Scarlet Hollow, developed by Black Tabby Games, is a survival horror visual novel, a genre I'm very unfamiliar with, good for gamers that crave an interactive experience in their story-rich games. With four chapters released so far and the promise of more to come, the game has already made a significant impact, blending psychological tension with a rich narrative. This review contains slight spoilers but nothing that will detract from your experience.

My Experience:
As someone who typically enjoys interactive dramas more than traditional visual novels, I was initially skeptical about diving into Scarlet Hollow. However, the game quickly dispelled any doubts. Despite being a visual novel, I found myself deeply engaged. The story, while not entirely new, is compelling: you visit the town of Scarlet Hollow, once run by your family, to attend your aunt Pearlanne’s funeral and stay with your cousin, Tabitha. Over the course of a week, you’re free to explore the town and interact with its inhabitants, all while a dark mystery unfolds.

What I loved:
The art in Scarlet Hollow is nothing short of impressive, especially considering the small team behind it. From what I've gathered on Twitter, one person is responsible for most of the drawings, with occasional help on animations. But what really elevates the game is its sound design. It’s one of the most underrated features, enhancing the narrative and standing out in key scenes, like the seance's railroad scene and the Tommyknocker encounter in the mines. The sound design in these moments is so effective that it gave me chills every time.

Standout Feature:
One of the standout features of Scarlet Hollow is how your decisions truly matter. In many choice-driven games, multiple paths often lead to the same outcome, making the choices feel less impactful. Not so in Scarlet Hollow. Characters adapt to your decisions in meaningful ways. Explore every dialogue option, and some characters will see you as open; choose fewer options, and you might be viewed as passive. Even seemingly minor actions, like skipping a shower, can affect how other characters perceive you. These choices don’t just alter dialogue—they can completely change the course of your game. Like any game, there are mandatory events. Your actions leading up to the event, can influence who is present at them, and there are plenty of optional events you can skip, further personalizing your experience.

Areas for Improvement:
If I had to pinpoint an area where Scarlet Hollow could improve, it would be the balance of its trait system. Before starting the game, you can choose two character traits that influence how events play out. While these traits add depth to the gameplay, they seem unevenly balanced for a survival horror game. Some traits are clearly better suited for ensuring your survival, while others enhance immersion but might not help you survive the week. This imbalance does make for interesting combinations on a second playthrough, but it could be frustrating for players looking for a more consistent experience.

Target Audience:
Scarlet Hollow isn’t for everyone. It’s a perfect fit for fans of visual novels and immersive storytelling. However, even those who enjoy adventure RPGs might find something to love here. If you’re looking for traditional “gameplay” or open-world exploration, this might not be the game for you.

Unique Elements:
One of the most unique aspects of Scarlet Hollow is its replayability. I usually don’t replay games unless there’s a significant update, but I found myself revisiting Scarlet Hollow multiple times. Completing the currently available episodes unlocks a “hardcore mode,” where you can choose three traits but can’t rely on them to save you from the consequences of your choices. I’ve played this mode several times, experimenting with different traits and decisions, and each playthrough felt fresh, even though I knew the mandatory events. On my third playthrough, I even encountered three new characters I hadn’t met in the first two.

Overall Impression:
Overall, Scarlet Hollow has been a positive experience, and I highly recommend it. While Black Tabby Games is perhaps better known for their larger project, Slay the Princess, Scarlet Hollow is a strong title in its own right. It’s been one of my favorite games to let’s play on my YouTube channel , and I’m eagerly anticipating the release of the upcoming episodes.

This game is truly super enjoyable to play and feels like it has so many different routes it could go. Im keeping myself to one playthrough right now to keep my timeline and understanding of the story i chose straight but im excited for what lies ahead of us. The updates have been informative and i was able to see where the game stands for future progress. Im glad that the creators prioritize their mental health and also the games while working through the creation process. (also glad they hopefully arent making 5$ or less anymore per hour on this game, as they said it was fully funded now). I hope this game gets all the recognition it deserves on full release or really at any point in time. you can see all the effort that was put into it so far and im looking forward to more C: . I am excited for episode 5 to hopefully release in 2025 like they have estimated, but if it takes longer i honestly dont think id mind too terribly much. Quality over quantity.

its good vn game. so many choices and options like ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.