Star Citizen Alpha 4.3.0 “Enter The Darkness” introduces expansive Onyx underground PvE facilities, enhanced gameplay features like improved ladders and fighter tuning, new ships, weapons, and cosmetics, alongside numerous bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements. Despite some lingering issues, the patch aims to enrich player experience with fresh content and events, while setting the stage for upcoming updates such as Pirate Week and potential tech previews.
Star Citizen Alpha 4.3.0, titled “Enter The Darkness,” is set to go live within the next few weeks, likely around late August. The patch has been in the PTU phase and is nearly ready, though it has faced several issues including crashes caused by audio bugs and problems with boost and space break freight elevators. Recent PTU updates have addressed many of these issues by adjusting audio fidelity and implementing self-detecting repairs for freight elevators, though some bugs, such as cargo deletion during elevator failures, remain. The patch will not include a wipe beyond the usual refinery jobs and consumables reset.
One of the major highlights of Alpha 4.3.0 is the introduction of Onyx facilities—massive underground PvE-focused dungeons scattered across the moons of the Stanton system. These 120 locations offer repeatable missions and loot opportunities, blending sandbox activities with mission elements. The facilities feature new NPCs, AI turrets, and mission interactions, though PvP can still occur. While cooperative zones were initially planned to launch alongside Onyx facilities, they have been delayed, possibly to 4.3.1. The patch also extends the ongoing Resource Drive event with improvements to freight elevators and mission distribution, aiming to reduce player congestion and improve gameplay flow.
Additional gameplay improvements include the return of ladders with enhanced mechanics, allowing players to lean, jump off, and interact more naturally. Dynamic snow effects have been updated, improving visual and audio immersion in snowy areas like MicroTech. Fighter ships have received extensive tuning, particularly light fighters such as the Gladius Arrow and Mustang series, with clearer roles and improved agility. A new ship, the Krueger L21 Wolf light fighter, will be introduced, featuring unique size four gatling weapons that cannot be swapped out, promising balanced but exciting combat options.
The patch also adds new ships to various shops, including the Trait Gollum, Misk Fortune, and Hornet Ghost Mark 2, as well as new mission loot ships like the Misk Starance Attack and Anvil Terrapin Medic. Cosmetic additions include three new hairstyles and new armor sets like the Gist Sniper and ASD stealth armors. The Vault Zenith laser rifle, a marksman-style weapon, has been introduced but was nerfed after initial PTU testing due to its overpowering performance. Numerous fixes have been applied across elevators, AI, ships, missions, audio, and weather, alongside server meshing and territory configuration updates.
Looking ahead, September will feature Star Citizen’s Pirate Week, focusing on pirate-themed events and missions with a mix of PvE and PvP elements. There is anticipation around the potential introduction of Engineering Version 2 on a tech preview branch during the 4.3 cycle, as well as possible Evocati tests for Vulcan updates and AI improvements. The creator encourages viewers to share their thoughts on Alpha 4.3, participate in monthly giveaways, and support the channel through various platforms. Overall, the patch promises significant content and quality-of-life improvements, with hopes that remaining bugs will be resolved before the official live release.