2027 yields to the original game in continuance, and RPG system was slightly simplified in order to make it unroll itself during gameplay.
The skills system of 2027 now works in this way:
- "Anatomy". This skill combines original "Medicine" and "Low tech". Nobody in their right mind ever upgraded "Low tech" and what about "Medicine" — it was useful only in the early stages of the original game.
- "Electronics". Combines "Computers" and "Electronics" (which you used to improve effectiveness of multitools in the original game). Of course, all of us remember how expensive was the hacking skill and how little it allowed.
- "Engineering" (or "Technical"). Derivative of "Lockpicking", "Environmental Training" (for Thermoptic Camo, Hazmat suits, etc) and new skill called "Robotics", which governes effectiveness of repair tools for robots and weapon upgrade mods.
- "Physique". First of it includes the new skill "Strength", which works just like the augmentation of the same name (amplifying it). Secondly, "Swimming", which in the original game was used only during the mission in Ocean Lab or in the end of the game, when there was simply nothing else to upgrade. It's the cheapest skill.
- "Heavy Arms". Combination of heavy weapon and demolition skills. Be pleased, heavy metal walkthrough style lovers!
The "Pistol" and "Rifle" skills remain unchanged. But for all the skills the amount of points required for each upgrade was revised. Last but not least there is also an innovation called perks (same thing as skills, but could be obtained only when reached a certain level), e.g. "Energy Renegeration" (by the way, any ideas for perks are accepted since there aren't enough of them yet).
The augmentations were also changed. In particular, such useless augmentations as "EMP shield" or "Energy shield" were unified and "Spy Drone" was removed, instead you'll be given a magnificent augmentation called "Time Dilation" (slo-mo).
Water in the Unreal Engine looks pathetic. To change the situation anyhow, Ded added some interesting effects. In particular if you hit water, you will see a trace (made of small air bubbles) of a bullet. Also Ded plans to implement some other typical effects for water, but yet there are still a few technical difficulties to overcome.
Those who played 2027 demo version liked the subject of trains, which was treated completely in it. Currently Ded is working on ships. You'll see this on the new screenshots, which he will show you soon.