- Become Blackhole update centers on a single core loop: smash, absorb, and upgrade between runs.
- Evolution path: progress from a speck of dust to asteroid, planet, star, and finally a black hole.
- Extra Mode is available now, adding a fresh challenge beyond the standard campaign.
- Between-run upgrades are the key to pushing deeper each attempt — spend resources every run.
- The game is out now on Steam.
Become Blackhole Update Overview
The Become Blackhole update delivers the game's signature arcade-progression loop in its most polished form: you start as a speck of dust and devour your way up the cosmic ladder until nothing can escape you. Each run is about choosing the right targets, absorbing mass efficiently, and banking upgrades so the next attempt starts stronger.
Video Highlights:
- Official launch trailer shows the full evolution chain: dust, asteroid, planet, star, black hole
- Confirms the core loop — smash, absorb, upgrade between runs
- Reveals Extra Mode as a post-campaign option
- Available now on Steam
The trailer lays out the entire scale fantasy in seconds: begin microscopic, end unstoppable. Every stage of evolution changes which objects you can safely smash, so understanding the tier system is the first step to efficient runs.
Early runs fail when players chase high-value targets above their mass tier. Absorb everything one tier below you first — steady mass gain beats risky snacking on planets when you are still an asteroid.
Evolution Stages Explained
Your journey in the Become Blackhole update follows five defined stages. Each unlock changes your hitbox, absorption speed, and the range of objects you can destroy.
| Stage | Role | Key Targets | Threat Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dust | Starting form | Particles, debris | High — nearly everything can crush you |
| Asteroid | First growth tier | Rocks, small clusters | Medium |
| Planet | Mid-game form | Asteroids, moons, small structures | Low-medium |
| Star | Late-game form | Planets, orbital debris, fleets | Low |
| Black Hole | Final form | Everything — stars included | Minimal in standard mode |
Why stage order matters:
- Skipping tiers by rushing large targets usually ends the run early.
- Each stage increases absorption radius, letting you clear groups faster.
- Black hole form unlocks the most efficient farming patterns for Extra Mode.
Early Game (Dust to Asteroid)
- Play defensively
- Absorb loose particles
- Avoid crowded fields
Mid Game (Planet)
- Speed increases
- Chain-absorb asteroid clusters
- Start risk-reward dives
End Game (Star to Black Hole)
- Aggressive sweeping
- Devour entire orbits
- Prepares you for Extra Mode
Extra Mode, highlighted in the launch trailer, offers additional challenge beyond the standard run structure. Treat it as the post-game: go in with a fully upgraded black hole build rather than attempting it under-powered.
Smash, Absorb, Upgrade: The Core Loop Step-by-Step
The loop sounds simple, but optimizing each phase is what separates short runs from deep ones. Follow this sequence every run.
Smash Selectively
Only destroy objects within one size tier of your current form. Oversized targets deal return damage or end the run; undersized targets waste momentum.
Absorb Efficiently
Move through dense debris fields in sweeping arcs rather than chasing single targets. Group absorption builds mass faster and keeps your momentum chain alive.
Bank Your Progress
When a run ends, all earned resources carry into the between-run upgrade screen. Never skip it — even small increments compound across attempts.
Upgrade Between Runs
Prioritize absorption speed and mass gain first, then survivability. Damage-style upgrades matter most once you reach star tier.
Push Further Each Run
Use your stronger starting position to reach later stages faster, unlocking better farming routes and, eventually, Extra Mode readiness.
Unspent upgrade currency does nothing sitting in your balance. Reinvest after every run — the compound effect of small upgrades is the main progression engine of the Become Blackhole update.
Upgrade Priority Rankings
Not all upgrades are equal. This ranking reflects how much each category shortens your time to black hole form.
| Rank | Upgrade Category | Impact | Recommended Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Absorption speed | Faster mass gain at every stage | ★★★★★ |
| 2 | Mass multiplier | Boosts value of each absorbed object | ★★★★★ |
| 3 | Movement/momentum | Better field sweeping, safer routes | ★★★★ |
| 4 | Survivability | Fewer early-run deaths | ★★★ |
| 5 | Smash power | Matters mainly at star tier and above | ★★★ |
If you are unsure where to spend, split early points evenly between absorption speed and mass multiplier. This combination shortens the dust-to-planet grind more than any other pairing.
Run Checklist and Common Mistakes
Before each session, run through this checklist to keep your runs efficient.
Pre-Run Checklist:
- Spend all upgrade currency from the previous run
- Confirm current evolution tier and target list
- Plan a sweep route through the nearest debris field
- Set a mass goal for this run before starting
- Attempt Extra Mode only with a maxed standard build
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Chasing planets while still in asteroid form — the most frequent cause of failed runs.
- Ignoring the between-run upgrade screen entirely.
- Fighting through dense fields at low tiers instead of circling to safer zones.
- Entering Extra Mode with an under-developed black hole build.
Extra Mode assumes you have mastered the standard loop. If you are regularly dying before reaching star tier, spend a few more runs upgrading before attempting it.
FAQ
Q: What is the goal of the Become Blackhole update?
The core goal is evolving from a speck of dust into a black hole by smashing objects, absorbing their mass, and upgrading between runs so each attempt reaches further up the cosmic ladder.
Q: What are the evolution stages in order?
Dust, then asteroid, then planet, then star, and finally black hole. Each stage expands the range of objects you can safely absorb and changes your absorption radius.
Q: What is Extra Mode?
Extra Mode is the additional challenge mode confirmed in the launch trailer. It is intended as post-campaign content, best attempted with a fully upgraded black hole build.
Q: Should upgrades be saved between runs?
No. Reinvesting upgrade currency after every run compounds your power. Small consistent upgrades shorten the early-game grind more than occasional large purchases.