Bandai Namco have announced that the promised major update for Shadow Labyrinth has been released, which addresses a number of issues that players have raised about the game so far.

The update completely overhauls the difficulty and balance of the game, ensuring a better fit for players, it also adds in the Explorer Mode, for those who want a more leisurely pace. Don’t misunderstand you will still have to deal with the games many enemies, but you now have more attack power and the Tenacity Boost feature which gives players an adjustable level of more power after unsuccessful attempts.

For those who want to keep the experience they have been enjoying already, the new Veteran Mode does that, but if you find that something is getting in the way of your progressing, you can freely swap to the newer mode and back again at any time.

The patch also introduces several quality-of-life updates including improvements to the game’s fast-travel system and major play control updates to Mini-PUCK mode to make navigating through MAZE and platforming sections more intuitive for players.

The update is rolling out now for PC, PlayStation and Xbox, but Nintendo players will have to wait a little longer, how long is unknown as there is no date at this time.

Check out the trailer below to see most of the updates in action, with the full notes below that.

Here are the updates full patch notes:

Adjustments

Addition of Explorer Mode
- This mode significantly lowers the difficulty of combat and exploration, allowing you to better enjoy the story and world
- The existing mode, which was playable upon Shadow Labyrinth’s first release, will now be distinguished as "Veteran Mode," allowing you to continue enjoying the intense gameplay you've come to expect!
Switching Method

You can switch modes at any time during save data selection on the title screen or within the Miku Sol (Save/Warp Point) menu

There are no disadvantages to selecting "Explorer Mode," so please enjoy the game in the mode that best suits your playstyle

Main Adjustments in Explorer Mode
- Sword Fighter and GAIA's attack power increased
- Damage taken is reduced
- Contact damage is nullified
- Contact damage occurs when certain enemies are hit, or when enemies perform specific actions such as charging
- Various energy consumption rates are reduced and recovery effects increased
- ESP consumption is reduced
- Increased GAIA energy recovery during predation (consuming foes)
- GAIA Energy automatically recovers while in Sword Fighter phase
- Increased ESP recovery speed while crouching
- Increased recovery speed after ESP reaches 0
Athletic Recovery Support
- In certain areas with particularly high athletic (platforming) difficulty, failing three times in a row will cause a warp point to appear, allowing you to skip that specific challenging athletic area
"Tenacity Boost" becomes available
- "Tenacity Boost" further increases attack power!
- When "Tenacity Boost" is ON, the Sword Fighter's cloak turns red, and attack power gradually increases each time you die
- Players can toggle Tenacity Boost ON/OFF and adjust its level at any time via Miku Sol (Save/Warp Point)

MAZE difficulty adjustments
- Including boss weakening, MAZE stage adjustments, and changes to item placement within MAZE.

※The following adjustments apply to both Explorer Mode & Veteran Mode

Adjustments to Miku Sol (Save/Warp Points)

Significantly increased the number of Miku Sol (Save/Warp Points) and Simple Miku Sol (Save Points)
- Additionally, some Simple Miku Sol have been replaced with Miku Sol that allow warping, greatly improving player convenience
- Added Mode Change/Settings to Miku Sol Menu
  You can now switch between Explorer Mode and Veteran Mode at any time from the Miku Sol menu.
  Additionally, you can now toggle "Tenacity Boost" ON/OFF and set its level.
- HP tanks now recover even in Simple Miku Sol
MAZE Adjustments

Adjusted MAZE clear rewards
- The reward score required to clear MAZE has been reduced, making it easier to obtain
- Additionally, Ora can now be obtained when the score gauge is at maximum, or when the reward acquisition score is reached even if the reward has already been obtained
- Maximum bonus fruit acquisition increased from 100 to 200
If you fail the MAZE for Red Bragza: Terrias-Gilba, Blue Bragza: Terrias-Juno, Orange Bragza: Terrias-Valou, or Pink Bragza: Terrias-Boz Rag, players can choose to skip it
Added save/load support for the retry function from MAZE boss battles!
MAZE that have progressed to the boss battle can now resume from the boss battle after restarting the game
Mini PUCK Play Control Adjustments

Added operation tutorial stages within Miku Sol's menu, certain MAZE, and after some events
Added a dedicated button for neutral jump (jump without directional input). This reduces the chance of accidental inputs
Added diagonal forward-up stick input to the normal jump button. Inputting the stick diagonally forward-up and jumping now follows the same trajectory as a neutral jump, making the controls more intuitive
Improved mid-air control after jumping

Other Adjustments

If defeated during the final battle against the last boss, you can now retry from the final battle!
Reduced consumption and increased recovery of various energy sources
- No ESP consumption when Devour as the Sword Fighter
- Reduction in ESP consumption during evasive maneuvers
- Increased GAIA energy recovery during Devour (Recovery also slightly increased in Veteran Mode)

Fixes

Fixed an issue where the game could crash during the staff roll. (Nintendo Switch version only)
Fixed an issue where, in certain MAZE, the speed when ejected from a booster slowed down at high refresh rates. (Steam version only)
Fixed an issue where ESP would not naturally recover and the menu could not be opened after dying under specific conditions
Other minor fixes