SaltEMike provides a candid reaction to the June Monthly Report and Roadmap Update for Star Citizen, expressing disappointment with minor AI and gameplay updates but optimism about upcoming features in the 4.3 patch, such as cooperative zones and quality-of-life improvements. Despite battling a severe head cold, he offers a thorough critique highlighting both the technical nature of current progress and the potential for more engaging content ahead.
In this video, SaltEMike provides a candid and detailed reaction to the June Monthly Report and Roadmap Update for Star Citizen, all while battling a severe head cold. He starts by reviewing the AI content updates, noting ongoing work on combat AI, wildlines, and civilian behaviors, but expresses a lack of excitement about these changes as they feel minor and not impactful to gameplay. He specifically critiques the recent introduction of the irradiated Valar enemy, describing it as underwhelming and disappointing compared to the high expectations set at CitizenCon, despite some improvements to juvenile and adult Valikar AI.
Moving on to ship development and art, SaltEMike highlights progress on several ships, including the Anvil Paladin, Drake Ironclad, Perseus, and the much-anticipated Drake Kraken, which he personally finds very exciting. He also touches on the addition of new vehicles in various stages of production, some still under wraps. However, much of this content remains technical and behind-the-scenes, with little immediate player impact. He also notes ongoing bug fixes and improvements in mission design, such as enhancements to mission variety and fixes to freight elevators, though some issues persist.
SaltEMike discusses the narrative and core gameplay updates, expressing frustration with the limited size of the core gameplay team and the perceived misallocation of resources, especially around the Apex Valar event. He feels the current gameplay loop is inconsistent and not particularly engaging, despite the devs’ hard work. Technical developments like the item imprint system and instancing service are mentioned, with SaltEMike cautiously optimistic about the potential benefits of instancing if implemented well, although skeptical based on past experiences with the studio.
The Roadmap section brings more optimism, with SaltEMike highlighting several upcoming features in the 4.3 patch, including cooperative zones that emphasize teamwork and puzzle-solving, abandoned underground facilities on moons, and new sniper and light armor specialized for stealth gameplay. He also appreciates quality-of-life improvements such as mission pickups on location and long-overdue ladder improvements, which he stresses are crucial for gameplay. The addition of new hairstyles and ships tied to the Wiccolo NPC faction is also noted as exciting content.
Overall, SaltEMike’s reaction is a mix of disappointment and cautious hope. While the June Monthly Report feels underwhelming and technical, with many fixes and minor updates, the Roadmap for 4.3 offers promising new gameplay features and content that could enhance player experience. Despite his illness, SaltEMike provides a thorough and honest critique, inviting viewers to share their thoughts while expressing a desire for more engaging and polished content in the future.