A short folk horror story about the Scottish witch trials. You play the role of a witch finder. Speak to the locals and sort their truths from their lies. On the last morning a witch must hang, best you know who by then.
The hand-drawn pixel art, original soundtrack, and use of Old Scottish English dialogue transport players to the eerie, supernatural setting of a small Scottish village during the witch trials. Reviewers consistently liken the game's visual style to the films of Robert Eggers, such as "The Witch," further enhancing the captivating folk horror atmosphere.
At the core of the gameplay, players assume the role of a witch finder tasked with investigating the village and interrogating the locals to determine the identity of the witch. Reviewers highlight how this investigative aspect keeps them engaged, as they must carefully listen to the villagers' stories, sort truth from lies, and decide who to torture for information. The lack of hand-holding encourages players to take thorough notes and draw their own conclusions, adding to the immersive experience.
A polarizing yet praised element of the gameplay is the inclusion of torture minigames used to extract confessions from uncooperative villagers. While some find these sequences unnecessarily gruesome, many reviewers appreciate how they contribute to the game's dark, unsettling tone and reinforce the player's morally ambiguous role as a witch finder. Reviewers note the brutal nature of the torture sequences to be impactful and thought-provoking.
One of the standout features mentioned by players is the game's stop-motion style nightmare sequences that occur at the end of each day. These surreal, nightmarish cutscenes are widely praised for their stunning visuals and ability to further deepen the game's sense of mystery and unease. Reviewers highlight how these sequences provide cryptic clues and insights that shape their understanding of the story.
While the game is relatively short, lasting around 30-40 minutes per playthrough, reviewers note that the multiple endings and the ability to make different choices during the investigation provide incentive to revisit the game. The lack of a clear "right" answer as to the identity of the witch is seen as an effective narrative device that encourages players to experiment with various approaches and reconsider their assumptions.