Scarlet Hollow: Episode 1

About

Scarlet Hollow: Episode 1 is a single player casual role playing game with a horror theme. It was developed by Black Tabby Games and was released on September 25, 2020. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

The free-to-play first episode of a horror-mystery game with dark humor and hand-drawn art from award-winning graphic novelist Abby Howard.

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Single-Player

+10

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 625 reviews

story128 positive mentions

monetization6 negative mentions

The art style is beautiful and captivating, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
The writing is engaging, with a perfect blend of humor and horror that keeps players invested in the story.
The character traits system adds depth and replayability, allowing players to explore different dialogue options and outcomes.

Some players found the pacing slow, with limited interactivity in certain scenes.
There are occasional typos and awkward dialogue choices that can detract from the immersion.
The game is currently episodic, leaving players wanting more after completing the first chapter.

story
279 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
53%
1%
The story of "Scarlet Hollow" is widely praised for its engaging and immersive narrative, blending horror elements with humor and character-driven choices that significantly impact the plot. Players appreciate the intricate art style and atmospheric soundtrack, which enhance the storytelling experience, while the customizable character traits add depth and replayability. Overall, the game sets a compelling foundation in its first episode, leaving players eager for future installments to explore the unfolding mysteries and character dynamics.
- “Scarlet Hollow is a standout title in the genre of narrative-driven adventure games, offering a compelling story, memorable characters, and immersive atmosphere.”
- “The story both creeps you out (in a good way) and pulls you in; there are a lot of choices, and the first episode already introduced impressive branching because of them.”
- “The story is captivating, and the artwork is friggen gorgeous.”
- “The story though could be something in the next episodes, but I'm not sure whether I want to commit to the rest of them yet, since this one didn't really rock my boat.”
- “Guess I just found the first playthrough boring story-wise enough to not bother to play again.”
- “But if you only sometimes play this genre (like me), then this story did not bring me in.”
graphics
124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
33%
2%
The graphics in this game receive a wide range of feedback, with many praising the beautiful, intricate art style and atmospheric visuals that enhance the horror theme. Players appreciate the haunting soundtrack and how the artwork complements the narrative, creating an immersive experience. However, some users find the graphics mediocre or not to their taste, indicating a divide in personal preferences regarding the art style.
- “The art style is gorgeous and intricate, and the soundtrack is so nice; both really push that quaint yet eerie small town vibe that fits so well with the story.”
- “Everything from the writing and visuals to the audio just ooze quality.”
- “The artwork is top-notch, with characters that move and react in expressive ways - something not every visual novel is able to do - and I was really captivated by the start of the mystery.”
- “This is a mildly horror themed choose your own adventure where the choices barely matter, the artwork is mediocre and the writing is worse.”
- “First of all, I didn't like the artwork at all.”
- “Just weird, like really crappy artwork.”
music
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
31%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its haunting and immersive qualities that perfectly complement the art style and narrative. The soundtrack is described as beautiful, atmospheric, and well-integrated into the gameplay, effectively setting the mood for both eerie and emotional moments. Overall, the combination of music, sound design, and visuals creates a captivating experience that draws players into the game's world.
- “The aesthetic, soundtrack, art style, and writing were all top tier.”
- “The music and sound design do a great job of making you feel relaxed, uneasy, and downright terrified throughout the game and is honestly one of my favorite aspects.”
- “The hand-drawn art by Abby Howard lends so much character and life to the visual novel experience, and the music, sound design, and characters combined with it create such a rich atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is downright creepy and the music is as well.”
- “I don't really like music in my games so I can't say about that.”
- “Music gave me vague X-Files vibes.”
atmosphere
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
27%
4%
The atmosphere in "Scarlet Hollow" is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, enhanced by beautiful hand-drawn art and a captivating soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a sense of unease and intrigue from the outset, with a blend of humor and horror that enriches the narrative experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as compelling, atmospheric, and integral to its storytelling, making it a standout in the genre of narrative-driven adventure games.
- “Scarlet Hollow is a standout title in the genre of narrative-driven adventure games, offering a compelling story, memorable characters, and immersive atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere that the entire game creates pulled me in, instantly, and I was really upset that the game was only the first chapter.”
- “The art, music, and sound design are all stellar and create a real sense of place and atmosphere despite the limited budget.”
- “The atmosphere is chilling and the story is deeply compelling.”
- “The atmosphere from the very get-go is chilling, and it's always just impossible to get wholly comfortable, as if spider-legs are constantly dancing across your skin and you can't quite shrug them off.”
- “Some characters look better than others, but I'll reiterate, it is a serious mood killer for a game that otherwise has a bleak, dark atmosphere, to throw characters in front of you that look like they're wearing a rubber mask.”
humor
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and well-timed delivery, effectively balancing moments of levity with darker themes. Players appreciate the quirky dialogue, funny character interactions, and the seamless integration of humor into the overall narrative, making it both engaging and entertaining. The combination of spooky atmosphere and comedic elements creates a unique experience that resonates with fans of both horror and humor.
- “It's funny, clever, heartwarming, heart-wrenching, comforting, discomforting, layered, simple, interesting, and a bunch of other positive and contradictory adjectives!”
- “Gorgeous art, incredible atmosphere, and really excellent, quirky writing that buffers its sometimes oppressive atmosphere with surprising moments of levity and humor.”
- “The perfect mix of horror and humor!”
gameplay
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
75%
11%
The gameplay of the visual novel is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the engaging story, character traits, and meaningful choices that enhance replayability, others criticize it for being overly reliant on poorly written dialogue and lacking substantial gameplay mechanics. The integration of roleplaying elements and a natural learning curve for mechanics are praised, but the overall experience can feel more like clicking through text than traditional gameplay.
- “It was nothing short of incredible, blending some very strong visual novel roleplaying mechanics, excellent dialogue, and a deliciously creepy story that hits just the right notes for me.”
- “Mechanics-wise, the traits system opens up a whole new level of roleplay and each trait can be extremely useful in certain situations and alters how you interact with the world of Scarlet Hollow in fun ways.”
- “From a gameplay perspective, the art is great, the choices are meaningful, and picking different traits makes things feel different.”
- “As an advertisement for a visual/interactive novel, this doesn't feature any notable gameplay; it's just a lot of clicking through badly written dialogue that would never have been accepted or published in print, which poses the question, 'how did something this badly written end up on Steam?'”
- “I got this thinking there would be more gameplay and at first I was kind of disappointed that it's mostly just clicking through dialogue.”
- “It's a visual novel, and the gameplay sticks to that formula.”
replayability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
41%
18%
The game boasts high replayability, enhanced by a robust trait system and branching choices that significantly alter gameplay and story outcomes. Players appreciate the ability to customize characters and explore different narrative paths, making each playthrough feel unique and engaging. Overall, the combination of well-crafted writing and diverse options ensures that players are eager to revisit the game for new experiences.
- “The trait system adds tons of replayability, not to mention there are some unique options only available to certain trait combinations.”
- “Together, these features make Scarlet Hollow really unique within the story-rich games scene, as well as adding way more replayability than you might expect from a visual novel.”
- “The writing is sharp, the art and the music set the creepy tone beautifully, and the selectable character abilities give it a ton of replay value.”
- “The branching choices and the available character traits (mystical, keen eye, book smart, strength, etc.) add replay value.”
emotional
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
93%
20%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a rich and layered narrative that balances humor, heartfelt moments, and horror, creating a unique and engaging experience. Players appreciate the depth of dialogue options that evoke a wide range of feelings, from comfort to discomfort, while the beautifully crafted artwork enhances the emotional journey. However, some find the emotional complexity overwhelming, likening it to navigating a tumultuous social landscape.
- “It's funny, clever, heartwarming, heart-wrenching, comforting, discomforting, layered, simple, interesting, and a bunch of other positive and contradictory adjectives!”
- “This game is seriously funny, heartfelt, and beautifully crafted.”
- “On top of this, the game is beautifully composed. I love Abby's illustrations, and the writing is well thought out and has a wonderful emotional flow for the player, balancing the creeping dread of the unknown with more immediate and shocking events.”
- “I found the first playthrough boring story-wise, enough that I didn't feel motivated to play again.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters was lacking, making it hard to connect with their struggles.”
- “I expected a gripping narrative, but the emotional moments fell flat and felt forced.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of Scarlet Hollow — episode 1 has been criticized as it is perceived more as an advertisement for an e-book than a standalone game, offering minimal gameplay and poorly written dialogue. Reviewers express frustration at its presence on Steam, suggesting that players are better off seeking actual content rather than what feels like a promotional tool.
- “Scarlet Hollow — Episode 1 is not a game; it's not even an e-book. It's an advertisement for an e-book that's been dumped on Steam masquerading as a game.”
- “As an advertisement for a visual/interactive novel, this doesn't feature any notable gameplay. It's just a lot of clicking through badly written dialogue that would never have been accepted or published in print, which poses the question, 'How did something this badly written end up on Steam?'”
- “But this isn't even the e-book; it's just an advertisement/the first chapter.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development is praised for its depth and diversity, with characters designed to be visually striking and imbued with personality. Reviewers appreciate the time invested in developing these individuals, noting that their rich backgrounds enhance immersion, although some suggest that hiring specialized character designers could further elevate this aspect. Overall, the characters are depicted with care, contributing positively to the game's narrative experience.
- “Environments are rich with detail and every character design pops with personality.”
- “The characters are diverse and very interesting, and portrayed with so much love and care, and the character designs are gorgeous.”
- “I feel that a simple fix for this would have been to hire out the character design role, both to free up Abby's hands for the exquisite background design and to dramatically increase the immersion.”
- “I can tell that the character development is building for a number of these individuals, and I like that a lot of time was spent there.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the grinding aspect of visual novels and e-books tedious, likening it to a frustrating experience where progress is slowed by the need to click through text rather than enjoying a seamless reading experience. Many express that the time investment required for grinding feels excessive, suggesting that it could take a "second life" to fully engage with the content.
- “Visual novels/e-books are tedious at best... imagine the best novel you ever read, be that Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or 2001: A Space Odyssey or Twilight (if you have terrible taste in literature), but then translate that to a format where the words dribble out and you have to click your mouse every time you want to read the next sentence, instead of just turning the pages.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Scarlet Hollow: Episode 1 is a casual role playing game with horror theme.

Scarlet Hollow: Episode 1 is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

Scarlet Hollow: Episode 1 was released on September 25, 2020.

Scarlet Hollow: Episode 1 was developed by Black Tabby Games.

Scarlet Hollow: Episode 1 has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its monetization.

Scarlet Hollow: Episode 1 is a single player game.

Similar games include Scarlet Hollow, Wood and Flesh: A Candleforth short story, Dark Lord, The Demons Told Me to Make This Game, The Innsmouth Case and others.

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