Scarlet Hollow: A Hauntingly Immersive Gothic Mystery

Scarlet Hollow, the award-winning episodic horror-mystery from Black Tabby Games, masterfully blends supernatural intrigue with a branching narrative. With an expanded script of over 70,000 words and stunning hand-drawn visuals from award-winning cartoonist Abby Howard, this visual novel transforms the seemingly sleepy coal-mining town of Scarlet Hollow into a labyrinth of eerie secrets and terrifying truths.

A Story That Shapes Itself Around You

One of the most compelling features of Scarlet Hollow is its character customization. Players choose two defining traits, which significantly impact the protagonist’s dialogue choices and interactions. Whether you become a muscle-bound mystic, a nerdy loner who talks to animals, or any other combination, your choices dictate how the world responds to you. This mechanic encourages replayability, allowing players to explore different narrative paths and uncover hidden layers within the story.

The game excels in its storytelling, weaving a gripping narrative filled with supernatural elements and crime-thriller undertones. Players arrive in Scarlet Hollow to attend the funeral of their late aunt, Pearlanne Scarlet, whose legacy weighs heavily on her daughter, Tabitha. As you navigate strained family dynamics, rustic locals, and vengeful spirits, every decision you make shapes the town’s fate. The story is captivating, dripping with mystery and atmosphere, making it a must-play for fans of gothic horror and crime fiction.

A Stunningly Atmospheric Experience

Visually, Scarlet Hollow is a feast for the eyes. The game seamlessly shifts between noir-inspired monochrome and vibrant color palettes, effectively setting the mood for each scene. This artistic choice enhances the storytelling, ensuring that moments of horror feel truly chilling, while glimpses of warmth and humanity shine through when needed.

The Roads Untraveled update breathes new life into the existing four chapters, adding hundreds of new illustrations and refining the already immersive experience. Every scene is meticulously crafted, bringing the town and its inhabitants to life in a way that feels deeply personal and unsettlingly real.

Gameplay: A Story-Driven Adventure

As a visual novel, Scarlet Hollow prioritizes narrative depth over traditional gameplay mechanics. The controls are simple—mainly point-and-click interactions—but the choices players make carry weight, leading to diverging storylines and meaningful consequences. The ability to save progress after each chapter allows for experimentation, letting players explore different outcomes without losing their place in the overarching story.

For those who enjoy deep, narrative-driven experiences over action-heavy gameplay, Scarlet Hollow delivers in spades. It shares similarities with visual novels like the Fate series, where player choices dictate the direction of the story rather than fast-paced gameplay elements. While some might argue that it would make an excellent novel, the interactive nature of Scarlet Hollow makes it an engrossing and unique experience that a book simply couldn’t replicate.

Final Thoughts

Scarlet Hollow is a must-play for fans of supernatural horror, mystery, and intricate storytelling. Its blend of engaging character-driven choices, breathtaking visuals, and a gripping narrative ensures that players remain hooked from start to finish. While it may not be for those who prefer action-packed gameplay, those who appreciate a rich, immersive story will find themselves captivated.

And with Black Tabby Games continuously expanding the experience, there’s no better time to step into Scarlet Hollow—if you dare.

Try the first chapter for free and see what dangers await.