During the COVID-19 lockdown, Gen Urobuchi, the creator of NetEase’s Rusty Rabbit, took the opportunity to create a 2.5D Metroidvania game as a way to express himself and cope with the situation. While many were engaging in different activities, Urobuchi immersed himself in the world of adorable, gruff-voiced bunnies inheriting the Earth after humans abandoned it.
In an interview during Anime Expo 2024, Digital Trends spoke with Urobuchi, game producer Yuichiro Saito, and voice actor Takaya Kuroda about the creative process behind the quirky game and how it helped Urobuchi navigate the pandemic.
Rabbit Revolution
Rusty Rabbit narrates the tale of rabbits becoming the dominant species on Earth post an Ice Age that led humans to leave. The rabbits stumble upon human technology and misinterpret much of it, leading to a unique and humorous storyline. Urobuchi shared that the choice of rabbits as the central theme stemmed from a drawing he saw on Twitter during the lockdown, which inspired him to experiment with Unity Engine.
Urobuchi’s vision for Rusty Rabbit as a 2.5D Metroidvania game was clear from the start to ensure players could always see the characters’ profiles. The game development process served as a therapeutic journal for Urobuchi, a departure from his usual project approach of writing around an idea. The incorporation of daily ideas and surprises into the story made the experience engaging for both the creator and players.
I think back in the day, there was this idea that being manly means being a martyr.
Notable in the game is the character Peter Rabbit, who is worshipped as a god by Earth’s rabbits, symbolizing nostalgia and simpler times. Conversely, the protagonist, Stamp, reflects a gruff persona inspired by traditional notions of masculinity. Voice actor Takaya Kuroda, known for voicing Kazuma Kiryu, found the script rich and engaging, adding depth to the character.
Stamp of Approval
In bringing Stamp to life through voice acting, Kuroda visualized the character in the recording booth akin to his portrayal of Kiryu, adding layers of authenticity to the performance. The collaboration between Urobuchi, Saito, and Kuroda, along with the detailed storyline and character development, makes Rusty Rabbit a unique and engaging project.
Rusty Rabbit launches on September 24 for PlayStation 5 and PC.
