Scarlet Deer Inn, a Slavic folklore-inspired platformer in which every character sprite is created through physical embroidery, has been released today on Steam. The game's distinctive approach involved roughly five years of development, combining hand-painted backgrounds with embroidered character and animal sprites, digitally enhanced with details such as facial animation, and it stands out for pairing an unusual, labour-intensive art style with tight, responsive platforming rather than letting the craft overshadow the gameplay.

Players take on the role of a mother of two who has recently moved to a medieval village to run the titular inn, beginning with everyday chores before the story darkens considerably: a quest to help the local beekeeper reveals he has been killing children, leading the protagonist into a strange underground realm populated with unsettling creatures, including a giant skeletal beast glimpsed in the trailer. A torch-management mechanic, where light must be topped up before it runs out, adds tension to the platforming. The reviewer, who played a demo, praised the tactile, tapestry-like visual effect and the surprisingly dark tone beneath the game's colourful exterior.