Dark Devotion 2

Dark Devotion devs release developer diary video

The design inspiration behind Lovecraftian metroidvania explored by developer Hibernian Workshop.

The publisher of Dark Devotion, The Arcade Crew and developer Hibernian Workshop today offer a behind-the-scenes profile of their side-scrolling action RPG, exploring the inspirations behind its world striving for incessant sacrifice driven by unwavering zealots.

The new video weaves together the artists, locations and inspirations that would ultimately become the rich narrative tapestry for Dark Devotion. Artist Alexandre Magnat, programmer Louis Denizet and writer Arthur Dos Santos describe how they drew from Romantic era artists like Delacroix and 14th century French Gothic architecture from southeastern France to create the overall macabre tone and artistic design of the game. The trio also detail how H.P. Lovecraft’s short stories and concepts around ‘the anti-hero’ helped them fine tune Dark Devotion’s story arch and character development.

Dark Devotion’s shadowy passageways twist through a mystical temple teeming with merciless spirits, but braving these uncharted routes often reveals stashed secrets and is the only way to deepen the all-important faith. Desecration be damned; looting the temple’s supplies and gear is a crucial necessity in surviving this macabre gauntlet of horrors.

Every encounter demands infallible reflexes and intuition, as enemies are cunning enough to leave prey limping away with illness, if they’re able to continue on at all. But only by enduring immense trials and unrivaled suffering can one hope to properly praise the God looming over Dark Devotion’s grim world.

Dark Devotion is set to release on Steam in early 2019.