Friday, 27 June 2025: RocketBrush Games has released the first major update for the Ways of Alchemy demo, introducing a new neighbor NPC, completely reworked hunger mechanics and significant quality-of-life improvements. The update addresses community feedback while expanding the medieval alchemy simulation with fresh content and streamlined gameplay.
About Ways of Alchemy
Ways of Alchemy is a medieval card game and alchemist simulator that combines potion crafting, business management and character progression into a strategic journey from outcast to master alchemist with multiple paths to power. Players begin as aspiring alchemists with nothing but a humble shack and basic knowledge, forging their path in a medieval world where growing power attracts both opportunity and unwanted attention.
What's New in the Update
This major update brings several key improvements based on community feedback. A new neighbor NPC now visits players with varied events, gifts and challenges that require alchemical solutions, adding fresh social dynamics to the strategic progression system. Players also receive a starting artifact that allows completion of the first royal order without needing expedition recipes.
The development team has completely overhauled the hunger system following player feedback about time penalties. Characters now experience "exhaustion" that reduces work efficiency rather than blocking progress entirely, maintaining challenge while eliminating frustration.
All potions now feature secondary effects beyond their primary pillar influences, with four new properties available: Dreamer (enhanced sleep recovery), Toughness (scar resistance), Warrior (combat advantages), and Remedy (universal healing capabilities). These additions create more strategic depth in potion brewing and character management.
Enhanced Accessibility and Localization
The update introduces a comprehensive tutorial system covering both basic mechanics and advanced strategies, making the complex alchemical systems more accessible to new players. Market and guild interactions now feature unique descriptive text for every transaction, eliminating guesswork about purchases.
Language support has expanded with AI-powered simplified Chinese translation in the demo, with professional Chinese localization planned for the full release. The English localization has received extensive proofreading and improvements.
Quality of Life Improvements
The update includes several major interface and interaction improvements: enhanced card placement detection, auto-stacking options, improved screen navigation, backup save systems, and clearer process indicators.
Game Features:
- Craft potions your way: experiment freely or follow traditions with a flexible potion-crafting system using over 100 ingredients connected to the 5 pillars of reality
- Grow your estate & influence: work from an inherited shack to a thriving alchemical settlement while managing reputation and avoiding unwanted attention
- Explore regions for treasures: send adventurers on 24 perilous quests across 5 distinct regions to discover over 70 unique treasures and artifacts
- Choose multiple paths to ascension: unlock 15 unique subclasses from pure alchemy to forbidden arts like necromancy, leading to 13 possible endings as you work toward completing the Great Making
Availability and Community Engagement
The updated demo is available now on Steam. Players can experience the new content and improvements while the development team continues toward the full release.
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About RocketBrush Games
RocketBrush Games is an indie developer previously known for The Unliving, a pixelated rogue-lite action RPG with strategic elements. Ways of Alchemy represents the studio's exploration of card-based simulation gaming, combining medieval alchemy themes with deep strategic mechanics.
Media Contact
Artem Shpilsky
Content Marketing Manager
a.shpilsky@rocketbrush.com