Developer Interview Part 1 - Building the World

Ahoy there!

With just 4 weeks to go until Curse of the Sea Rats launches on 6th April we’ve prepared an exclusive 2 part interview with some of the key member of the Petoons Studio team!

Today we’ll be introducing Part 1: ‘Building the world’ where we take a look at the game concept and core inspiration, environmental design, and original soundtrack!

Game Direction & Narrative Design with Game Director, Dani del Amor.

Q: Can you tell us about the core concept of the game and its main characters?

Dani: Curse of the Sea Rats is a classic Metroidvania, but with a strong narrative component. Aside from what would be typical Metroidvania elements like combat and exploration, you will find yourself empathizing a lot with the character you choose. You’ll also discover many side characters throughout the game, and by interacting with them will learn more about their backstories and needs. With this, we also try to make you smile from time to time, humor is a key part of the game!

Q: What can you tell us about the incident on board the HMS Barfleur and Flora Burn’s plan?

Dani: The game begins with the British ship, HMS Barfleur, returning to England from the Caribbean with a hold full of prisoners. Among these prisoners are our protagonists, four individuals each with their own unique backstories. While they are not necessarily common criminals, they are lawbreakers in the eyes of the British Empire, and must stand trial for their crimes. Imprisoned alongside them is the notorious pirate captain Flora Burn, who possesses a mysterious ancient artefact, the Eye of the Serpent, that she stole (in a part of the story that is not going to be revealed now). She uses this artefact to turn all the Barfleur’s crew and its prisoners into rats, allowing her to escape along with her nefarious crew. And this is where the game begins.

Q: So what exactly is the Eye of the Serpent and who is Flora Burn?

Dani: The Eye of the Serpent is comprised of an amulet and a ring. To recover their human form, the prisoners must reunite these pieces in order to invoke the artefact’s power again and reverse the curse. The artefact is a kind of “magic lamp”, with a spirit inside that grants wishes. But at the same time, it embodies the concept of yin and yang, of good and evil. When both pieces are together they allow you to fulfil any wish. But when separated, good and evil are no longer balanced. The amulet is the good half where Wu Yun, the heroes’ guide, resides. The ring is the evil half, possessed by a serpentine spirit that Flora Burn uses to increase her magical powers!

However, Flora Burn is not inherently evil. She’s a pirate captain who travels the Caribbean and does what she pleases, and her life philosophy means that she won’t bow to any state, to any government, living in freedom.

Her objective is fundamentally to recover this freedom, return to the Caribbean and continue with her treasure hunting and raids on the ships of the British Empire and its various outposts. Unfortunately, our main characters happen to cross paths with her at exactly the wrong time, and although they share some values, they end up in direct conflict with her goals!

Q: Who are the main heroes of the game and how does their gameplay differ?

Dani: Starting with David Douglas, he is the