Spearhead through your Heart

Hello, I am Robertoz, creator of Totsugeki! Studio and the lead developer of Spearhead through your Heart, here's a heads up about this game.

A visual novel about war, with bonding characters and an emotional unique history

You will incarnate a soviet soldier in Stalingrad, and will get to go through the second part of the war, interact with bonding characters and historical facts to enjoy and learn.

Two to three hours long story, where you will get to know all of the characters, and then, following the choices you make, will lead you to a different path later on the game. 

The origins of the game

This project emerges from a gaming community server of Company of Heroes 2 (World War 2 RTS game) where I love spending time. The game relied on a commander system to decide of the type of gameplay would be used, and the idea of exploiting the fact that each player always has a favorite, came up the idea – first as a joke – to turn these commanders into Dating sim-type game characters. I decided to take the idea seriously for two reasons.

First reason was that I found myself proficient writing out stories, and that’s a side activity I always liked for it permitted me to put down much ideas boiling in my head. Even as a French native speaker, I developed my English writing skills and the idea of writing out an entire VN story – or part of it – was an idea that thrilled me.

The second reason was the aspect of project management. As the game started, I was just beginning my engineering school curriculum, and project leading is a aspect that passionates me just as much. Rich of a three year long experience, I now study game design to complete my set of skills and deliver the best quality product.

I was personally inspired by a Visual Novel myself; I read Katawa Shoujo and really appreciated the way disability – a usually touchy subject – was approached under the format of a dating sim. Interested in World War 2 through gaming, I liked the idea of bringing up the subject of the war, following the same format of story.

Plans and the future for this project

After so many details, I wish to speak about the future I imagine for this project. While the roadmap became quite unclear, I still verse as much time as I can into that project, it just advances at its own rythm and will follow this course alongside the whole development process. The objective of this first part of the game is to be released as a 10$ game on Steam (supporters will be granted a digital artbook to thank them for their tremendous support).

Who is working on the project ?

Robertoz, lead developer, in charge mainly of leading the project, and some of the writing and programming. Aspiring game designer, has interests in war subjects, but also sciences, writing, and since a few years project leading.

Carlin Michel, writer of the final version of the game, very largely revamped but coherent with the events of the demo version.

ChiyoKyokane, artist, who is making the character designs. Originally Polish, she is studying in the UK for an Illustration and Animation degree. Don't forget to check out her works on her social networks in this DevLog.

Ruderoo, artist, currently in charge of all the backgrounds. His realistic drawing style fits perfectly the context of the story and the game.

Cyrus Palma, musician, creating the soundtrack of the game. A professional musician, he lives his passion at its fullest, here is his website.

The version available for download is a demonstration version, using assets from all previously named partners, as well as the next ones. It's a story that is not final, but gives a good idea of the ambiance of the game. Here is those who worked on it as well :

LittlerMary, artist, working as well on the game characters. Freelance illustrator and tattoo artist from Brazil, and fond of art since her childhood. As well for her, don't forget to check out her Instagram.

Bubba, professional writer, working on the story structure and storytelling. From Romania, he delivers high quality texts that always make their effects! You can check out his writings or contact him for comissions (see this DevLog).

Olinoil, writer, working on the storytelling. Australian student fond of writing, he is willing to share stories he'll be proud to show off. 

Nauzz, community manager, helping me manage the communication on this project. Story driven games lover from South America, he is also passionate about music. 

Much people have also participated to the project, some from its mere beginnings :

Eugen, Pr0fesor, Kenki, Wonszur, dertafors, Book Horse, SoftTree, Tomato Juice that did partake in the character, game, and story designing with their precious suggestions.