The long list of new features and enhancements is also augmented by changes Dark Energy have made in response to data gathered from the Hydrophobia Listening Post where players voted and commented on the features of Hydrophobia Pure.

"We could’ve just ported Hydrophobia Pure over to Steam and PSN after the positive response it received, but we decided to go much further. The community really blew us away with the incredible response to Hydrophobia Pure and the outstanding level of feedback on the listening post, so we wanted to return the favour and ensure we created a bigger and better experience in every possible respect with Hydrophobia Prophecy for Steam and PSN" – Pete Jones

Following the astonishing response to the listening post, Dark Energy has developed a new in-game dev feedback system called Darknet which launches in Hydrophobia Prophecy. Darknet allows players to deliver specific opinions at any point during the game, which are automatically augmented with contextual data about the game state at that time.

“In the modern, interconnected world we think there should be better lines of communication between players and developer, which is exactly what Darknet delivers. Gamers have shown us how much they appreciated being involved in the development process and we have responded. We’re really excited to be bringing Hydrophobia Prophecy and Darknet to PC using Steamworks because the ability to update the game seamlessly and regularly through Steam is a perfect fit for our commitment to acting upon feedback from the community. It also means we can update the Darknet system itself to ensure we continually adapt to serve players who want to participate more effectively.”

Hydrophobia Prophecy will launch on Steam on 9th May and can be pre-purchased for just $10.19 / £7.64 (including 15% pre-purchase discount) with a PSN version to follow.

Featuring all the enhancements of Hydrophobia Pure plus:

Graphics

Enhanced Graphics Engine

• Enhanced environmental lighting throughout the game
• High resolution textures
• Updated video texture work
• Hugely improved particle systems throughout the game
• Depth of field effects implemented
• MLAA anti-aliasing
• Improved lighting and shadowing solutions

HydroEngine Enhancements

HydroEngine Graphical Improvements

• Enhanced character DripMapping technology
• Improved reflection and refraction mapping
• Enhancement underwater visual effects
• Underwater depth of field effect
• Enhanced particle system and improved performance
• New high resolution RippleMap simulation responds to characters and objects

Improved Movement and Animations

• Jump distance more accurate relative to movement speed
• Added stationary jump
• Speed of movement through vents increased and animations improved
• Speed of movement with MAVI increased
• Various animations refined to provide better feedback

Narrative and Backstory

Character and dialogue

• Scoot character remodelled
• Scoot character recast, now played by Oliver Vaquer (GTA: Liberty City Stories, The Warriors, Law & Order)
• Characterisation improved with remastered voice acting and additional scenes
• Mila characters role has been enhanced with compelling new scenes

Storyline enhanced and completed

• Dramatic new plot points shed light on the back story and the Prophecy of Malthus
• New in game video communications enhance the narrative without disrupting gameplay
• Compelling new cutscenes and dramatic twists
• New mechanics designed around the deeper narrative
• Hydro Kinetic powers brought into the main story
• Dramatic new ending completes the story arc

Wading and Swimming

Character Interaction with water

• Reworked Kate’s bracing animation and responsiveness
• Eliminated undesirable situations where the character was swept out of player control
• Increased speed of recovery after being wiped out by water
• Removed invasive reactionary animations after being wiped out by water

Art Direction

Major Environmental Overhaul

• Improved environmental lighting
• Re-designed locations add variety and drama
• Spectacular new environments introduced
• Reworked environmental assets

Audio

Music and SFX

• New and improved music tracks
• Re-mastered audio and improved sound design
• New SFX added to various feedback systems

Puzzles

Puzzle Improvements and Additions

• Improved lock-on effect for electric cable puzzles
• Added mini-puzzles to existing areas
• Exclusive new environments introduce new physics based puzzles
• Ability to manipulate floating objects to solve bouyancy based puzzles
• New narrative based challenges

Combat and Cover Systems

Enhanced Combat System

• Individual bone based enemy lock on feature (depending on difficult setting)
• Improved aim assist functionality
• Dynamic aim reticule adapts to different ammo types and combat behaviour
• Destructable object system reworked for greater feedback and effectiveness
• Ammo distribution refinements
• Greater variety of ammo earlier in the game
• AI enhancements and performance improvements
• Instant ammo collection features eliminates unneccessary button presses
• Rebalanced Sonic Rounds for more effective combat

• Reload times reduced for better combat flow

Cover System Enhancements

• Blind fire functionality added
• Turn corners while in cover and engage in flanking maneuvours
• Cover animation improvements
• More responsive and smooth cover transitions

All new Floating Cover system

• Grab bouyant object to use as dynamic cover in water
• Use floating cover on the surface or during underwater combat

New Climbing Combat system

• Ability to shoot and engage in combat while climbing or hanging

Levels and Game Balance

Level Design Improvements

• Enhanced and redesigned levels
• Exclusive new levels to explore throughout the game
• All new mechanics, puzzles and combat added
• Dramatic new end sequence using Hydro Kinetic abilities
• Decrypting doors sequence shortened
• Tutorial added for hack mini game
• Improved feedback, waypoint design and tutorials
• Better checkpoint design
• Improved difficulty setting design
• Rationalised waypoint system choice allows players to set their preference for how much hand holding they want independently of difficulty setting

Darknet

Contextual Dev Feedback System

• Bring up Dev Feedback from the pause menu at any time to comment on your experience
• Your feedback is uploaded to Dark Energy augmented with contextual information about the gamestate
• Dark Energy will continue to act upon gathered data from the playing community

 GUI and Front End

Menus reworked

• Front end menus re-designed
• In game menus re-designed

 Value

• Pre-purchase the Steam version for just $10.19 / £7.64 (including 15% pre-purchase discount
• New locations, mechanics and narrative elements extend the lifespan of the main game massively