It seems like I’ve been waiting for Join Us to release for, like, ever. But at least there are some new updates, as the developers explained that they’ve shifted toward refinement, optimization, and finishing work.

The biggest addition is that the full campaign can now be played from beginning to end in co-op. Join Us currently includes 38 main missions along with roughly 30 side missions. The campaign exists alongside the sandbox elements the game has emphasized in previous footage, giving players the option to follow a structured narrative or ignore it entirely in favor of experimentation.

The studio also confirmed that extensive voice recording sessions were completed recently. Around 12,000 lines of dialogue have been added, including narrative scenes and ambient NPC conversations. Followers, civilians, and other characters now react verbally to events in the world, which the team says helps make settlements and towns feel more active.

Wildlife interactions has become more detailed. Animals can now be domesticated through gameplay actions tied to the cult mechanics, and structures called Animal Totems attract creatures to player compounds over time. Animals can also wear cosmetic hats, and each creature has an assigned name, including some suggested by the community.

Farming systems have also expanded significantly. Players can plant crops, switch between different crop types, and manage growth conditions through watering or weather effects. Some plants are tied to specific conditions, including crops that only grow at night. AI followers can handle repetitive farming tasks automatically, reducing the amount of manual maintenance required from players.

The update also introduces a crime response system. Civilians can report illegal actions, triggering police responses based on the location of the offense. Rural areas result in slower response times, while towns receive faster intervention. Law enforcement escalation can eventually involve helicopters if situations continue to intensify.

Aircraft now play a larger role overall, with three helicopter variants confirmed so far: a crop duster, a police helicopter, and a military gunship. Each has different combat capabilities and can be destroyed during gameplay.

Optimization remains a major priority moving forward since Join Us heads closer to the Early Access launch later this year.