Emberward New Release - Full Controller Support, New Towers, and Gameplay Overhaul

Date: February 13, 2026

Emberward, the strategic roguelite tower‑defense adventure where players build twisting mazes with tetromino blocks and deploy unique towers, receives its biggest update yet. The developers have devoted roughly 90 % of the current development cycle to adding full controller support, making the game finally playable from a gamepad for the first time.

What’s New

• Full Controller Support - Complete gamepad compatibility, including a reminder to reset Steam Deck settings if they were altered.
• Five Brand‑New Towers
  • Dynamite Tower (1×1) - Throws sticky explosives that grow stronger as the target moves.
  • Ballista Tower (2×2) - Extremely long range; bolt damage scales with flight distance.
  • Balloon Tower (2×2) - Releases homing balloons that chase enemies and explode on impact.
  • Fort Tower (2×2) - Can be placed without a block and is immune to Malfunction effects.
  • Electro Gate Tower (1×5) - Generates a continuous electric field that attacks passing monsters.
• Save‑System Changes - Playing Endless Mode or the Enigma Sanctum no longer interrupts campaign progress, allowing Daily Challenges without losing map progress.
• Frost Ruins Overhaul
  • Removed the “Sliding Ice Block” mechanic.
  • Added “Frozen Treasures” - hidden ice‑encased loot that can be broken with towers, sometimes opening new paths.
• Hotkey Revamp
  • Game‑speed controls: [Space] (toggle 0.5×/normal), [Z], [X], [C].
  • Character‑skill activation: [R], [F], [V].
  • Updated layout to keep the left hand on WASD while accessing hotkeys.
• New Settings Option - “Show Maximum Path Length” displays the longest path length in the lower‑left corner, useful for achievement hunting.
• New Keyword - “Vulnerable”: Marks enemies that take an extra X % damage for X seconds.

Gameplay Adjustments

The update also brings major gameplay tweaks, including a revised save‑system, a fresh on‑screen path‑length display, and the addition of the “Vulnerable” keyword, which adds another strategic layer when planning tower placements and attacks.

Bug Fixes

• Resolved path‑finding conflicts when Blackhole Tower and Stun effects triggered simultaneously.
• Fixed Chaos Transmuter selecting the wrong tower to transform in Endless Mode.
• Corrected a path‑blocking issue that could occur during tower upgrades.
• Addressed “Build X Towers” quests erroneously selecting towers with build limits.
• Fixed copied character‑skill buffs consuming usage counts while the Echo Crystal was equipped.
• Ensured Scrap Master receives full experience and levels up correctly at stage end.
• Fixed Necromancer‑summoned Skeletons ignoring walls and spawning on the opposite side.
• Fixed the “Mute In Background” option not persisting when switching scenes.

For a full list of changes and further details, visit the official announcement:

https://steamcommunity.com/games/2459550/announcements/detail/490464385050870522