The updates Couch refers to were the ones that introduced corpses and heart attacks. They did not go over well with a loud minority of the Early Access crowd, because they had to rethink existing exploits and tactics that made some encounters too easy. Since DD is not supposed to be about cheesing it or going on a picnic, and since these new mechanics introduced interesting challenges, I personally did not mind them. However, due to negative Steam reviews by several users (enough to make a visible difference), Red Hook caved and made these features optional (you can switch them off in the game menu) in a later hotfix.
Now, after a few months, I still don't get what the fuss was all about. At any rate, corpses and several other - more hardcore - features (like combat delay penalties, or failable retreats) became optional, or were reworked completely and pushed in the patch that came out today along with a ton of usability and UI improvements.
I can only say that I have seen very few developers who listened to their customers so closely, while at the same time kept their vision relatively unaltered. They have had to navigate a lot of drama queens and whiners for sure, so they have my respect.
Even now the game is very close to being complete, and I can only recommend it if someone likes a steep learning curve and the roguelike aspect. The atmosphere and art style alone is worth it, but the gameplay is also fantastic if you don't mind a bit of repetition. However, DD is not what I'd call a RPG, more like a turn-based strategy roguelike.
…..The one named after myself died in the very first adventure, but quite a few watchers have survived long enough to develop some good/bad quirks heh.
