"Zombies are fun target practice... but what happens when your prey starts shooting back?"

In this month's devlog, I want to introduce a new enemy in Hexborn, my roguelike retro FPS inspired by 90s shooters like Blood, soaked in Gothic horror and eldritch madness.

Inspired by the iconic shotgun-wielding zealots from Blood, the Shotgun Cultist is designed to punish complacency. While zombies shamble toward you brainlessly, this guy sees you, chases you down, and fires on sight.

His animations are classic 2D sprite-based, in line with the rest of Hexborn’s weapons and enemies — but when paired with modern FX and sound design, he hits hard.

I wanted a ranged enemy that keeps you moving and makes you sweat, especially in tight spaces. Something that breaks the zombie rhythm and forces you to treat every encounter like a duel.

I pulled references directly from Blood's cultists, but added my own spin — a darker aesthetic, warped chants, and tighter, faster attacks. Gameplay-wise, this cultist becomes a pacing anchor. When you hear his signature shout echo down the hall, it’s time to duck or die.

The sprite art was hand-animated to feel sharp and aggressive, with just a hint of janky 90s charm — the kind that makes each encounter feel a little unpredictable.

The Shotgun Cultist is a footsoldier of the Cult of Shadows, the fanatics who have infiltrated the Bloodstone Labyrinth in hopes of resurrecting the Forgotten God. These zealots have adapted to the maze’s shifting geometry, establishing outposts and defending Bloodstone fragments through rituals and firepower.

They’re not mindless monsters — they’re here with purpose. And they’ll die for it.

If you're into retro shooters and roguelikes where death can come from a corner shout and a muzzle flash, wishlist Hexborn on Steam to follow the journey.

"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.

🔪 Watch it in action: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f-imkwtqoEw


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