Source: http://www.remar.se/daniel/index.php

16 February 2025
Hero updated
I've updated Hero, my old game from 2005, with a whole bunch of improvements. Get it here!

Version 5 (16 February 2025): […]
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Version 5 (16 February 2025):

GAMEPLAY
-The game now uses an updated savefile called "hero.sav" and does not alter
"herosave.sav" used by earlier versions of the game. If only the old savefile
is found, your progress is automatically copied over from there.
-Added a main menu to the title screen.
-Added a pause menu.
-Added an options menu to the main menu and pause menu.
-Reworked the bonus menu.
-Changed the in-game framerate from 34 to 40 and tweaked all speeds.
-Changed the intro and ending framerates from 30 to 40.
-Changed the menu framerates from 60 to 40.
-You now keep the Supergun when losing a life.
-Added checkpoints to most levels that change your respawn point when touched.
Touch a checkpoint again to see an automap of the currently explored level.
Unlike the maps in the bonus menu, moving scenery and superguns are not shown
here to avoid confusion with boss enemies, barriers and doors.
-Added difficulty levels. "Easy" makes enemies slower and weaker, while
"Original" removes the checkpoints and makes you lose the Supergun when losing
a life.
-Added cheat codes that can be typed in during gameplay. Completing the bonus
level shows you the codes.
-Cheat codes can be disabled in the options menu. While in-game they cannot be
re-enabled until you quit back to the main menu. This is for people who want
to challenge themselves but feel that the existence of the cheat codes might
tempt them to use the codes in a tight spot.
-Tweaked some level design to reduce dead ends and backtracking.
-Collision detection between Hero and some enemies is now slightly more lenient.
-Hero can now safely touch the screen borders while fighting Tetron.
-Enemies now slightly randomize their speed and direction when overlapping
others of the same type, so they clump together less.
-Destroying an Annihilator now destroys any enemy bullets overlapping it too.
-Generators no longer fire regular bullets and spread shot simultaneously.
-The game now remembers the last level played when returning to the title.

AUDIO
-Replaced MIDI music with updated XM versions.
-Added a new song to the title screen.
-Added a new song to the bonus level.
-Music is now played through XeAudiere. The sound effects can also be played
through XeAudiere it by changing a setting in the options menu, although this
may cause the game to crash after a few minutes on some computers.
-Replaced all sound effects with original ones, as they were previously taken
from NES Life Force.

CONTROLS
-F2 no longer instantly restarts the game.
-F3 now switches to fullscreen instead of F4.
-Both Enter and Escape now pause the game.
-You can now press Space to activate autofire. In the options menu you can
change whether it fires constantly or only when a fire key is held.

COSMETIC
-The game no longer draws sprites on "half pixels". This can be changed in
the options menu if you prefer the original look.
-Boss enemies now flash when hit. This can be turned off in the options menu.
-Added a sound effect when the scenery crumbles in some levels.
-Non-boss Annihilators now emit a regular enemy hit sound when damaged.
-Crumbling scenery no longer restarts its animation if you leave and re-enter
the room while it's still crumbling.
-Added an entrance text to the bonus level.
-Added stripes to mark level exits.
-Reduced screen flashing during the intro animation.
-Reduced screen flashing during the ending.
-The music no longer restarts in Level 6 unless you die in the boss room.
-Tweaked the timing of Hero's jetpack flames.
-Tweaked some text.
-Your number of lives is now displayed at the start of each level.
-Updated the manual and in-game help text.