Opinion: AK loves the mix in this visual novel adventure—horror and folklore meet dating simulator and role-playing game. And a pug is the cherry on top.
If I can talk to a pug in a game, then I simply have to have it. If, as in Scarlet Hollow, I get an exciting horror mystery set in a run-down mining town, decisions that actually affect the game, versatile skills, and dating mechanics, then all the better.
In this adventure, a short trip to the mountains of North Carolina, where I actually just want to help my cousin with her mother’s funeral, turns into a nightmare. And that’s despite the fact that everything was relatively peaceful in the sleepy little town until my arrival.
Sure, so many people died in an accident in the coal mine years ago that the mine had to be sealed off. A house is haunted by ghosts. And civil engineering companies are getting rich because here, really, everyone has a skeleton in their closet…
There’s always a little shrinkage
But isn’t that how it is in every small town? A little loss is always there? Cows. Coal. Children… When it comes to horror, Scarlet Hollow delivers, but at its core, it remains an adventure game. There are no chase scenes that get your pulse racing because there’s a jump scare lurking around every corner.
But it doesn’t need them. There are no zombies – effective, but almost too often seen. Instead, the tension rises slowly but steadily, and the monster parade, inspired by legends and folklore from the Appalachians, is finally something fresher than the eighteenth vampire this month.
Without giving too much away: Tony and Abby, the two devs behind Black Tabby Games, also developed Slay the Princess, so you can expect a clever narrative, dark humor, many predictable and surprising twists, and a healthy dose of horror. And… love.
Because while I’m trying to figure out what’s hunting cattle (and the pug!) in the woods at night, I get to meet several potential love interests. The relationship system isn’t just a nice bonus, it has a noticeable effect on the story – and provides really exciting and diverse candidates.
The Steam page describes it quite well: “Whether you’re into goths, dads, paranormal investigators, mysterious hermits, lo-fi beats for studying and watering plants, or real monsters, we have something for everyone.”
Move over, Ethan Winters
And if that’s not enough for you: instead of a stoic, faceless main character (looking at you, Ethan Winters!), I can play the person I want to be with the RPG-inspired dialogue options. Misanthrope, ray of sunshine, serene cynic: there’s something for everyone here.
And with the special abilities I choose at the very beginning of the game, I specialize my protagonist even further. I don’t want to give too much away, but one of the options is “talk to animals,” which has led to the pug saving my life at least once.
Scarlett Hollow is currently still in early access because it is being released in episodes. Four of them are already playable, and number five is currently in production. It is not yet clear how many there will be in total. However, there is also a demo on Steam so you can decide for yourself whether the game is for you. Unfortunately, there is currently no German translation.
Important note: If you don’t want any spoilers, don’t look too closely at the Steam page, as some of the images could spoil the shock moments later in the game.
