White Knuckle game gets free DLC
The early-access indie horror game White Knuckle just received a massive free content update, titled “The Nest.” White Knuckle is a first-person roguelite speed-climbing game that sees the player ascend through SUB-STRUCTURE 17, a decaying concrete tower that stretches miles below ground. But something else is down there too, oozing from the depths, and it won’t let up in its pursuit. Players must use precision movement and momentum mechanics in order to climb, evade, and fight in order to survive. Fast-reflexes are a necessity, as knowing what item or ledge to grab and when will mean the difference between life and death.
“The Nest” was shadowdropped by the developers at Dark Machine Games and their publisher DreadXP with a new trailer showcasing the update’s significant gameplay expansion and new explorable area. This fifth region is located within Habitation Blue’s containment sector, where all of the remaining creatures who were once subject to experimentation are housed. That means new monsters galore, such as Barnacle Zombies (Barnacle-infused corpses), Tick Roaches, Grub Ants, and Spider Swarmers. “The Nest” also features the return of The Mass, a flesh-absorbing entity discovered by the facility’s researchers. The Mass can now take on a new form called The Hunter, described as “an unsettling new enemy that can be slowed, but not stopped.”
Credit: Dark Machine Games
The Nest includes four new sub-regions. In Interlude 4: Symbiosis, “free the Grub Mother from The Mass, trapped in an energy field by the sector’s scientists before the fall of Habitation Blue.” The Infested Labs are the research sector of Habitation Blue, now overrun with the flora and fauna that were once studied there. The Hot Zone used to be a secure containment sector, but creatures locked up there that had invaded Habitation Blue now roam free. Finally, the Feeding Trough is where hordes of creatures and The Mass feast, located in shafts that connect to the Power Station. Each trek through The Nest consists of two sub-regions per run: either the Infested Labs or the Hot Zone, followed by the Feeding Trough. If players can manage to beat all of this, then they will unlock an all-new Endless Mode.
The update also introduces new Denizens. One is the previously-mentioned Grub Mother, “a psionic guardian of familiar friends.” Depending on the player’s actions, she can either be a powerful ally or a wrathful foe. There’s also The Roach Merchant, a manager of both vending machines and his own Bazaar. Players can barter with him for items and unique new tools that will help them in their journey.
New mechanics like door latches and Signal Orchids give the player fresh ways to gain the upper hand. Door latches allow doors to be manually closed, slowing down any monsters chasing the player. Signal Orchids are a continuously-growing plant that the player can grip onto, riding it to wherever it takes them.
Several new items and perks added in this update will also be of use, for example, the Handgun which grants players the ability to snipe enemies from a safe distance. Another is the Deep Pockets perk, which lets players convert their pockets into pouches that can fit stacked items.
Lastly, “The Nest” update is rounded out by the implementation of several dozen fixes, enhancements, balance changes, and cosmetics. With Roach Hands, players can choose from a variety of colors and opacities. Meanwhile, Stone Hands give the player four custom palette types and more cosmetic options.
White Knuckle is in early access until 2027, and can be purchased on Steam for $14.99. “The Nest” update is out now for free.
