New dark fantasy visual novel blends choices with emotional consequences
Not A Cat Studios has revealed STARCULT. Night: Twisted Age, a dark fantasy visual novel where player choices hinge on interpreting emotions. The game follows Silviya, a noblewoman whose husband is murdered shortly after their wedding, forcing her to handle deception, relationships, and a world on the edge of catastrophe. Silviya hails from the prestigious House Nebula, a noble family whose political influence is as fragile as the alliances sustaining her new marriage to Hans, the young head of the house. The murder occurs during their wedding festivities, with the assailant described only as a monstrous entity—leaving the true perpetrator hidden.
The story unfolds through an Emotion Palette system, letting players detect hidden feelings and intentions—whether genuine or manipulated. This tool shapes interactions, relationships, and even the game’s narrative paths. The mechanics extend to an Emotion Frenzy mode: failing to engage with emotions drives Silviya toward madness, unlocking alternate story routes. The system’s design forces players to weigh whether to confront emotions directly or exploit them, with each choice altering how characters perceive Silviya’s reliability and authority.
The game’s central theme explores how emotions, expressed or concealed, dictate trust, power, and alliances. Liliia Sitailo, the studio’s artist and CEO, framed it as an interactive experiment: “We decided to present this in an interactive way by adding an Emotion Palette, which players will use as a unique tool for interacting with the game world.” The studio emphasizes that the system isn’t just about reading emotions but also about understanding how others use them, whether to manipulate or deceive.
Players can pursue relationships with varied trends, romantic, toxic, platonic, or form their own cult, defining its purpose through choices. Multiple endings are possible, including Detective, Hedonist, Mystic, and Nihilist, alongside secret paths like Ascended. Relationship trends range from spicy or sadistic to codependent or casual, with each tone shaping Silviya’s social standing and the game’s hidden truths. The cult-building mechanic allows players to craft a following with ideological goals.
While the mechanics emphasize emotional nuance, the world itself is steeped in gothic dread. The murder of Silviya’s husband isn’t just a crime, it’s a catalyst for uncovering who wields real power in her fractured society. The game’s tone suggests a blend of psychological tension and dark fantasy, where alliances shift as quickly as emotions do.
Development remains focused on Steam for now, with other platforms to be confirmed. The studio encourages engagement through Discord and social media, though no release date has been set. Players can also explore the game’s lore through the announcement trailer, which offers a glimpse into its eerie atmosphere and mechanical depth.
Players will need to decide: is Silviya a victim, a manipulator, or something far more dangerous? The answer depends entirely on how they read the room.
