- Developed by New Zealand indie studio Whistling Wizard × Published by Ninja Kiwi
- A supernatural Western fantasy blending Samurai Jack-esque art style with full voice acting.
- Page by page, a dark western , 360° boss battles, and an adventure with the vibe of a hand-drawn graphic novel
Rose, a once-famous outlaw gunslinger. However, one day, the soul of her daughter, Rosebud, is sealed inside a locket necklace by Envy, one of the seven deadly sins. There is only one way to retrieve her daughter: to obtain the powers of the other six sins by obeying Envy’s command.
Rose and Locket, a 2D action-adventure platformer developed by New Zealand indie studio Whistling Wizard and published by Ninja Kiwi, famous for the Bloons series, was officially released on Steam for PC and Mac on May 27 (May 26 KST).
Having garnered steady anticipation since its first reveal at PAX Australia in 2023, this indie action game combines Westerns, supernatural dark fantasy, and an emotional family narrative. Set in the Western underworld of the ‘Underwest,’ players take on the role of the legendary gunslinger Rose as she embarks on a journey to hunt down the seven deadly sins.
Hand-drawn visuals inspired by Samurai Jack, with an animated graphic novel feel.
One of the most striking features of ‘Rose and Rocket’ is its unique visual style.
According to the development team, the game’s visual presentation was directly influenced by the anime *Samurai Jack*. Bold silhouettes, intense color contrasts, and a cartoonish style permeate the entire screen, stimulating the player’s eyes. The hand-drawn animation, meticulously crafted frame by frame, completes a unique atmosphere that blurs the boundaries between games and graphic novels.
The Underwest, the setting, is also more than just a simple dark fantasy space. Each region is designed as an independent themed area symbolizing human sin. Starting with the realm of pride, the ‘Mirrorverse of Pride,’ the characteristics of each sin are infused into the overall level design, color scheme, and spatial composition, establishing a distinct visual identity for each area.
Furthermore, with the addition of full voice acting, narration, and cinematic direction, the game unfolds like a living, breathing graphic novel. Hand-drawn animation, cinematic scene composition, and an emotion-driven narrative interlock organically to create a unique sense of immersion and a powerful visual impression.
360-degree shooting, boss battles, and dazzling gunfight action… A fierce battle against the Seven Deadly Sins
The core of the gameplay unfolds as Rose descends deep into the Underwest, tracking down and eliminating Pride, Greed, Lust, Gluttony, Wrath, and Sloth in turn.
Each sin is implemented not as a simple stage boss, but as a high-speed action boss battle in the style of a 360-degree shooting gallery, featuring individual combat concepts and patterns.
Players must survive a relentless barrage of attacks by utilizing aerial evasion, precision shooting, and rapid positioning. The combat structure, combining agile movement with stylish gunfights, delivers the tension of Western gunslinger action, bullet hell, and boss rushes simultaneously.
However, Rose and Rocket is not a film that simply relies on flashy action.
As the journey follows the seven deadly sins, the truth surrounding Rose’s past and her daughter gradually unfolds, and the story takes an unexpected turn. Emphasizing the message that “things are not always what they seem,” the developers present a narrative that layers supernatural fantasy and emotional drama onto the conventions of the Western genre.
A rising star in the New Zealand indie scene who garnered attention after PAX Australia
Whistling Wizard is a New Zealand-based indie development team that places more weight on a unique art style, atmosphere, and intense thematic consciousness than on flashy technical displays. Rose & Rocket attempts to strike a balance between fast-paced action and artistic expression by combining hand-drawn animated visuals with a symbolic narrative based on human sin.
Initial reviews from international media and players are also positive. Well-Played described it as “a title we have been eagerly awaiting release for since experiencing it at PAX Australia 2023,” praising it as an impressive achievement from the New Zealand indie development scene.
Even when the demo was revealed at Steam Next Fest, it garnered attention as a highly anticipated title even before its official release, with user reactions calling it “one of the best demos played in recent years.”
Attention is focused on what impression the bizarre Western underworld crafted with hand-drawn animation, the dark fantasy narrative that delves into the abyss following the seven deadly sins, and the breathless, high-speed gun action will leave on players. All eyes are on whether ‘Rose and Rocket,’ a game where gunshots, madness, salvation, and corruption are intertwined, can establish itself as a new sensation in the New Zealand indie scene.
Information regarding ‘Rose and Locket’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Whistling Wizard (New Zealand) |
| Publisher | Ninja Kiwi (Auckland, New Zealand / Developer of the Bloons series) |
| Genre | 2D Action Adventure Platformer / Western Fantasy |
| Release platform | PC·Mac (Steam) |
| Release date | May 27, 2026 (May 26, Korea time) |
| Art style | Hand-drawn Animation / Graphic Novel / Samurai Jack Inspiration |
| Core gameplay | 360° Shooting Gallery Boss Battle / Acrobatic Gunsling / Seven Deadly Sins Hunt |
| characteristic | Full voice acting and narration / Cinematic set pieces |
| Public history | First unveiled at PAX Australia 2023 |
| inspiration | Samurai Jack / Classic Comics Aesthetics |
| Main Keywords | Western, Underworld, Gunslinger, Seven Deadly Sins, Boss Battle, Hand Draw, Graphic Novel |
| Official Channel | X(@WWGAMINGNZ) · YouTube · Instagram · TikTok · Discord |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
