Developer Log #4: Worldbuilding a Visual Novel on the Clawville Express

Welcome Aboard, Detectives.

Last week, after the release of Moses & Plato, we’re back with a new developer log!

I’m Bánk B. Varga, the lead designer of Moses & Plato - Last Train to Clawville. Today, we’re going to take a look at another side that makes visual novel characters stand out, aside from the writing and dialogues, it’s the world they inhabit.

A good visual novel isn’t just about the story, it’s also about the world you travel through.

Moving through the interiors of the Clawville Express and the diverse stations across the Wilderness, there are always new locations to explore as you progress. We want you to be connected to the larger world that feels alive.

A train inspired by the legendary classics

When we first imagined the Clawville Express, we naturally looked to some of the most iconic trains and stories in fiction. The Orient Express inspired us with how it brings together a diverse group of passengers, each with their own secrets.

The story of Murder on the Orient Express helped us shape the idea of a mystery unfolding in a confined, moving space. At the same time, we were also influenced by legendary detectives such as Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes. Not to mention, the classic adventure game The Last Express.

All of these inspirations came together to form a setting that feels both familiar and unique. Something that supports both the mystery and the characters who inhabit it.

Designing the Clawville Express wasn’t just about the train itself, but also about the spaces within it.

Each room was carefully planned to feel lived-in and purposeful. From private cabins to shared spaces, we wanted every location to reflect our planned worldbuilding and the characters that interact with it.

Stations with their own stories

While the train is central to the experience, the stations you visit play an equally important role in shaping the world of the Wilderness. Each station represents a different culture, atmosphere, and visual identity that is still part of the universe. We want to design each station not just as a backdrop, but as a place that feels like part of a larger, living world.

For example, Avirya, the land of birds, draws heavily from steampunk influences. Our artist, Zoltán Nagy, designed unique architecture filled with intricate machinery and airships, giving the location a distinct sense of scale and wonder.

On the other hand, Nauticca, the underwater country, is an Art Deco world characterized by glass and amazing architecture. It creates a completely different mood, where players might be reminded of places like Rapture from Bioshock. But once again, Zoltán Nagy has incorporated his own astonishing elements.

The train station of Avirya

The train station of Nauticca

Creating a visual novel with depth and motions

One of the things we’re really proud of in Moses & Plato is how we approached its visual style. We combined 3D environments for the train interiors with 2D characters and sub-locations, creating a 2.5D visual approach that we refined throughout development.

This allowed us to create a sense of depth and immersion while still maintaining the clarity and style of a visual novel.

3D rendition on one of the train interiors

Mixing the interior for a 2.5D visual style

That’s all for this week!

We can’t wait to hear more about your experience as you explore the game’s incredible stations. As you progress, you’ll discover new places and details along the way. Starting from Stowonia, the land of eternal snow, to Avirya, the realm of birds, and Nauticca, the underwater world of fish people, and not to mention the well-known Clawville.

Now that the game has been out for a week, we’d like to thank you for all the support! We love seeing the reviews and reactions from the community so far.

We’ll be back next week with another developer log, where we’ll dive deeper into the story of Moses & Plato.

Stay tuned, detectives. We will be back soon with more news from the Clawville Express.

Be mindful of the passengers, and always stay on your paws. The Wilderness Society.

Keep updated with us!

• Twitter / X

• The Wild Gentlemen Socials

• Join our Discord

Join our community and subscribe to our newsletter!

We just launched Toge Newsletter where you can read the latest news from Toge Productions, check it out!