It seems Terraria's developer is as bad at making small updates as it is final ones, as it says its latest balance patch is much more than 'adjusting a few numbers'

Back in January, Terraria finally received its gargantuan 1.4.5 patch. Three years in the making, 1.4.5 was supposed to be the final update for the long-running, massively successful survival-crafting game. But it turns out that developer Re-Logic is terrible at making final updates, having committed to at least one further major patch in the future while leaving the door open for more.

On top of this, Re-Logic is already working on what was supposed to be a minor balance patch. But it appears Re-Logic is as bad at making small updates as it is final updates, as patch 1.4.5.7 is shaping up to do far more than tweak some numbers.

Re-Logic explained the situation in its most recent State of the Game blog. "Sometimes, addressing balance means rethinking some core aspects around how things function—or expanding upon what is already there in new ways," the studio wrote. As such, what was intended as a straightforward numbers adjustment is now a more substantial patch that will add several new features to the experience.

Re-Logic teased a couple of these new gizmos in the blog post, namely a portable sentry that blasts enemies with fire, and some kind of ammo randomiser. The developer said that these features are a "nice representation of this dynamic". Re-Logic didn't elaborate on that, but did say these items also indicate the "scope of the changes being made around the balancing goals" adding "this is not just about adjusting a few numbers here and there."

These aren't the only new features coming to 1.4.5.7 either. Last month, Re-Logic promised various new tools for handling "frustrations" in combat, such as invisible hitboxes, issues with boss attacks and so forth, as well as glowing-up some less popular toys and teasing a new minion that resembles a walking turnip. That's a lot of new stuff for a balance patch.

There's plenty to come beyond this update too. As mentioned, Re-Logic has committed to supporting Terraria beyond 1.4.6—meaning the game will get at least one more major update plus subsequent smaller patches. What 1.4.6 will include is still yet to be confirmed. Separately, though, crossplay is coming to Terraria, which in itself will add a whole new lease of life to this stubbornly successful survive 'em up.

Best laptop games: Low-spec life
Best Steam Deck games: Handheld must-haves
Best browser games: No install needed
Best indie games: Independent excellence
Best co-op games: Better together