Hello everyone, dev here! Apologies for the delay, but the update for Elite Exorcist Miko's next Extra Stage is now available! Hoshimachi Suisei Alter arrives as a new Extra Boss, an optional, higher-difficulty battle intended for players looking to put their skills to the test! Check out the video below for a preview of what to expect (or don't, if you prefer to go in blind)!

The new Extra Stage where you'll find her comes with a few differences compared to the existing Extra Stage. First off, the unlock requirements! You won't need to obtain a crown this time, but there is a different test you'll need to overcome: defeat the standard Suisei boss within 1 minute! This can be done in either a Main Expedition or Boss Rush. Make good use of Combo and heavy-hitting Scrolls to blaze through the fight lightning-fast!

Once this is achieved, Suisei will talk to you upon returning to the Shrine, and give you a new Key Item, the Stellar Engine! Equipping this item will grant you access to the new Extra Stage, Midnight Highway!

The item also introduces the stage's unique mechanic: in exchange for completely disabling the use of Scrolls, your Energy recharge rate will increase drastically as long as you have Heat to spare! Without your Scrolls to rely on to deal damage or get out of tough spots, you'll need to make the most of your 3 combat Styles' unique abilities, which are now much easier to use thanks to your fast Energy recovery! Dash through danger, erase tight bullet formations, and keep up the pressure to fight your way to victory!

Once it's unlocked, you can also bring the Stellar Engine with you on Main Expeditions! Give it a try for a different gameplay experience!

Along with the new Extra Stage, a button exclusive to Extra Stages has been added to the Pause menu and Expedition End screen that allows you to restart the stage instantly, without needing to repeat Amezon Delivery!

This update also comes with other changes, including the usual bug fixes and balance adjustments. One major change is a rework of the rewards system! Material rewards are no longer generated upon completing a stage. Instead, they'll drop from enemies and bosses as objects to pick up! The purpose of this change is to make material acquisition less ambiguous. Some existing equipment related to obtaining materials have also been updated alongside this change.

Check out the patch notes for more detailed information on all changes and additions!

The next update will be another major content update, adding a new stage, Stage 3C and several bosses to complete the 3rd stage tier and advance the main story! Of course, new equipment items will be added as well! I don't have much to reveal or a release date estimate for this update just yet, but I'll be giving more information as completion progresses!

There probably won't be major system changes in the next update, but I'm currently brainstorming a rework of the Amezon Delivery system that grants additional deliveries based on attaining certain skill-based goals/bonuses during gameplay. This would likely be implemented with the 4th stage tier.

But for now, if you're up for a challenge, do give the new Extra Stage a try! A lot of thought went into designing this boss battle, so I hope you enjoy!