Time to perform some necromancy on this thread!
There has been
major rebalancing done. Patch notes can be found here:
http://www.puppygames.net/blog/?p=792and
http://www.puppygames.net/blog/?p=797But here are the highlights:
-Refineries now automatically generate money at a constant rate and no longer need collecting
-Turrets now automatically reload
-Research is now free
-20 more things to research!
-Any remaining powerups on the ground at the end of the level are automatically collected for you
-Crystal scavenging now only 20% of remaining crystal value
-Research no longer contributes to game difficulty
-Bezerk mode used to double weapon damage – now reverted to normal weapon damage as it made their use against bosses simply too efficacious
-More crystals, to pay for more expensive turret upgrades
-Difficulty is now open ended, and gidrah hitpoints and speed effectively now infinite
-Option to not degrade difficulty when level restarted (for hardcore perfectionists only!)
-Your inventory of powerups now contributes to the overall difficulty of a level. Hoard them at your peril!
One would think that with removal of research costs and need to reload/collect things the game would be easier. However, if anything it has gotten harder!
I didn't need the "new level" option for first 9 of earth missions and I managed to collect a huge pile of money. Then on the last earth mission, the boss stage, the boss was at my doorstep in like 2 seconds (not literally), tearing my defenses apart like they were paper. Whoa.
But I find this new system more fun, this way I can save all the money for turrets.
Examples of research additions:
"X-Ray Scanner": Wraiths are now visible, but turret/scanner range (don't remember which one) gets -0,5.
"Extra coffee delivery: an extra delivery of coffee, worth $2500 to the war effort"
"Advanced Battledroids": increase droid speed & damage