Unveiling the Enigmatic Artistry of Hauntii's Unique Style

Hauntii, developed by Moonloop Games, is a captivating indie title that combines the elements of a twin-stick shooter and a puzzle game. The game's stunning art style is achieved through the use of a monochromatic pallet and single-line weights. While players may view this choice as purely creative, Moonloop reveals that practical constraints also played a significant role in shaping the team's creative process when designing the game's environments and characters. To immerse themselves in this beautifully stylized world, players can now add Hauntii to their Steam wishlist. In an exclusive interview with Game Rant, studio founder and game designer Leo Dasso discusses his artistic influences and the real-world constraints that converged to create the unique aesthetic of Hauntii.

Hauntii's Tight Schedule Played a Huge Role in the Look and Feel of the Game

Dasso shared with Game Rant how the art style of Hauntii draws inspiration from various sources. One of these influences is Instagram user Dric, who has gained popularity by creating charming and amusing drawings of ducks, frogs, and other cute animals using a unique single-line art style. Additionally, Dasso mentions the French comic book artist Mobius as another significant artistic inspiration. Although Mobius creates more complex pieces, his style has left a noticeable impact on the artwork of Hauntii.

Hauntii's notable atmosphere is not solely achieved through illustration. Along with his design philosophy, Dasso incorporates various core video game design principles. However, he distinguishes himself by favoring minimalistic design in games, citing popular titles like Journey and Flow as examples. These games' simplistic designs have made them prominent within the genre. Essentially, if a mechanic can be eliminated and the game still functions effectively, then it may not be necessary to include it. Dasso explains, "My own little touch is minimalistic game design. If you can remove certain mechanics and the game remains playable, then it works. However, there are instances where removing certain mechanics would render the game unenjoyable, and they must be retained."

The production constraints during the project had a significant influence on Hauntii's art style. Dasso mentioned that due to the tight deadline, he had to come up with ideas, sketch them, and incorporate them into the game within a few minutes. This is why the game showcases a monochrome palette and single-line weights. Dasso compares this approach to drawing with a Sharpie, where one must fully commit to their drawings and not leave any room for light sketching or intricate designs. The use of a single line weight also encourages careful and intentional design choices.

The production constraints have heavily influenced the art style of this game. For instance, assets need to be created quickly, often within a time frame of around 20 minutes. However, despite these limitations, Hauntii manages to offer players a cohesive and enjoyable world. This is achieved through a combination of influences from comic book artists, Instagram accounts, and the impending time constraints of game design. Some may argue that the simple designs resulting from these constraints hinder Hauntii's potential. However, in reality, they are an integral aspect of its design. Without these constraints, it would not be possible to create the unique and impactful style that Hauntii possesses.

Hauntii is currently available to preorder on Steam and will release in 2024 on both console and PC.