Rose & Locket News

Hey, travelers!

We continue our Underwest Travel Guide. Here the Lands of Death are divided by Seven Sins each with its own patrimony. Each patrimony is an embodiment of the Sin which controls it. Emotions, colors, sounds — all this matters in the world of Underwest.

Today we'll be visiting the first domain Rose encountered on her journey. The land of horror, hopelessness and despair the blood-red Sin of Wrath, crimson in hue stands supreme.



[h2]Spectral ghost town: Wrath and its domain[/h2]

The dominion of Wrath is an old abandoned town inspired by the classic Wild West settlements of the American frontier. But the music no longer plays at the saloon, and the clock on the town tower has stopped forever at noon.



It is a place of teeming rage where red dominates the color palette. All shades — from rust to blood — embody aggression, violence and cruelty.

Wrath flits through the mass graves of the Underworld, gathering The Lost Ones. Who knows what Wrath does with these frail souls gone astray?


[h2]Endless firefight[/h2]

Wrath is a classic Western villain. The thirst for blood defines his entire life (or afterlife?). Wrath is one of those who always shoots first, and asks questions later.

The embodiment of pure primordial rage, he is brutal and completely devoid of composure. His Ego blinds him, making him irrational.

He wields flames, scorching red, just like him. He's cathartic about setting his enemies on fire — ending their existence in one of the most painful ways by using fireballs like bullets.


[h2]Red. Blood red[/h2]

Color in the world of Underwest is a key element that not only conveys the emotion of each of the Sins, but also contributes heavily to the atmosphere of the Underworld

The colors of the Wrath lands are red. This color dominates not only the location and visual design, but also all of Wrath’s dialogues. All his words seem to ooze with rage, unable to contain the hatred for all things living.

“I can feel your blood boiling, Rose”

The lands of the Underwest are fraught with many dangers. And meeting each Sin is a test on the verge of life and death.

Get ready, our journey through the cruel and dark lands of the Underwest is just beginning! What is the next sin that will intercept Rose from saving her daughter? In the next devlog we will talk more about another Sin! What will Sloth be like in Rose history?

Until next time, Travelers!

Follow us on social media & Discord to stay up-to-date on the latest updates and news!

Hello Travelers!

Welcome to our Underwest Travel Guide, this time we're diving straight into the realm of the dead, — the Underwest. A pivotal place where Rose fights to save her daughter, the only thing that can be dear to a hardened gunslinger like herself.

The Underworld is a wicked and mysterious place. The Seven Sins reign supreme and danger lurks behind every turn. Let’s get into it and take a closer look at the secrets, designs, creatures, and emotions that bring this atmospheric realm to life!

[h2]The Underwest’'s Creation: Emotion and Color[/h2]

The Underwest is a canvas splashed with pigments that convey explicit meanings. This is the domain of the Seven Sins, each one embodying the idea and emotion behind one of these vibrant colors.
The nature of every Sin is represented by their signature colors. For instance, Wrath's domain is violent red. — A color long-associated with intense anger, fierceness, and passion. Or Sloth’s domain which is an ephemeral and airy blue — symbolizing laziness and indifference, a realm where its hues obscure everything and make it nearly impossible to keep track of time. Gluttony’s world is a suffocating green, consumed by dense forests — a place as beautiful as it is dangerous where verdant tones dominate, long associated with abundance and growth.
The intricate link between the colors and the emotions they evoke was for our choice of the palettes for the Sins. Every color you see was deliberately chosen to represent the capital vices in their respective realms.



[h2]Land of the Dead[/h2]

In the Underworld, life is but a distant memory. No one truly "lives" here — it's the realm where souls of the dead go to atone. Overseen by the Grand Sins, it's a realm stuck in limbo, occupying the space between life and the afterlife.
The Grand Sins reign supreme here, each of them controlling a section of this desolate realm. This world is nightmarish and twisted. But the Grand Sins are not the only threat in this world. There are other dangers lurking in the shadows, each and every one of them waiting to prey on unsuspecting hapless souls.
As Rose travels deeper into the heart of the Underwest she will be confronted by hordes of apparitions — grotesque minions born from the colossal plant-like sin, Gluttony.

[h2]The Vibes of the Underwest[/h2]

Which word can be used to describe the Underwest? Atmospheric.



Every corner of the Underwest roils with an unsettling energy. It has a chilling atmosphere that wraps around you, sinking down through your bones and into your very soul. Every plane oozes the very essence of the Seven Sins, every corner of the Underwest is under their absolute power, leaving nowhere for you to hide.

[h2]Dwellers from the Underwest [/h2]

The monsters of 'Rose & Locket' borrow a bit of their design philosophy from classic '90s shooters like Doom and Doom 2. All enemies have a specific visual design to help players single out threats amidst the chaos of combat. With many spirit-like foes, expect enemies to come from all directions, even from above, making every encounter a thrilling challenge.

[h2]Friendly souls in the Underwest?[/h2]

The Underwest is a wild and dangerous realm, especially for unwelcome guests.
With the exception of the innocent ‘Lost Ones’ — glowing white spirits, it's a barren and hostile land under the ruthless control of the Sins. Rose will be able to meet the Lost Ones — gaining the favor of the only friendly phantoms in this hazardous world of the Underwest.

Every step taken in the Underwest is a dance with danger, and Rose must navigate it with her lightning-quick reflexes and deadly arsenal of weapons.



Prepare to venture deeper into the world of Rose & Locket — in our next devlog we’ll introduce you to each Grand Sin and the plains under their jurisdiction, starting with Wrath???

Until next time, Travelers!

Follow us on social media & Discord to stay up-to-date on the latest updates and news!

[h2]Devlog #2: Meet Rose - The heart and soul of Rose and Locket
[/h2]

Hello everyone!
As you may have gathered from the title of this devlog, Rose is the main character of our game: Rose and Locket!

This is our second devlog so today we'd like to introduce her in detail, and let you all get to know a little more about the woman behind the title. We hope her unique design, personality, and role within the game’s world will capture your imagination and make you eager to learn more about her.

Let’s get into it!

[h2]
• The inspiration behind Rose’s style[/h2]
  

Rose, the main hero of the game, has a unique but familiar design. It’s well-known for everybody, but especially for those who have watched classic western movies. To be more precise - if you have enjoyed the legendary “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly”, you definitely remember Clint Eastwood’s character - “Man with no Name”. The poncho and hat that he wore in this movie became distinctive traits of mysterious, calm, and tough cowboys. And Rose shares these common traits both in her character and in her design choices.

[h2]
• Crafting Rose’s color palette
  [/h2]

The idea behind Rose’s palette was chosen and crafted intuitively. Rose dives into the Underworld to save her daughter’s soul, and the signature tones of this place are ethereal in dark purple and white colors. Rose’s coloring is really set off by this dark, enigmatic realm. And her palette really captures the mythical essence of the Underworld.

[h2]
• What makes Rose.. Rose?[/h2]
  

How can we describe Rose in three words? Lightning-quick, badass, but caring.

She strides in calm, handles her business quietly, and strolls out. You know this type - the ‘cool & collected bounty hunter’. But Rose is hiding something beneath this fierce appearance, either distinctive trait that all mothers share at their core — love. Even though there is little place for love in Rose's world. Her rough and thorny exterior, much like her namesake, meant to keep most others at a distance. However, there is one small thing she holds close to her heart — she is very protective and will do absolutely anything to save her beloved daughter.

[h2]
• Rose’s arsenal: not just ANY guns
  [/h2]

Aside from character traits, Rose is not only a bold bounty-hunter and a loving mother - she is also very good with guns. And when we say good, we mean good. Rose has a trustworthy sidekick - her Underworld-imbued revolver.
For a cowboy, or in our case, a cowgirl - a revolver is not just a weapon - it’s a lifeline. Rose’s starting revolver is deeply rooted in the real Wild West and inspired by the iconic Colt Peacemaker. Throughout her travels, these weapons resonate with the mysterious power of the Underworld and take on a life of their own.



Rose’s revolver is swift to decimate enemy spirits, and reliable enough to stand on its own in tight spots. It complements her speed and determination, summarizing her role as a steady protector and a hair-raising fighter.

As you can see, Rose is a strong and self-assertive character that was inspired by tough cowboy tropes, but has distinctive traits that make her a special and memorable character — fascinating to observe throughout her daring adventure in the Underworld.

Thank you for taking the time to check out our devlog, we hope you enjoyed getting to know Rose a bit better! In our next devlog we will be diving into the designs of the Underworld and the monstrous creatures that inhabit it.

Stay tuned and follow us on social media & Discord to stay up-to-date on the latest updates and news!

Greetings, gunslingers!

Hope you're ready for a "drawsome" Rose & Locket behind-the-scenes devlog!

We wanted to share some insight behind the scenes of Rose and Locket’s development

The story of Rose & Locket is a tale of Rose, an ex outlaw who’s been blackmailed by an evil Spirit of the Underworld, and her odyssey through the dangerous Underwest to free her daughter's spirit, imprisoned in a silver locket.
We want to provide players with an action packed adventure of Rose against great odds of the Underwest.

Our ambition was to craft a narrative rich in emotion encompassing themes of love, loss, and the journey in between. But we also want to weave an exhilarating adventure so unforgettable that even a humble tumbleweed couldn’t resist taking the voyage.

The visuals in Rose & Locket are distinct in their comic-like aesthetic. We went through many iterations before finally settling on an art style that we hope really ‘hits the bullseye’ for players with its aesthetic appeal.



We drew our game inspiration from Samurai Jack by Genndy Tartakovsky, an animated series famous for its blend of action, animation, and atmosphere, as well as its own distinctive artstyle. Genndy Tartakovsky's "Samurai Jack'' art style is minimalist and geometric, using clean lines and stark light-shadow contrast. Heavily influenced by Japanese woodblock prints and manga, it leans on visual storytelling and sound design, contributing to the show's mythic quality.

We are huge fans of minimal designs and using negative space and you can definitely see that in the Rose and Locket visuals.


Samurai Jack concept art


Rose and Locket art

Another major influence was Mike Mignola, the creative genius behind Hellboy! Mike Mignola's "gothic noir" style is marked by stark contrasts and simplified, yet exaggerated forms. Drawing inspiration from Lovecraftian elements, his symbolic, iconographic approach creates an eerie atmosphere. His unique blend of abstraction and storytelling and creative use of negative space have significantly impacted the comic book industry.



Mike Mignola art


Rose and Locket art

Similarly, Ashley Wood’s style blends traditional and digital art for a layered, mixed media aesthetic. Using bold brushstrokes, muted colors with vibrant bursts, and a mix of gritty realism and abstraction, his work is distinctively raw and dynamic. His stylized characters and chaotic compositions contribute to an often unsettling mood.


Ashley Wood art

As for the general in-game design of Rose & Locket, our end goal is a harmonious dance between detail and minimalism. We believe that leaving some room for imagination and interpretation is more compelling spelling everything out. We want you to saddle up, take the reins of your imagination, and ride alongside us through the story!


Rose & Locket

On the gameplay front we turned to the classics, finding inspiration in titles like Lucas Arts' Outlaws 1997 with its emphasis on adventure and story of revenge in the old west. It created a memorable setting and characters that stuck in our memory.



Games like this have taught us that engaging gameplay and thoughtful design can and do stand the test of time. We are striving to lasso the spirit of these iconic games and bring it galloping into the present to bring you an engaging experience throughout your adventure.



Rose & Locket's visuals emerged from years of inspiration, creativity, and developer experience, melding cinematic storytelling, action-adventure gameplay, and hand-drawn animation with cherished digital world influences.



Today’s deep-dive into the influences behind Rose & Locket has taken us from inspiration to in-game design. We’ve delved into our art and highlighted the influences from classic titles to comic aesthetics. As we continue on this exciting journey, we eagerly look forward to sharing more about our work.

In our next devlog we’ll dive into the process behind monster, character, and weapon design in Rose & Locket. Stay tuned for an exciting glimpse into these key aspects of our game, and follow us on social media & Discord to stay up-to-date on the latest updates and news

So long for now from the Underwest!

Hello, Underwest dwellers!

We’ve got a fresh new trailer for Rose&Locket from IGN Summer Of Gamingl
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Did you notice it? That’s right, we are not just sharing the footage of the new demo, we're also announcing exactly when it launches! Prepare your gamepads for this October, you'll love it!

Follow us on Twitter and join our Discord to stay tuned for more info!