I’ll admit it. I’m not a fan of Japanese horror films. They just don’t sit well with me. Which is why I find it strange that visual novel The Letter speaks to me. Probably in some weird Ouija fueled way. This horror game is heavily inspired by films like The Grudge and The Ring, both movies that I have never had any desire to watch. If you’re a fan then you’ll probably feel right at home here. It looks creepy and something that I’d want to stay away from. Yet I’m strangely attracted to it at the same time.
Anyway, The Letter is the story about a cursed mansion that has recently put up for sale. One of the agents from the real estate company finds a strange letter hidden away in the house and it tells her to send it to five people or else. Stupid chain letters never work…or maybe they do. At least in this case. So, five more people enter into the story as they work to stay alive and unravel this centuries-old mystery. DUN DUN DUN!
What sets The Letter apart from most other visual novels is the multiple character angle. All six friends, enemies, and frenemies are entirely playable in their own chapter. It’s up to you to decide their ongoing relationship with each other, whether they live or die, and this all dictates which of two dozen or so endings you get. If this sounds ambitious, then read on. While in traditional visual novels everything is static, here backgrounds and characters are animated. There will be quick time events and, assuming the stretch goal is reached, full motion video.
Will I back The Letter? Probably not. Will I pick it up eventually once it releases? Most likely. Because while the source material isn’t my thing horror as a whole is. At the very least I’ll try out the demo and decide from that.
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Oh wow! Horror really isn’t my thing, I think I’ll pass on this one.