Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege Dev Cites Famicom Castlevania as Influence
The interview reveals how a small indie studio deliberately channeled the difficulty and structure of a classic Famicom Castlevania while adding its own replay systems and a distinct setting.
Reporting from 1 source: Game Spark.
In a Game Spark interview, Lillymo Games founder Barry Johnson discusses the Famicom-style 2D action game Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege, released for PC on April 20. Johnson cites the Famicom Castlevania as a key influence, noting the game's 21 stages, 7 boss battles, and elements that encourage replay, such as an Orb Shop and unlockable passwords. The game is set in late 17th-century Europe and does not currently support Japanese.
Lillymo Games founder Barry Johnson told Game Spark that his team aimed for a hardcore action game with the feel of the Famicom Castlevania but with fresh ideas. The result, Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege, released for PC on April 20, features 21 stages and 7 boss battles, a structure Johnson says is centered on the number 7. Players control former soldier Rudiger, who wields the Spear of Sacrilege against a corrupt priest named Father Pacer in late 17th-century Europe.
Johnson said the game includes an Orb Shop that carries progress over into subsequent playthroughs and unlockable passwords that offer new ways to play. He described the final development push from autumn to winter 2025 as intense but said problems that had lingered for a long time suddenly resolved at tremendous speed. Since release, feedback has ranged from players who loved the nostalgic feel to those dissatisfied with the old-school difficulty. Johnson said passwords have been added for players struggling with the jump mechanics and for those seeking more challenge. The game does not currently support Japanese and is available for 1,200 yen.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.