you no longer have the option to pay the wandering minstrels for composing a song about you, they will only do it for free.

- Some enemy attack descriptions changed, to avoid situations when the game stated “the enemy hits you, but misses” (“hits you” changed to something else).

- Changed the message for the player's attack missing when the enemy is stunned – you will no longer see a stunned enemy “evade” or “block” the attack. (Now with a stunned enemy the message always just states “you miss”.)