New Enemy - Gulyabani: Unleashing Fear in Old Istanbul


The visual inspiration for this menacing enemy came from my childhood nightmares. I vividly remember a Turkish movie called "Süt Kardeşler" that used to play on TV. It featured a terrifying old giant who haunted me during those late-night hours. Drawing upon Hüseyin Rahmi Gürpınar's novel and the ancient myth of Gulyabani, I wanted to bring this eerie figure into the world of my prototype.

Süt Kardesler (1976) - IMDb

Süt Kardeşler filmi konusu ve oyuncuları: Süt Kardeşler filmi kaç yılında  ve nerede çekildi? -


To make Gulyabani truly unique, I decided to go beyond the traditional depictions found in movies or myth books. In the context of an old Istanbul set in the Ottoman era, I envisioned a bald and imposing figure with olive skin. He carries a gas lamp that casts an eerie glow on his face, illuminating his terrifying features. Clutching a gigantic knife with a large scale, his attire consists of a long navy blue dress over a white shirt. His massive hands nearly touch the ground due to his hunchbacked posture. Distinctive yellow round earrings adorn his ears, and his beard extends down to his knees. His legs are broken, causing his feet to face in the opposite direction, resulting in slow yet steadfast movements.

Gulyabani - Vikipedi

Although I couldn't draw a concept myself or hire a professional concept artist due to budget constraints, I utilized Photoshop AI to slowly edit an old image of Gulyabani from a movie. This makeshift concept art helped me convey my vision to my talented pixel artist, who immediately understood my descriptions.


The result of our collaboration is a formidable enemy akin to the Church Giant in Bloodborne. Gulyabani moves slowly but packs a devastating blow with his enormous bread knife. 


Just one hit from him spells certain death.

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