Slay the Princess is a visual novel horror game created by Black Tabby Games. In the game, there are three primary characters: The Narrator, The Main Character, and the Princess. Additionally, there are the Voices. These Voices are reflections of the Main Character and grow in number as the story continues. The Main Character is guided by the Narrator to slay the Princess, as the title suggests, but the player has choices they can make. These choices drive the story and greatly influence the type of character the Princess and Main Character become. With each choice, a new world is discovered.
While a lot of other games claim that the choices of characters influence the outcome, Slay the Princess takes it one step further. Each choice, regardless of how minor it might seem, does in fact influence the story. The interactions that the player gets out of both the Narrator and Princess are heavily decided by the players choices. In fact, the very first choice made when interacting the Princess decides her personality. It truly feels that the player is controlling the character and the narrative in this game. A big part of the story is that the Main Character is in a time loop where, every time he dies, they reset. However, the choices he made before he died is also remembered by the Princess. These choices also reflect in the world itself, more specifically the Cabin and the Princess. Each choice has a domino effect. Up until a point, that is. As, when the Main Character finishes a story, his and the Princess’ memories are wiped and they return to the start.
Black Tabby Games is a small indie company, and it shows in the care and dedication they put into this game. As someone that played the game since the demo came out, it was clear from the beginning that this was a passion project. The voice acting is remarkable. The Princess has one voice actor but each iteration of the Princess that a player can meet has a distinct voice. A chill ran down my spine the first time I chose to make the Princess an enemy, as her voice was very different from the Princess I had met originally. The voices of the Main Character are also voiced, by a singular person, but each different voice has a distinct personality and tone. Every voice actor brought life to their characters, with the emotions portrayed able to truly be felt.
On top of that, the art style is beautiful. It enhances the horror aspect of this game, with each version of the Princess and Cabin feeling truly unique and horror-like. The only vivid color in the game is red, usually seen in blood. This creates a more grizzly and horror-like vibe to the art style. It draws attention to the gore in various scenes. The unease players feel upon these scenes are purposeful, to make them wonder if they made the right choice. The longer I played, watching things unfold before my eyes based upon my own choices, made me even more cautious with the choices I made.
Slay the Princess and the Black Tabby Games team truly deserve even more recognition they’ve already gained. The game is masterfully done in all aspects, including but not limited to the storytelling itself. Slay the Princess is available to download on Steam as well as from Black Tabby Games.
What do you think? Does Slay the Princess deserve more recognition? Would you download the game? Let us know in the comments below or join the Boss Rush Discord to continue the conversation!
Featured Image Credit: Black Tabby Games (via PCGamesN)
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