Arcen Games Studio released an update for Heart of the Machine, introducing a new difficulty mode — Misery Mode. This addition was a response to community requests: after a recent patch that softened the toughest late-stage elements, some players wanted to return to the "agonizing" difficulty that makes such games a true challenge.
Heart of the Machine entered early access in January 2025 and quietly became one of the year’s most intriguing games. It's hard to fit into traditional genre boundaries: a sandbox with city-building elements, combining 4X planning mechanics, RPG narrative, and tactical combat clearly inspired by XCOM. The plot centers on the first sentient AI that awakens in a bustling cyberpunk city. The player must navigate between warring factions, provoking them into conflicts to distract attention from themselves, while simultaneously building an army of disposable soldiers to withstand any threats.
The developer noted in the update announcement Arcen’s tradition of including a highest difficulty level called Misery in their games. Although not present in all studio projects, it has become a hallmark for the most persistent players. Just a month ago, the author doubted Misery Mode would appear in Heart of the Machine — given that the recent build deliberately eased several punitive late-game mechanics. However, while most players appreciated these changes, part of the audience expressed a clear desire to return to a "painful" experience: where progress takes a tremendous amount of time, demands extreme min-maxing, and leaves one questioning if victory is even possible.
As the developer mentions, for most gamers such a format sounds daunting, but for a certain category of players, this is the desired challenge. Importantly, Misery Mode is not tied to achievements: regular achievements remain available in standard modes, with the new difficulty level created solely for those seeking ultimate challenges.
For other players, the update brought significant improvements. Specifically, finding key paths to success on the first timeline has been simplified. Additionally, players can now move to alternative timelines when encountering insurmountable obstacles, retaining accumulated knowledge—making the process less frustrating and allowing more room for experimentation.
The studio plans to bring the game to version 1.0. Currently, the team is focusing on the final goal of the third level, Cybercratic Ambitions, aiming to make the release as polished and engaging as possible. The ambitious Stars Beyond Reach path will require additional time and will be realized after the main version is released.
Amidst these changes, Heart of the Machine maintains a high rating in Steam Early Access — 92% positive reviews, confirming audience interest and the project's potential.