When a game uses a hand-drawn style by a talented artist, the results are always immaculate. The skill and time required to create such a unique look is impressive and games such as Hollow Knight have shown us that the style certainly stands out from the norm. The upcoming game Scarlet Deer Inn is taking its design one step further, however, by using embroidery for the animation. That’s right, sewing patterns and thread are part of the creation process and the game looks simply stunning.
Created by Attu Games and Eva Navratilova, Scarlet Deer Inn is inspired by Slavic and medieval European folklore. Plus, if you couldn’t already tell by the gorgeous hand-embroidered character designs — and sheep designs, for that matter — it also looks like a Studio Ghibli film. That’s because another inspiration for the husband and wife team is Ghibli’s co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. Even the soundtrack is made using traditional instruments.
The plot follows Elise as she explores dark and spooky environments with nothing but a torch to guide her. The game focuses heavily on light and shadow to overcome challenges and navigate the world.
From the trailers and gameplay we’ve seen, it appears the indie game will be narrative focused. You’ll meet interesting characters and learn more about the world and the darkness that pursues Elise and her two children. From the artwork alone, the game stands out from the rest and is the first to utilize embroidery in its creation. It’s that impressive feat that makes it a work of art you will want to put on your fridge or adorn your mantlepiece.
Scarlet Deer Inn does not have an official release date as of yet. It is scheduled to release on both Steam and Nintendo Switch when it does release.
