American McGee blends Red Riding Hood and Diablo with Akaniero

American McGee's development studio Spicy Horse has announced its next fairy tale-turned-mature video game project: Akaniero: Demon Hunters, an action-RPG interpretation of the story of Little Red Riding Hood set in feudal Japan.

American McGee's development studio Spicy Horse has announced its next fairy tale-turned-mature video game project: Akaniero: Demon Hunters, an action-RPG interpretation of the story of Little Red Riding Hood set in feudal Japan.

Players will join a band of demon slayers called the Order of Akane, who are tasked with killing and collecting the blood of Yokai — monsters from Japanese folklore. According to Kotaku, the game features a number of artistic and narrative inspirations, including the fable of Red Riding Hood, the book The Lost Wolves of Japan and the historic events of Bakumatsu; the opening of Japan to western territories.

As seen in a screenshot released by the Akaniero Twitter page, it also features McGee's signature twisted art style, and an isometric third-person perspective reminiscent of Diablo. It will launch on PC, browsers and tablets with a beta scheduled for later this year. When it does launch, it will be free-to-play — though Spicy Horse says the game won't be "naggy," assumedly counting out constant in-game ad pop-ups, or purchasable "Huntsman Bucks."