"When your triple-barrel shotgun runs dry, there’s only one thing left to do..." In this week's feature, I want to share a melee weapon I’ve been working on for Hexborn, my roguelike boomer shooter drenched in Gothic horror and eldritch chaos. Inspired by Blood’s pitchfork and twisted execution tools from the medieval era, I wanted something raw, vicious, and just a little cursed. That’s how the Heartseeker Stake was born — a brutal iron spike used in ancient rituals to bind demons. Now it’s your default weapon when all else fails.
I knew I needed a fallback melee weapon, something the player could switch to when they’re out of ammo. But instead of a “basic” knife, I wanted it to feel like a weapon of last resort — something terrifying but effective. To get the design right: I referenced old torture instruments and execution stakes from the 15th century. I gave the artist a moodboard that blended religious relics, Gothic spears, and corrupted runes. We went through a few concepts before settling on a two-handed stake with ragged cloth, runic carvings, and a makeshift grip (so it actually looks usable!). The result is a weapon that feels desperate and personal — like something you pull out when there’s nothing left between you and death.
The Heartseeker is slower than your firearms, but extremely punchy — perfect for finishing off stragglers or holding your ground when cornered. It’s also fully tied into the lore of the Bloodstone Labyrinth, echoing ancient cult rituals meant to “pin down” corrupted entities. 🧪 Devlogs and behind-the-scenes posts are also available on Itch:
https://caspianinteractive.itch.io/hexborn