The shadows are darkening over Berlin, 1980s-style, as Wispfire's 'Red Kiss' plunges players into a world of vampire espionage. This independent game development studio has cooked up a tactical narrative RPG that's as cunning as it is captivating. You'll be commanding a network of bloodthirsty agents, navigating the city's fractured landscape to gather clues and build alliances with local factions – all while managing their supernatural needs.
At its heart, 'Red Kiss' tells the story of a human protagonist who, lost in the futility of conflict, finds new purpose as a vampire. Narrative designer Roy van der Schilden admits that the game's exploration of anguish and melancholy is a deliberate move – one that ponders how to seek justice in a world perceived as unjust.
The characters in 'Red Kiss' are more than just mere avatars – they're complex, multi-faceted individuals with their own backstories. Players will guide them through personal missions, influencing the course of their struggles and ultimately deciding the resolution of their narratives. Wispfire's using a combination of hand-drawn portraits, voice acting, and motion-capture animation to bring these characters to life – with the help of Live2D software, which they're adapting for more affordable animation.
Art director Aïda de Ridder explains that the team's background in interactive theatre has proved invaluable, as performers are accustomed to exaggerating expressions to ensure visibility and impact. This style translates well to the game's unique animation approach – one that acknowledges the limitations of static phone setups used for capture.
'Red Kiss' wants to shake up the vampire genre with its dark, queer, and diverse take on the classics. Van der Schilden makes no bones about the team's desire to move away from overly "pink rainbows" representations in some media – instead aiming for a nuanced perspective that imbues characters with strong personalities and purpose.