Keep in mind my final opinion is subject to change after the update goes live and I have more time to test these changes. I'm pretty impressed with this playtest and it might become my favourite update of the bunch, fixing the thing everyone was begging to fix - the axes. Let's start with them first.

Axe Combat (a.k.a Perpurple's Ultimate Weapon that surpasses Metal Gear)

• Directional axes are back! If you're on the ground and someone is in the air or below you, aiming your mouse up and down actually matters in when and where you swing. Amazing change giving a bit of flavor and depth.

• Axes received some pretty visuals. Each swing has been given a cartoony wind swoosh to each axe swing. It makes it not only more stylish, but it gives much needed visual clarity. Now you know how you and your opponent swings. In short, it may lead to more consistent hits and less bullshit ones. EDIT: The visuals actually change depending on the type of axe you crafted! Same with arrows. This will help make decisions easier. If you see red swooshes, stay out of the way if you don't want to receive 175 damage worth of axe damage.

• Axes swing and react to your presses faster. This might be a controversial change to some, but I adore this one the most. The axes feel speedier and more impactful. What it also means is that there is less room for error, meaning parrying actually takes good reaction times and prediction and it's not something you can do over and over again as before. However this also means high-skill players will pwn players much faster inside cabins. Combine that with the fancy visuals and the fights are super-stylish and fun to watch. Making stuff faster is going to be a theme in this update.

Other Gameplay / UI Stuff

• Stamina Bar is now WAY BIGGER There ya have it folks, Runner's Cloak and Berserker Arrows finally give other options a chance. The sprint speed is of course the same, however you can still do the same amount of dodges. Earlier mentioned options are now either useless or much more situational in either escapes or for more jumps. With the reworked axes, I can see jumps actually being a viable dodging strategy (except vs arrows). The entire theme of this update seems to be making the gameplay faster, fluid and more dynamic, especially early game, which I'm very happy about. Not entirely sure about this change though. Might be a bit overboard, but it might be justified now that we have the new axe changes.

• Four New Skins here and here They kinda reminds me of Dead Space. I like them, better than most. Mostly because they're not as flashy and seem a bit more versatile when mixing with other clothing.

• New VS AI mode. For now there is only Easy difficulty, but that's just enough for the newcomers and as a mode to cool off after a salty game.

• A new Show Director Power - Lava Floor I haven't actually played with it in game, so I can't really criticise it. I would've tested it if Director Unleashed still gave you all the powers, but I guess they removed that. EDIT: I read the survey and got the name of the SD power. Judging by the name alone, you can't stay on the ground and need to go into cabins or climb props to survive. Hopefully it won't deal a lot of damage, otherwise it will be another difficulty increaser like Gravity Storm.

Minor Stuff I Appreciate but Noone Gives a Shit About

• Footsteps are more defined and realistic. They're louder for sure, but that also means tracking other people without hints, holomaps, harvest rings and footprints lying around is actually a bit more viable if you're near someone.

• More hints for new players during gameplay. Let me summarise this point easy with this quote that appears when you attack a tree: "This tree is too big! Find something smaller!" Love it.

• Each kill is also accompanied by a cheering crowd. It's minor. Some people might find it annoying, I find it charming. It kinda sells me on the idea that it's actually a Hunger Games style show, like it should be. I'm all for some world building, no matter how minor.

• In-Game Notifications got some font and text adjustments. Text like "New Electronic Available" look less flat, more clear and just more polished.

And there ya have it! I already love this update and it isn't even out yet. Hope it delivers!