Visual novels come in a plethora of genres designed to attract players that are here for the story. The Horror genre is no exception and there are plenty of scary visual novels to play this Halloween season.
Known for their enriching stories and captivating art, visual novels are a textual narrative with animated or still pictures with varying degrees of intractability. It is a type of video game that is more popular with casual gamers who love a good plot with a dash of puzzle mixed in. These scary visual novels are packed with stories that will keep players on edge.
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Corps Factory
Ordering death has never been so easy. Corps Factory is set in terror-filled Tokyo, Japan where requesting someone’s death is made simple thanks to an obscure webpage known as Corps Girl’s Website. Right before a person’s death, they are sent a picture of their own corpse with a future time stamp attached. Players follow the story of Noriko Kurosawa, who is not the typical innocent protagonist found in visual novels.
This title gives gamers stunning art and fantastic storytelling as it delves deep into the ramifications of untreated mental illnesses and other psychological conditions. Corps Factory contains many twists where players will least expect them. Choices will be made, leading to the four possible endings and the ultimate repercussions.
Spirit Hunter: Death Mark
Mysterious and grotesque marks have been appearing on people, signaling a person’s impending death in Spirit Hunter: Death Mark. The protagonist, with unfortunate memory loss, is sent to a mansion where those who have been marked are protected. It is the player’s job as the protagonist to solve the mysteries behind these marks while staying alive as the countdown to their death looms.
Spirit Hunter: Death Mark contains multiple puzzles that players must complete as the truth behind the marks is slowly revealed throughout the game. Visual and auditory effects are added to keep gamers paranoid and immersed, creating a terrifying ambiance. This is a mystery game jam packed with clues to find, riddles to solve, and ghosts to hunt.
Spirit Hunter: NG
Spirit Hunter: NG is the companion game to Spirit Hunter: Death Mark, although gamers do not need to play the latter to play this game. The game centers around a protagonist searching for his sister all the while facing horrifying urban legends that aren’t just legends anymore.
Players will have to solve the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the protagonist’s sister, finding clues with the handy dandy flashlight and making choices that will kill or save the characters. This game continues the Spirit Hunter franchise’s love of unnerving sounds and stunningly creepy illustrations that will spook and captivate all who play it.
Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk and Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk
Milk Inside a Bag of Milk Inside a Bag of Milk is an indie game where the player must help a girl buy milk and they must not disappoint her. It seems easy enough until horrific anxieties comes to life. This game shows the struggles of completing little every day tasks while battling mental illness.
The Nintendo Switch version of the game contains the original and its sequel in one package. It is a smaller visual novel that uses unique illustrations, sounds, and wordplay to portray the psychological challenges of mental illness. It is a story that players can on some level relate to but maybe without the creepy monsters at the grocery store.
Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo
What if you could bring the dead back to life? Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo centers around the mystery of the Rite of Resurrection and its connection to the ghost story, The Seven Mysteries of Honjo. Characters collide as each one has their own reasons for investigating, creating a battle of wits for the truth.
Paranormasight is an award winning game that includes conducting investigations, making choices that will either kill or save the protagonist, and strategic gameplay concerning when to let loose a devastating curse that will affect other characters in the game. It has rich story telling with twists and turns and unique characters containing diverse backgrounds and motivations.
Spooky stories are a tradition for the Halloween season. These visual novels continue that tradition while creating more active involvement that gamers will enjoy. They are the perfect way to add a bit of spook into a normally soft and cozy genre.
