[img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/cb895da178c68f2082d3d24da85432bdca1eca20.png[/img] In Lynked: Banner of the Spark, your town is more than just a place to rest—it's the heart of your resistance against the Combots. As you develop it, you’ll gather a community of allies eager to support your efforts. With their help, you’ll upgrade gear, master new abilities, and sharpen your combat skills, preparing you for whatever the enemy throws at you. Let’s explore the activities your town offers and how building up your community fuels your progress before each mission. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/48144269224c1040a02b71cfb662aca997be77a7.jpg[/img] [h1]The Heart of the Resistance[/h1] Many of the Unibots you rescue will ask you to build unique structures they can call home, where they’ll do their best work. These buildings become essential landmarks in your town, providing access to upgrades, town items, crafting materials, in-game currencies, and more. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/1692687543a39c8ace84b9f07f4528db611b7cd3.png[/img] You can also visit the bots in their homes to pick up missions, side quests, and turn them in for rewards. For instance, Smithy will request the construction of the Forge, where you can craft new weapon classes and permanently unlock a range of mid-run weapon mods that may appear in future missions. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/581c2310a7900945fe3d4f392b0d73e7733dcfc9.png[/img] In addition to building Unibot homes, you'll find a few pre-existing structures in your town, such as the Sparkhold. Dormant for centuries, this legendary building once played a vital role in the Banner of the Spark. You can restore its power by researching Spark Upgrades, which require a resource called Soulsparks. Earn them by completing missions, collecting them from fallen enemies, or receiving them as gifts from friendly bots in town. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/bda967ca9d2f78d3f5ffaee1b3d49830d1acde7a.jpg[/img] [h2]Meet your Neighbors[/h2] As mentioned earlier, you'll fill your town with residents by rescuing them from the Combots, but they aren’t mindless automatons at your disposal. You’ll need to nurture relationships through friendly gestures like chatting, exchanging occasional gifts, and completing small quests. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/62f06182e453cc47ce86a2c3edd9fda02334a2c9.png[/img] As your bond with each bot deepens, so does their loyalty to your cause. In return, your allies will supply you with Soulsparks to spend in the Sparkhold, and a resource called Friendchips. Once you rescue Chip, you can trade these Friendchips with him for new active and passive tune ups for your trusty grappling hook, the Wyre. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/b39fa49386cc1c9c33aa95249db033c074f772ae.png[/img] [h2]Gather, Build, and Customize![/h2] Your town is an expansive plot of land with plenty of room to build structures for the Unibots, along with a home for yourself. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/6e0f1c94a2b422b48e3376ae8f6f9b7092cef62b.gif[/img] It’s also brimming with resources to collect for crafting a wide variety of decorations as you develop and beautify your community. Using your multitool, mine ore and precious metals from boulders, harvest wood and fruit from nearby trees, and even dig up plastic and aluminum left behind by humans long ago. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/e6f5b455137242019369458e3db176aafa8ad9de.gif[/img] Gather the materials you’ve collected and bring them to Mason’s Workshop. There, he’ll help you transform your raw materials into a wide range of items to enhance the look and layout of your town. While learning the tricks of the trade under Mason’s guidance, you’ll be taught to build new structures and receive blueprints that allow you to craft themed décor sets. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/adb34537376c74966576a0e28dd91040c3db19ba.png[/img] As you meet more robot allies and continue developing your town, you'll learn to craft a myriad of accessories and items to customize your home. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/03ab906c38d4832714686be9341f4a11ec73960d.png[/img] Be sure to stop by Nickel’s Shop to browse her rotating selection of decorations for even more home décor options. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/53d8c0a1d21629ca7cf4bdc00bd83888df6c13a4.png[/img] When it’s time to take a break from saving the world, don’t forget to relax and enjoy a few moments in your humble abode—a little R&R will be well-deserved! [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/e71ba76407dc0a178084c9168c7b6535e62ba435.jpg[/img] [h1]Much More to Explore[/h1] After securing new gear upgrades and ensuring your residents are housed and content, there’s still plenty to do around town. For instance, you can start your own farm to plant and grow a variety of crops. Once they're ready, harvest them and sell your fresh produce to Nickel for Bits, which you can spend around town to upgrade gear or buy accessories and décor. Some plants, like flowers, can also be turned into dyes to give your character a fresh new look. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/4e2bc5e47c4bc24eea3cb9d9fab2f8c614bb51e5.jpg[/img] [h2]Meet the Local “Wildlife”[/h2] While the Wyre excels in combat, it’s also perfect for catching local wildlife like Bitibots and Gillibots. Bitibots are elusive creatures that prefer to observe from a distance. If you spot one hiding in a tree or under a rock, be ready to chase it and use the Wyre to add it to your collection. As you discover new types of Bitibots, you'll unlock more flower varieties. You can even turn Bitibots into backpack accessories. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/24ea51edb3014b75e6f5454593760dc4914012a1.gif[/img] Around town, you'll also find fishing spots where Gillibots are abundant. When you see one leap from the water, cast your Wyre to reel in the catch. Collecting Gillibots allows you to craft Wall Mount décor, and some can be turned into weapon class variations to use in missions. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//45157739/c0e09ce865a244dfc9a3f274ccc7ab681e40625e.png[/img] That’s it for today—thanks for reading about the town activities you can explore in our game! We’re excited to announce that Lynked: Banner of the Spark will be featured in the upcoming Steam Next Fest ahead of its [b]Early Access launch on October 22[/b]. Play the free demo starting [b]October 3[/b] to experience all the town features described in this blog! Be sure to add the game to your [url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/3159570/]Steam wishlist[/url] to get notified as soon as it's available. In the meantime, [url=https://lynked.gg/dyr]join our Discord community[/url] to stay updated with the latest announcements. See you next time!