The Letter - Horror Visual Novel

The Letter - Horror Visual Novel

Released Jul 2017

When seven people fall prey to a vicious curse, they will discover that horror rests not from the shadows lurking about, but within themselves. To what ends will one go in order to survive?

85% positive · 1,521 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence

Where to buy

Steam $19.99 Green Man Gaming Steam key $19.99
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Evaluation

The Letter launched on Steam on July 24, 2017 as a complete horror visual novel. In the months following launch, the developer shipped a series of feature patches — adding the Music Room, visual improvements, save system enhancements, and localization work — with the last notable feature patch (v1.1.4) arriving on March 5, 2018. Both available DLC items (the Original Soundtrack and the Artbook & Wallpaper Pack) shipped on October 30, 2017 and are fully released. There are no unreleased DLC entries on the store. In January 2021, the developer posted patch notes for v2.3.3, which included Russian localization progress and compatibility updates. Notably, that post explicitly stated: "Though we don't update as often anymore, rest assured that we're still continuously supporting and taking care of The Letter." This signals a wind-down from active feature development to maintenance-only support. Since early 2021, developer communications on this game's page have been focused entirely on promoting new titles — Perfect Gold (April 2021), a console port announcement for The Letter itself (September 2021), Saint Maker (February 2023), and the new game High Times (mid-2024 onwards). None of these posts indicate new content planned for The Letter itself. The console port announced in September 2021 represents the last major content event tied to The Letter. The game shipped as a complete narrative product, all DLC has been released, and the developer's own words and subsequent activity confirm that The Letter is a finished game being maintained but no longer actively developed with new content.
Evidence
Developer states 'though we don't update as often anymore, rest assured that we're still continuously supporting and taking care of The Letter' in patch notes for v2.3.3, signaling a shift from active development to maintenance.
news post · Jan 24, 2021 source development ending
high
Developer announces demo for their upcoming game High Times on The Letter's page, noting they've been 'busy with development' of the new title. No mention of further content for The Letter.
news post · Sep 24, 2024 source development ending
medium

Content

2 of 2 released · no outstanding content

Media

Details

Publisher
Neon Doctrine
Achievements
172
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player

About this game

CONTENT WARNING

This game deals with mature themes. It shows scenes that some may find disturbing, unethical and triggering. It also contains offensive language, racial slurs, sexual themes, gore and violence. Player discretion is advised. For the full list of trigger warnings, please check our Steam forums.

ABOUT

The Letter is an interactive, horror/drama visual novel inspired by classic Asian horror films, Ju-ON: The Grudge and The Ring. Told through an immersive branching narrative, the game puts the players into the shoes of seven characters as they find themselves falling prey to a vicious curse plaguing the Ermengarde Mansion for centuries.

In this game, your choices will shape and drive the story forward: will you mend a relationship on the verge of collapse, or will you let it fall apart? Will you risk saving them, despite the consequences, or leave them to die a gruesome death? The fate of all the characters is in your hands.

FEATURES

  • This is a hardcore visual novel with over 700K words. Expect a lot of reading!

  • Romance, friendship and drama; apart from horror, the game puts heavy emphasis on relationships and character development.

  • Non-chronological storytelling with 7 playable characters, each with varying personality and approach to difficult situations.

  • Countless butterfly effects; your choices heavily affect the story.

  • Full English Voice Acting (optional).

  • Animated backgrounds, CGs and sprites.

  • Beautifully painted art style, with over 80 backgrounds, 100 CGs and 50 Epilogue CGs (variations included).

  • Original soundtrack, with opening, ending and true ending theme songs.

  • Quick-Time Events (optional).

  • A branching tree that keeps track of your progress/route.

  • A journal that narrates the events in chronological order, and jots down the clues found about the Ermengarde Mansion.

  • Over 170 achievements.

Last evaluated Jun 27, 2026
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