Update 0.5.5 - Suspension Rework, Garage Upgrade and Settings Expansion

Not every update needs to be massive to matter. Some updates are about adding big features. Others are about cleaning up weak parts of the project so future work has something stronger to stand on. Update 0.5.5 falls into that second category.

This patch brings a meaningful suspension rework, improvements to the current temporary track visualiser, a much more complete settings and controls interface, a reworked escape menu, and a brand new garage model with better atmosphere and lighting. None of these areas are considered “finished,” but they are now in a much healthier place than before.

Suspension rework

One of the most important changes in this update is the suspension. The old setup had been around for a long time and had reached the point where continuing to build on top of it no longer made much sense. It did its job for earlier development, but it was limiting vehicle feel and making it harder to move toward the kind of handling Project Tank Wars actually needs.

In 0.5.5, that older setup has been replaced with a semi-modern suspension script that is already much closer to the target direction. It is not perfect yet, and it is not being presented as final. There is still a lot of tuning and refinement ahead. But the important part is that the game is no longer relying on a legacy solution that was increasingly fighting the intended feel.

The new suspension is closer to the kind of behavior the game needs: more controlled, more believable, and far more aligned with the long-term handling vision. That does not mean “done.” It means the base is finally moving in the right direction, and future updates will keep improving it further.

Track visualiser improvements

The track visualiser also received attention in this update. To be clear, the current track solution is still temporary. It is not the final proper system that the project will eventually use. That more advanced solution will come later.

What matters for now is that the current visualiser behaves better than before and does not glitch nearly as much. That alone makes a real difference during gameplay and testing. Temporary systems still need to be stable enough to support development, and this update improves that stability.

So while the current track setup is still a stepping stone rather than the destination, it is now a much more acceptable stepping stone. It looks cleaner in motion, breaks immersion less often, and buys room for the proper replacement to be built later without rushing it.

Settings and escape menu overhaul

Another major part of this update is usability. The settings UI has been significantly expanded, and the escape menu has been reworked to better support that direction. This is one of those areas that players notice immediately, even if they never think about it directly. A game feels more serious when it gives people proper control over how they play it.

At the moment, settings are being integrated in controlled batches. That means some systems are already in and usable, while others are still being tested before they are treated as fully live. This slower rollout is intentional. It reduces chaos, makes bugs easier to isolate, and keeps the entire settings pipeline easier to validate properly.

Right now, the implemented batch includes vSync, resolution, refresh rate, full audio settings, grass density, grass distance, and a full rebind and controls section including mouse sensitivity. The refresh rate option is currently a placeholder and does not work yet, but it is already present as part of the broader settings structure.

This matters because settings are not just “extra polish.” They are part of whether the project feels rough and improvised or usable and trustworthy. Giving players proper control over audio, input, and basic visual options is part of making the whole experience feel more complete.

New garage environment

The garage has also been upgraded with a brand new semi-high quality 3D model, along with background effects and improved lighting. This is a major visual step up from the previous state and helps the entire project make a better first impression the moment a player enters the game.

Just like the suspension, this is not being called final. The garage will continue to improve over time. More detail, more refinement, and more atmosphere can still be added later. But for the current stage of development, it has reached the point where it is strong enough to represent the project far more properly than before.

That matters a lot. The garage is not just a background room where a tank sits. It is one of the first places where the project establishes tone, quality, and identity. Better lighting, a more believable environment, and stronger presentation immediately make the whole game feel less temporary.

Why this update matters

Update 0.5.5 is a “minor” update mostly in name. In practice, it is one of those patches that improves the quality of the project in several important places at once. Vehicle feel is moving in a better direction. Temporary visuals are less disruptive. Settings and controls are much more complete. The menu flow is cleaner. The garage finally looks like it belongs in a real game.

None of that means the work is finished. Quite the opposite. It means weak spots are being replaced before they become deeper problems later. That is the correct time to do this kind of work: now, while the project is still shaping its foundation.

There is still a long road ahead for the suspension. The track visualiser will eventually be replaced by a proper long-term solution. More settings will be integrated over time. The garage will continue to evolve. But the project is now standing on better ground than it was before this patch, and that is exactly what this update was meant to achieve.