Scarlet Hollow is an immersive horror-mystery visual novel defined by its sharp writing and impactful choices. Your journey begins as you arrive in the dead-end town of Scarlet Hollow for your estranged aunt's funeral. What was meant to be a short trip to comfort your long-lost cousin quickly spirals into a nightmare. The sleepy town is plagued by horrors: a coal mine sealed off after a deadly collapse, strange creatures preying on livestock, and houses infested with vengeful spirits.
Your goal is to survive for one week. During that time, you must navigate the town's mysteries and try to get to the bottom of the horrifying events before they claim your life. The game features a heavily branching narrative where the relationships you forge and the decisions you make will dramatically alter your journey. You won't be able to save everyone.
A key feature of Scarlet Hollow is its trait-based dialogue and role-playing system. At the beginning of the game, you select traits for your character—such as being "Quiet and Observant," "Hot and Clueless," or even having the ability to "Talk to Animals." These 21 different character builds fundamentally change how you interact with the world and how your story unfolds. This is complemented by a dynamic relationship system that reacts to your every choice, allowing for complex outcomes like friendly rivals or bitter adversaries, not just simple like or dislike.
The game also features optional romance with a diverse cast of characters, but your story will not be any less complete if you choose to avoid it entirely. With its deep customization and consequential choices, Scarlet Hollow offers a unique and replayable narrative experience.