Fatal Claw - Dev Interview #1
Hello, everyone!
Today, we’re kicking off our Dev Interview series, where we’ll share behind-the-scenes stories you don’t often hear—how Fatal Claw’s secret underground world was created, the challenges we faced, and the thought process behind each system.
For our first episode, we sat down with Fatal Claw’s Art Director to talk about the game’s visual style and art direction.
Let's hear about where inspiration came from, the details the team obsessed over, and how this unique world took shape.
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[h2]How Did Fatal Claw’s Underground World Come to Life?[/h2]
The dark yet mysterious world beneath the surface of Fatal Claw, and the glint in the eyes of our feline hero, Kisha—how did all these visuals come to be?
We spoke with the Art Director to learn how this beautiful world was brought to life.
[h3]🔷 A Fun Mix of Contrasting Elements – Where the Art Concept Began[/h3]
If I had to describe Fatal Claw’s visuals in one sentence, it would be: An intriguing blend of opposites.
- 2D visuals that feel almost 3D
- A world that’s eerie yet beautiful
- Old and decayed, yet full of style
- Cute but deadly
When we settled on Metroidvania gameplay set in a sealed underground world, I already had a clear picture forming in my head.
We wanted to show a world that’s dark and unsettling, but also enchanting, and we carefully adjusted shapes, brightness, and density to make sure Kisha always stands out clearly against the background.
We thought, "This isn’t a game where the world is explained through text. The real fun comes from understanding the world through images and experience."
That’s why our design philosophy was all about clarity and intuition—we wanted players to grasp the meaning the instant they saw it.
Of course, we were inspired by highly acclaimed Metroidvania titles like Metroid, Hollow Knight, and the Ori series.
But instead of simply following in their footsteps, we aimed to honor that legacy while giving it our own unique Fatal Claw twist.
[h3]🔷Kisha - Designed on the Basis of Aesthetics and Functionality[/h3]
Kisha isn’t just a cute little cat.
Since players spend the entire game looking at him, we focused on giving him a clear silhouette and a body type that could express a wide range of actions.
At the same time, we fine‑tuned every detail to keep that youthful, kitten‑like charm intact.
And then there’s Kisha’s signature feature—the claws attached to his cape.
It’s not just a special attack tool; it also reflects Kisha’s emotions throughout the adventure.
Most of the time, he’s just an adorably cat‑like companion, but the moment he draws that claw... Wham!
He transforms into a deadly little warrior, perfectly capturing our "cute but lethal" design philosophy.
[h3]🔷Giving Each Area Its Own Distinct Experience[/h3]
One of our biggest challenges during Fatal Claw’s development was differentiating each region.
When playing a lot of Metroidvania games, one thing that sometimes felt lacking was how, at some point, the boundaries between areas could start to blur.
So we decided that, even if it required extra work, every region should offer a completely unique experience.
- E.g., Warm, damp natural caves > scorching, molten machinery plants > cool, lonely abandoned houses
To help players think, “Whoa, this feels totally different!” and immediately recognize, “Ah, I’m in that area now,” we also added distinct landmarks—like the colossal skull of a dragon or unusual structures that stand out in memory.
Many of these landmarks hide small stories and secrets for curious players to discover.
All these elements come together to make players feel like they’re truly traveling through the world of Fatal Claw with Kisha by their side.
That’s the real sense of adventure we want to deliver to our players.
[h3]🔷Perfecting the Claw Action: What We Focused On[/h3]
When it came to designing the claw action, our priority was to capture the speed and sharpness that fit the weapon’s nature.
- We emphasized quick, snappy motions to convey agility.
- Sharp, streaking claw trails visualize the flow of each attack.
- Camera shakes and recoil effects enhance both the juicy impact and that satisfying “feel” of control.
[h3]🔷The Most Challenging Yet Rewarding Task – Higasha Tundra[/h3]
If we had to pick the toughest part of development, it would be the Higasha Tundra.
It was a sub-region with limited resources and a tight schedule, so we had to find a way to make a strong impression with minimal assets.
The solution we chose was a silhouette-based design. We went bold and reduced characters and backgrounds to shadowy shapes, creating a striking visual style.
Thanks to that approach, we were able to produce a memorable, Eastern fantasy-inspired scene that left a lasting impact, even with less content. And honestly, we’re really proud of how it turned out.
When I design concepts, I actively use mind maps.
By freely laying out every image and idea that comes to mind, I often end up with designs that feel more organic and perfectly suited to their purpose.
[h3]🔷Wrapping Up – The Feelings We Hope Players Get Through Our Graphics[/h3]
Fatal Claw isn’t the kind of game that flaunts cutting-edge graphics technology.
Instead, we focus on that handcrafted, frame-by-frame, analog warmth—the kind you can feel in every scene.
I remember writing this line on our Steam page:
At the end of every challenge you face, you will always find something meaningful.
Some players will rush through, while others will take their time to explore.
But in Fatal Claw, there is no wrong path.
As you wander, you’ll stumble across unexpected locations and hidden stories.
And if, in that moment, players think,
"Wow, I had no idea this place existed—coming here was totally worth it!"
then that would be the greatest compliment our art team could ever receive.
Our challenge to create something fresh and fun will continue.
We’ll keep working to deliver a game where players can truly immerse themselves in the world of Fatal Claw.
Thank you for playing and supporting us!
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This has been our chat with the Art Director of Fatal Claw.
Metroidvania games live and die by visual immersion, just as much as gameplay.
We hope today’s behind-the-scenes look gave you a glimpse into the passion and thought behind the game’s visuals. 🙂
And we’re not done yet!
We plan to keep sharing more stories from the dev team—from character and environment art to map design and world-building.
Please stay tuned for our next interview.
Thank you! 🙏