Pixel art, werewolves and metal – Slain 2 developer on life in the closed circle of gamedev

Andrew Gilmour, developer of the brutal gothic hack-n-slash Slain 2: The Beast Within, shared reflections on indie developer life that resonated with fans of his work.

Gilmour posted recently on his Twitter, sharing an epic werewolf animation from Slain 2:

Gamedev is the real game in the gaming industry. Think my games are hard? Try making them. If I'm not making games – I'm playing them and thinking about how to make them. And when I'm making them – I'm thinking about how to play them. There's harmony in that. Mostly.

On his Twitter, Gilmour regularly shares GIFs from Slain 2, showcasing impressive pixel art – one of the series' main strengths. Animations featuring werewolves, moons and dark gothic atmosphere delight fans of the style. The developer himself succinctly describes the essence of his work:

Metal, pixel art games with lots of wolves and moons.

Slain 2: The Beast Within is the sequel to Slain: Back from Hell, where players take on the role of Prince Akran, the last of the Wolf Knights. The hero wields the sentient blade Batorin, granting elemental powers of fire, ice and pure destruction. Under the light of the full moon, Akran can transform into a werewolf, unleashing a flurry of claws and savage fury upon enemies. The game will feature three massive quests with unique dark locations – from phantom seas to cursed castles and the abyss – where sacred relics await: the Eye, the Heart and the Dagger.

Slain 2 is expected in 2026 – for now the game can be added to your Steam wishlist.