Release: Escape from the Master's Lair Alpha 0.5!

[Kevin Wells]

I've released a much-improved version of Escape today for Windows and Linux.

As always, downloads, forums, etc. can be found on the game's official site here:

http://cheeseandbacon.org/escape/

If you just want to download the game, or check out the source via Mercurial, you can go straight to the Google Code page located here:

http://code.google.com/p/escape-from-the-masters-lair/

The game is now officially feature-frozen for the foreseeable future. This version actually adds a few little features here and there (such as a player highlighting option). Bugfixes and balance improvements are now the primary focus.

This release also sees the first complete version of the guidebook, and instructional manual that should help players get started with the game. The guidebook also has all of the controls laid out and explained.

Highlights of this release:

* Fixed a few major problems with the template system. Items will now have proper attributes.
* Completely changed balance for armor and weapon stats.
* Significantly accelerated leveling.
* Player highlighting feature, for when you just can't figure out who you are in life.
* Health bars are now easier to see. 
* Darkness and dark spawning monsters are now more dangerous than ever!