The release of alpha 0.5 marks the end of the alpha stage for KC:D and it has certainly has been one hell of an experience. I decided to take some time, collect my thoughts and share my experiences.
Before Alpha 0.1 released I was not yet a forum moderator, nor was I aware of the incredibly good times that were headed my way.
0.1
Straight out the gate Alpha 0.1 hit the ground running (literally there was a seriously needed adjustment to movement speed). I was highly impressed, for being very little more then a walking simulator, the world both visually and audibly blew my mind I genuinely had not felt this immersed in a video game world ever.
I found myself inspecting a mulch/waste pile for a solid 10 minutes in awe of how realistic some of the objects are. The rotting apples and the various stages of decay present was incredible, so much detail to such a non essential element was compelling for sure.
0.2 20hrs played
By the time Alpha 0.2 released I had logged 20 hrs. of 0.1 play (with little content this is evidence of the quality of world WH has created). Needless to say I was already hooked then they gave us archery and alchemy mechanics.
The complexity of the alchemy system was truly awe inspiring. The only words I had were FUCKING FINALLY! After being exposed to countless crafting and cooking mechanics from many other titles, I was truly impressed at he quality and depth of the mechanic. To feel as if your actions have a direct result on world in which you are playing is wonderful thing.
The first build of the archery system was enjoyable but also frustrating. Zero cross hairs and an unsteady hand made hitting your target difficult enough then you had to manage your stamina complicating it further. With practice I soon dominated the archery range and soon bankrupted the poor master archer of Samopesh.
One last thing all hail JERRY LORD POOPBUTT!
0.3 40hrs. played
With the release of alpha 0.3 we got a new quest, some placeholder voice overs, and the lock picking mechanic. As most I was not a huge fan of the voice overs but was completely aware that they are temporary and better voice overs would be coming.
I really like the simple lock picking system really fits with the time period I am eager to see the final state when we can force doors open.
There was also a new clothing styles and additional tweaks to NPC appearances that brought some needed variety to the alpha experience.
0.4 60hrs. played
THE COMBAT UPDATE! 0.4 was the most anticipated update second only to the upcoming beta. Oh how we lusted for this mechanic, especially after teasing ourselves with the bastard sword console command in 0.1.
I was so eager to test combat out that I ignored the additional quests and the new expansion of the map into Merhojed and went start to the encampment.
I spent the first 30 mins in the arena getting beat over and over by the lowest tier fighter and soon realized, maybe doing the Tutorial wouldn’t be a bad idea eh?
After a few trial runs through the tutorial i then began taking on the arena fighters. Again getting my ass handed to me several times I began growing accustomed tho the combat and slowly but surly began to master it. Not before to long I had beaten all three combatants and head off into the woods to seek out the Cuman scum.
As I trekked through the woods I thought to myself, “Cumans they don’t know what they got coming, gonna totally pwn these plebs”. After reloading and dying against the Cumans I don’t know like to many times to not to rage quit, I finally beat them and cut from them their ears as proof of my victory!
The learning curve is real - 
0.5 80 hrs. played
With 0.5 release we got our first taste of the crime system and the ability to Properly go on a rampage and freely attack! We also got to see the first addition of the survival mechanics sleep and hunger, which personally didn’t come into play much until I spent some time paying for my misdeeds.
The adaptive music brings so much to the experience while retaining its subtly, between this and the effects of the global illumination the immense draw to the world I felt in 0.1 only increased and has continued to make me eager to see this game develop.
After 116 Hrs. logged and few years of interacting with the developers and the community I must say this has truly been a wonderful experience. I have learned a great deal about medieval history that I may have never known because of the continued misrepresentation in the mainstream media.
I have made some good friends from across the world, and I have a renewed faith in the gaming industry and its potentially to move forward both technology and artistically.
So to wrap this ultimate page stretching post I would to say Thank you, not only to WH but all of you who have been apart of this community following along and supporting this campaign, though our journey is not at its end I feel the great milestones that have been achieved are worth recognizing and celebrating!
-McWonderBeast
BETA HYPE
