Slay The Princess - PC Review

Cute Drawn Princess with large eyes looking up at you with a speech bubble saying "Please don't" with the game title 'Slay The Princess' in the upper left

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Slay the Princess – PC Review, the latest visual novel game from Black Tabby Games, takes players on a dark and gripping journey. Filled with intrigue, danger, and moral ambiguity. Players will navigate the choices and consequences that shape the game’s narrative. With all these choices remember one thing, if you don’t slay the princess “Everything goes dark, and you die”.

The Princess is in another dungeon, you must Slay the Princess

This engrossing tale takes players on an unforgettable journey. With its intricate character development, branching narratives, and thought-provoking themes. Slay the Princess delivers an immersive gaming experience that will leave players hooked even after they finish.

several different version of the Princess within the dungeon, looking scared, manic, and cute with one having a knife drawn towards here — Antagonist of Slay The Princess in different moods

Gameplay

At the heart of Slay the Princess lies a compelling and multi-layered narrative. Set in a constantly changing world based on the choices you make, players assume the role of a someone tasked with slaying the princess and from there you make choices of how to do so. However, as the story unfolds, the game surprises players with unexpected twists and moral dilemmas. Moments of the 4th wall being broken with the game talking directly to the player, and as the game continues you meet different areas of your consciousness and they have voices of their own such as “Voice of the smitten” being in love with the princess or “Voice of the broken” feeling hopeless.

The character development in Slay the Princess is exceptional, allowing players to form a deep connection with the cast. Each character is meticulously crafted, with their own strengths, flaws, and personal motivations. While the only characters that have a visual are yourself, the princess and the narrator, your voices are all a part of you even to see yourself or the narrator are hidden ways. Nevertheless Slay The Princess expertly weaves a complex tapestry of relationships and motivations. Ensuring that every character encountered feels integral to the overall narrative.

Despite its considerable strengths, Slay the Princess is not without minor flaws. Occasional pacing issues arise in certain narrative arcs, and the game’s intricate web of branching story-lines may prove overwhelming for some players. It would have been beneficial to have additional interactivity elements incorporated into the game-play, to break the monotony of conversational choices. Especially when the conversations begin to become repetitive

Graphics & Audio

From the first glance, Slay the Princess dazzles players with its stunning artwork and attention to detail. The captivating character designs bring each protagonist and antagonist to life, with distinctive features that reflect their personalities and roles in the story. The environments further enhance the immersion, serving as a visual treat that captivates the players’ imagination, described by “The narrator” though with his agenda you may see things that he has not mentioned and the fact that they change so many times is a wonderful take. With each turn you are given 1-4 chapters and the beginning of Chapters 1 and 2 are generally the same but as you continue this is where each time you will see something different.

Cabin Interior, with a mirror in the center and a ghost to the left of it, with church style windows and wooden beams on the roof — One of many cabin interiors

Each time you come across the Princess she is likely to look different at one point during your interaction, the cabin will change, the forest you were once in shall change. The stairs that you take down to the dungeon will also change, it’s fascinating and always keeps you on your toes wanting more. There are even times when the art style changes entirely and goes to very bare bones.

Very basic line art drawing of a wooden cabin with door in the center and a table with a knife on top — Sketch of wooden cabin interior

The audio design in Slay the Princess contributes significantly to the game’s overall experience. The voice acting is superb, with each line delivered with conviction and nuance, further bringing the characters to life. The soundtrack, composed to match the setting, immerses players in the atmosphere, creating a rich and evocative ambience.

Longevity

Slay the Princess is a remarkable visual novel game that stands out for its captivating storytelling, stunning visuals, and exceptional character development. Black Tabby Games has crafted a world that effortlessly draws players into an enthralling adventure, where their choices determine the fate of the princess and the outcome of the narrative. Though additional game-play mechanics could have added further variety, the overall experience is thought-provoking, emotionally resonant, and deserving of praise. With so many different paths to take you couldn’t possibly get through it all it one sitting. The game roughly takes 4-6 hours to reach a true ending but there is more than one ending. With many different ways to get there it is definitely worth replaying multiple times.

Final Thoughts

Slay the Princess reminds us that within every fairy tale lies complexity and depths to be explored. Defying expectations and offering players a truly memorable gaming experience. It’s a testament to the power of visual novels as a medium for storytelling, and Black Tabby Games has proved their mastery in captivating players with their enchanting tale. Slay the Princess is undoubtedly a must-play for fans of the genre and those seeking an immersive journey through a beautifully crafted thought-provoking world, offering a captivating narrative journey that demands introspection and emotional investment.

I’m awarding Slay the Princess Thumb Culture’s Gold Award

Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.

About Author

Tyler Denyer

Tyler Denyer/ Tyluild is a passionate journalist, whose love of video games runs deep. With a focus on crafting captivating video game reviews, they immerse themselves in the worlds of gaming, especially ones with deep and rich lore. Beyond games Tyler is a lover of cats, travelling and finding a tasty treat to eat. Eager to stay on top of the latest trends, they regularly attend video game events, and keep on top of news in the gaming world. Fuelled by an insatiable curiosity, our journalist is equally enthralled by not just games themselves, but also new accessories. Their favorite style of game? Without a doubt, RPGs, allowing Tyler to fully explore his imagination, the grind in game is less tedious than in life.

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Slay The Princess – PC Review