For this update (alpha 4) I wanted to make using the game itself, and gameplay by extension, easier to deal with. 

To start with, we now have a minimap! It has a cursor to display what direction the player is facing, and makes it easier to spot locations of note. I will be there by default in the top right of the screen, with settings to move it coming shortly.

Next, we have popups. No, not the annoying one when you first start a level, popups for when you get items! You'll no longer wonder if you actually are getting anything from hitting that rock, or cutting down a tree. They will display the amount obtained as well, which is a good way to gauge your progress with your tools (how quickly you'll harvest something!)

After that, we have sanity checking for water for the ores, and trees, so all items will be able to be harvested. On a technical note, the map is now randomly generated almost in it's entirety, the only thing that isn't is the placement of the mushrooms! The height of the hills, the placement of the hills, and the location of water are all generated upon loading the map, ensuring a unique setup for replayability.

notes from alpha 3: ( i didn't do a devlog for it rip)

This update (alpha 3) I wanted to mainly focus on making combat a bit more fun, and and have more of a challenge than 'swing tool and hit monster'. a bow has been added, with five tiers of arrows/arrowheads to craft to deal more damage the rarer the metal used. You can wipe out monsters in a much quicker fashion now, however, so their health has been increased back to their original stats. Foods/potions and magic is what is planned next in the combat department.