About MC and V0.6 - 2025/10/24 - DEVLOG#24

Hey everyone! First week after version 0.55’s release — time for a small check-in. We’ll be addressing the MC “problems” and what’s planned for 0.6

On the “Weak & Whiny MC”

I’ve seen a few comments about the main character’s personality, so let’s clear that up. Yes — he’s weak right now. Broken, even. That’s intentional.

Rise of the Monarch isn’t about starting strong. It’s about earning that strength — piece by piece, through pain, loss, and the people who stay by your side.

I get that it might frustrate some players, but I like long character development, and that’s exactly what I’m doing here. The same goes for the rest of the cast — everyone will grow at their own pace. There’s no need to rush. ROTM is meant to be a very long story, and we have all the time in the world to build it properly.

The MC’s evolution is meant to be gradual — not rushed, not forced. The fall has already happened; now we’re watching the climb. He’s not meant to be the perfect hero — not yet. But that’s the point: the story is about becoming one.

If you prefer the “strong from the start” type, you won’t find that here — but give him a bit more time. You’ll see the shift coming. 

 And when Ryu arrives in a few updates… that’s when the real deal begins.

Looking Ahead – Version 0.6

Work on 0.6 is going at a good pace — and yes, this one’s going to be huge. It’ll pick up right after the emotional tone of 0.55 — the calm before the storm — and push the main story forward again.

Here’s what’s currently in progress:

• ✍️ Writing – the main script for 0.6 is already fully written; it includes a new region, new characters, and the first experiments with the new image composition style.
• 💫 Art direction – refining the color palette and lighting for the new environments. Expect a darker, more ethereal tone this time.
• 🎬 Blender & animation – I’ve been experimenting with animated content for a few weeks now. It’s hard, as always, but I’m finally starting to get the hang of it.

0.6 will take place outside Devoh, and several characters will go through major changes.

And as 0.6 will be huge in terms of content, I think I can go ahead and give a few teasing renders, one for each devlog.

Here’s the first one:

Closing words

The feedback on 0.55 has been great — both the praise and the criticism. Every bit of it helps shape Rise of the Monarch into something stronger.

The next few weeks will be all about renders, polishing, and pushing the story forward. Thank you for the patience, the trust, and for believing in this long road ahead.

See you soon. 

— ZephyrA