Scarlet Hollow

Branching horror visual novel about a supernatural mountain-town mystery

Black Tabby Games · Released Jun 11, 2021 · Early Access

Adventure Casual Indie RPG Early Access

Reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive; 98% of 5,305
Recent reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive; 98% of 109 in 30 days
Playing now: 55; right now
Steam Deck: Verified
Last update: 1 week ago; Sep 12, 2026

Free demo available, 1 playing it now: get the demo.

Metacritic: 91/100 (critic reviews)

What is Scarlet Hollow?

A single-player horror mystery visual novel set in rural North Carolina. You choose traits and dialogue, investigate supernatural incidents, and shape relationships during an episodic week-long visit that begins with a family funeral. It remains in Early Access.

For you if...

+you like replaying stories to uncover alternate scenes and outcomes
+you prefer dread and disturbing imagery without jump scares
+you want romance to be optional rather than required

Not for you if...

−you want a finished story with its ending available
−you prefer fast pacing over dialogue and social scenes

What players say

98% of 5,305 reviews are positive · 98% of 109 in the last 30 days

Players praise the writing, hand-drawn art, unsettling atmosphere, and the dialogue and scene variations created by different traits and decisions. Complaints center on the long development schedule and unfinished story, while some recent players say Episode 5 feels rushed, reduces their agency, and handles a character's reaction to they/them pronouns poorly.