Well, clearly, there have been some changes to labs in recent builds. I downloaded the latest late last week and again over the weekend, and wow, the changes are subtle but at the same time pretty significant to a seasoned lab-starter.
First off, I found portal generators in the lab. YAY! About time those were back.
Besides that, either the map gen was modified, or I got a TERRIBLE run of bad luck. I had several labs in a row where the only way up was locked in a barracks or prisoner containment, and I had a few where the only way up was right next to a turret.
Also, there definitely seem to be more manhacks and skitterbots… or again, I had an amazingly bad run of luck.
That said, I did find an ELECTRIC jackhammer in a lab for the first time ever… I got a science ID card, an electro hack, an electric jackhammer, AND a teleporter on those run… it was quite silly.
On my current run, I’ve got a huge lab (6 levels deep at least, and every floor seems fairly large so far), I got a science ID, so I got out, but other than foraging for food, I haven’t really gone anywhere yet. I also got a teleporter drop from a scientist, after I was already out.
I got all the computer books, and as I clear the rest of the lab, I’ve gotten several electronics books, too (but not Robots For Fun and Profit, so stuck at 8 for now). Before I had my electronics up much, a scientist butchered to a Metabolic CBM, and I didn’t have anything else installed yet, so hey, why not… FAIL, lose some bionics… oh hey, I lost Acidic Discharge, Itchy Metal Thing, and that one that makes your hands shake. Best CBM fail I’VE ever had! Heh.
Anyway, I also checked the area with the console maps, and there are 6 other labs I can see… no libraries, bookstores, or schools, and only one mansion (right at the edge of vision), but I’m not sure that’s really a problem with all those labs…