Scarlet Hollow — Episode 1

Scarlet Hollow — Episode 1

Released Sep 2020 · delisted

The free-to-play first episode of a horror-mystery game with dark humor and hand-drawn art by Black Tabby Games. Note — we are retiring this store page. While the build here is still up-to-date, please download the DEMO from the main Scarlet Hollow store page. Thank you and have fun!

96% positive · 707 reviews
Not yet
Removed from storefront
High confidence
Not yet
Removed from storefront
High confidence

Where to buy

Steam
Can't confirm — worth a look
We couldn't confirm these stores carry this game.
Green Man Gaming Steam key Search IndieGala Steam key Search
Prices in USD, as listed by each store.
Buying through an affiliate store helps support the site

Evaluation

This Steam page — which served as a free demo for Scarlet Hollow's first episode — is no longer purchasable or downloadable. The developers have explicitly announced they are retiring this store page and directing players to download the demo from the main Scarlet Hollow page (App ID 1609230) instead. The store description and short description both contain a prominent notice explaining this transition. The game itself (Scarlet Hollow) remains in active episodic development on the main Early Access page. As of the last developer communication on this page (December 2022), Episode 4 had released, with Episodes 5, 6, and 7 still planned as future free updates for purchasers of the full game. However, those ongoing development signals belong to the main game's store page, not this retired demo page.
Evidence
Short description states 'we are retiring this store page' and directs users to download the demo from the main Scarlet Hollow store page instead.
store metadata source development ending
high
Store description contains a prominent notice that this page is being retired, the build will be kept up-to-date, but players should get the demo from the main Scarlet Hollow store page going forward.
description source development ending
high

Media

Details

About this game

Note — we are retiring this store page. While the build of Episode 1 here will be kept up-to-date with the current state of the game, please download the DEMO from the main Scarlet Hollow store page. Thank you and have fun!

This page is a free demo for Scarlet Hollow that contains the entire first episode. If you'd like to purchase the rest of the game, we're releasing it episodically on our Early Access page. Episode 4 is out now on that page, and we'll update that build with future episodes as they release. All of your Episode 1 saves should automatically transfer to the full game as well.

Trapped in the dying Appalachian mining town of Scarlet Hollow for the funeral of your estranged aunt, you quickly find yourself at the center of a dark mystery that threatens your life.

From award-winning graphic novelist Abby Howard, Scarlet Hollow is a horror visual novel and adventure game where your choices deeply matter. Hand-drawn backgrounds and sprites work together with a complex relationship system to bring to life an immersive world of charming (and terrifying) characters. Who lives, who dies, and the fate of an entire town rests on your shoulders.

Features

  • A heavily branching narrative where your choices matter. The relationships you forge and the decisions you make will dramatically alter your journey.

  • Good jokes and good spooks.

  • A complex relationship system that changes how characters act around you. Characters don't just like or dislike you. Become friendly rivals, bitter adversaries, best friends, or mild acquaintances based on how you approach the story.

  • Trait-based dialogue and role-playing. Scarlet Hollow's dialogue system is driven by role-playing elements that let you choose who you want to be. Are you quiet and observant? Hot and clueless? Over a dozen different character builds change how you interact with the world and how your story unfolds.

  • Original monster designs. Every monster and supernatural being in the game is an original Abby Howard design-- you won't find any predictable vampires or zombies here.

  • Five romance options. Whether you're into goths, dads, plant-lovers, Youtubers, or skeletal boys, we've got all your bases covered.

  • Dozens of meticulously hand-drawn and traditionally inked backgrounds. Every background in the game is meticulously drawn by hand and inked on massive 19x24 inch paper.

  • Hundreds of hand-drawn, immersive sprites. Each major character has dozens of hand-drawn sprites that interact with backgrounds and capture a full range of lighting and emotion.

Last evaluated Jul 22, 2026
Something about this evaluation looks wrong Report illegal or harmful content