AV Club investigates the haunting revelations of the fifth episode of Scarlet Hollow, the award-winning gothic horror narrative developed by Black Tabby Games (Slay the Princess).
After almost four years between updates, the fifth of seven planned episodes of Scarlet Hollow is finally out. The delay is understandable. After releasing the third episode in 2022, Black Tabby Games took a detour and put out cult hit Slay The Princess the following year. That game’s success introduced a new audience to the Hollow.
Scarlet Hollowhas an attention to detail that many games like it don’t attempt to muster. Here is one example. At the end of episode four, if the player sleeps with Stella, Tabitha’s childhood friend and cryptid YouTuber, she can accompany them to the “forbidden wing” of the Scarlet Manor in episode five. Upon discovering multiple disturbing secrets, they can resolve to confront Tabitha. However, upon arriving at Tabitha’s office at the Scarlet mines, Stella talks over the player character. Her excitability, and her friendship with Tabitha, ruin any chance at putting things delicately, and as a result Tabitha calls the cops. Stella is a being outside of the player’s own wants. Trusting her has consequences.
Prepare for the coming conclusions in Scarlet Hollow’s final major story update, The Final Chapters, to be revealed at a later date. Take a breath of fresh Appalachian air and step off the bus back into your hometown of Scarlet Hollow, North Carolina, for your aunt’s funeral. Experience the horrors of a coal-mining town cursed by its own history and familial roots (yours, in particular), and navigate through dramatically different permutations of story beats, each couched in a context defined by player choice.
Check out the full article here. Check out Scarlet Hollow – Episode 5 is available as a free update on PC via Steam! Play Episode 1 on Steam for free today in the currently available demo, and continue in the full game by transferring your save file over. For more information on Scarlet Hollow, check out the official website, follow developer Black Tabby Games on Twitter and Tumblr, and join the official Discord and Reddit.
