The Harbinger's Head

About

In "The Harbinger's Head," a headless creature accuses you of stealing its head in 1820s Ireland. As a male, female, or non-binary herbalist, schoolteacher, or lamplighter, you must uncover the truth, interacting with Fae creatures and making choices to prove your innocence. This 46,000-word interactive horror novel by Kim Berkley offers a text-based, immersive experience, where your decisions shape the story's outcome.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 28 reviews

story6 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

The game features a well-developed and immersive setting that effectively incorporates Irish folklore.
The story is unique and engaging, with choices that allow for different character interactions, particularly with the Dullahan.
The writing quality is high, making the characters feel real and the narrative enjoyable despite its short length.

The game is disappointingly short, with some players finishing it in about 15 minutes.
Character actions have little impact on the overall story, leading to a feeling of unsatisfaction with the endings.
The game may not be engaging for those unfamiliar with Irish folklore, as it sometimes expects prior knowledge of folk legends.

story
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
68%
11%
The story is praised for its intriguing and immersive setting, showcasing a unique understanding of fae folklore. However, many reviewers noted that the narrative is relatively linear and lacks character-driven depth, leading to a sense of unsatisfaction regarding player impact on the story. While the short length is seen as appealing, it may not satisfy those seeking a more complex, relationship-focused experience.
- “The story is intriguing and the setting is well developed and immersive.”
- “Unique and interesting story that's shockingly easy to get sucked into.”
- “At the heart of this game, though, is the story.”
- “Overall, I felt that the actions of my character had little impact over the course of the story, and it left me unsatisfied.”
- “- Not very character or relationship driven, with a relatively linear storyline (different approaches, but not too many drastically different outcomes aside from the ending itself).”
- “If you’re looking for a long, character-driven story where you bond with someone, this isn’t it; however, I recommend this for how well the writer understands the wee folk (the fae) and the story is fairly well written, able to pull you into the tale.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is criticized for its poor writing and lack of engaging characters, resulting in no emotional connections for players. Many reviewers felt that the choices presented were uninteresting and that the overall experience was disappointingly brief.
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
Players express a desire for additional content but appreciate the option to explore different paths, indicating a potential for replayability. However, some users suggest that their overall experience may depend on future playthroughs to fully assess the game's replay value.
- “I feel like I want more to read, but I know I can go back and take a different path, which adds to the replay value.”
- “I feel like I want more to read, but I know I can go back and take a different path. I'll update this review if I feel like it doesn't have replay value.”
- “I feel like I want more to read, but I know I can go back and take a different path. I'll update this review if I feel like it doesn't have replay value.”