BeforeSlay the Princess, the team at Black Tabby Games released an episodic visual novel calledScarlet Hollow. Now their previous game is getting some new life with a major update ahead of Steam’s Visual Novel Fest.
Scarlet Holloworiginally launched a couple of years beforethe gruesome twists and turnsofSlay the Princessreared their heads. With Black Tabby Gamesturning back the hands of time to 2021, the chapters that are currently available will soon have something new to offer. In addition to UI improvements, the story has been expanded and new choices have been introduced for a relaunch that’s being dubbedThe Road Untraveled.
Those returning to Scarlet Hollow, North Carolina, or checking out the Early Access release for the first time will experience a script with over 70,000 additional words. That covers the four chapters live now and more artwork from Abby Howard.
Reworking the past
Combining two character traits can shift the narrative in a variety of ways inScarlet Hollow. The new choices that emerge in the updated version bring more experience from the writers along with them. Black Tabby co-founder Tony Howard-Arias commented on the fact that Episode 1 was the team’s very first game, and how they have become better designers and writers in the years since its debut. As such, they wanted to “make its opening act more reflective of the extreme agency and deep character writing that defines the later episodes.”
As for those final episodes, they’re still on the way!Scarlet Hollowwas planned as a seven-episode story, so it’s just a matter of when. With the update paving the way for what’s to come, hopefully players won’t have to wait much longer for Episode 5. In the meantime, look for the relaunch ofScarlet Hollowto kick off on March 3. The fully reworked first episode will be available as a free demo alongside the release, and progress can be carried over to the rest of the game.
