Embracing the Absurd: An Anime-Inspired Twist on Dante’s Inferno in Gaming

Little Goody Two Shoes developer AstralShift has recently unveiled its latest game, Hell Maiden, which AstralShift claims is an “exciting” reinterpretation of Dante’s Inferno, featuring a captivating anime heroine whom I would gladly marry, if given the chance.

“L’amor che move il sole e l’altre stelle,” or “a love that moves the sun and other stars,” kicks off the teaser trailer for Hell Maiden, borrowing this sweet phrase from Paradiso, the ultimate segment of the Divine Comedy. Behind it, a throbbing purple heart is ensnared in barbed wire, holding a flickering candle.

Throughout the trailer, AstralShift showcases glimpses of what is to come in Hell Maiden rapidly, like a quivering eyeball: angels encircled by a halo soaring around the sun, a woman’s hand breaking through a white rose, and a falling star – no, a girl with fire in her gaze – descending from the heavenly snow peaks.

In other words, I’m about to lose my wits. Although AstralShift hasn’t disclosed extensive details about Hell Maiden’s narrative yet, they did provide a brief overview of the game on the new Hell Maiden Twitter account: “Remembered as a prominent poet of the Renaissance, Dante Alighieri embarks once again on a journey through the afterlife – this time, however, as one of Hell’s many wrongdoers.” In this instance, Dante is represented by the aforementioned anime lady, whose ebony hair takes the shape of an enormous bow while her attire is adorned with brass buckles.

As a woman, my deepest aspiration was to transform into a Medieval poetess wielding the powers of both virtue and wickedness. (Before that, I dreamt of being a ballerina turned mouse.) So, I am eagerly anticipating Hell Maiden to become the game that surpasses all others for me, and I can’t wait.

The Helltaker creator has a new free game featuring ghost girls instead of demon girls, and within less than a month, it has garnered over 9,000 Steam reviews at 96% positive.