You’re here to slay the princess. Don’t believe her lies. When one thinks of visual novels, it’s usually walls of text and pngs that come to mind. They aren’t for everyone, yet there are plenty that far go above that description. Slay the Princess is one such visual novel, crafting a deviously clever branching narrative outwards. And it’s definitely turned some heads, having sold over on million copies since it’s launch back in 2023!
It’s incredible hard to describe it without spoiling, and yet even spoiling the game would require more context. Like the games narrator, you’ll have to take my word for it. Slay the Princess is a branching psychological horror game where you’re asked to decide the fate of a princess. All that is known is if you don’t slay her, the world will end. Lead by a coy Narrator, the game soon twists around you as questions linger the deeper you go. With a fully-voiced script, it’s hard not to fall into the games hand drawn art style that feels frantic yet gorgeous and detailed in its own way.
So what’s Black Tabby Games up to now?
While it might seem that Slay the Princess is the studios first game, they actually were working on another project prior to the games release. The studio was already working on Scarlet Hollow – an episodic visual novel that originally earned over $80k USD through Kickstarter. Due to its scale though the devs switched to a smaller game in the hopes that would fund further development on their first game. A switch that has definitely payed off.
Black Tabby Games co-founder, Tony Howard-Arias said:
“We’re immeasurably grateful for the outstanding reception Slay the Princess has received, and for the opportunity to have made something that has connected to so many people. I hope its success serves as a reminder that visual novels are a serious medium that can hold their own among even the most well funded and resourced games being made today, and we hope that the remainder of Scarlet Hollow continues to send that message.” says Tony Howard-Arias, “Episode 5 isn’t just the culmination of an enormous amount of work, but of years of cultivation and growth as artists. We can’t wait to take all of you further along on our journey.”
With the first four episodes out now, Scarlet Hollow also recently hit 100,000 copies sold on the eve of its fifth episode launching on Friday, February 13th. Set in a fully mapped out town, the game lets you choose your path thanks in no small part to its deep branching narrative and accompanying traits system. If you crave paranormal happenings or maybe a touch of romance then Scarlet Hollow is a game you need on your radar. Unlike horror that relies on cheap scares, here the tension builds and your choices have consequence’s.
With episode 5 looming, we’re still a ways off from the final episodes. In the meantime there’s plenty of playthroughs to sink into across the game. It’s definitely clear why the developers shifted to make Slay the Princess, given the depth of the game so far.
As someone who typically avoids visual novels, Black Tabby Games laughs at those stereotypes and makes the format its own in every way. If you’re eager for something unlike anything you’ve ever played before, this is for you.
Slay the Princess is out now on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Scarlet Hollow is out now in Early Access on Steam, with episode five releasing February 13, with a free demo of episode one also available.
