Exploring Chilling Narratives in Interactive Storytelling
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Visual novels, interactive texts, and kinetic narratives are terms used to describe stories you engage with beyond mere reading. Commonly categorized as "games" on platforms like Steam or Itch, this classification can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. This article will interchangeably use these terms.
Before 2017, I had little exposure to visual novels. If someone had asked me about them, I might have joked that all novels are visual unless they’re audiobooks or in braille.
That changed when I was teaching a narrative writing class, and one of my students shared his experience with a story he had recently encountered, referring to it not as a game, but as a narrative.
The title of that story? Doki Doki Literature Club.
Having seen enough anime and read enough manga, I was immediately skeptical of its adorably whimsical cover art when I searched online.
My facial expressions often betray my thoughts, and as I looked back and forth between the game’s pink, cheerful aesthetics and the student’s edgy demeanor, it was clear my reaction was amusing to him and his friends.
“It’s part of the trick, Miss,” he assured me.
Though my expectations were low, I agreed to give it a try.
In reality, I might have forgotten about it, as students often recommend things to teachers with whom they've built rapport. We nod politely, promising to check it out, but life gets busy and those recommendations often slip away. It’s not intentional neglect—just the demands of day-to-day life.
However, this student was persistent. After two weeks of gentle reminders, I finally relented.
At that time, the game was free to download on Itch, so one Friday night, I took the plunge, prepared for whatever this "story" had to offer. The tags of “visual novel” and “psychological horror” gave me some reassurance.
It was phenomenal. It was the first narrative to completely surprise me since House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski—a non-traditional story bound in a classic format.
Without spoiling too much, the initial playthrough of Doki Doki Literature Club was indeed part of the ruse, and I fell for it completely. The first experience was enjoyable—though not typically my style, it was well-written, contained poetry, and the romantic elements were sweet without being overly saccharine. I felt bad for underestimating my emo-leaning student’s taste in narratives.
Then, the conclusion of that initial story hit me like a ton of bricks. If you know, you know. If you don’t, prepare yourself for an experience worth having (but finish reading this article first, of course).
As I ventured through the various narratives, it felt like descending into madness. Quick flashes of grotesque imagery left me questioning my perception. The backgrounds shifted and warped, offering eerie hints of the horrors to come, akin to a migraine aura. This game shattered the fourth wall so completely that when I tried to replay it, it simply wouldn’t allow me to.
I quickly decided that visual novels were officially my new Favorite Thing™.
Three Disturbing Short Stories
Since then, I feel as though I’ve been chasing the thrills evoked by Doki Doki Literature Club. While I doubt I’ll ever be quite as surprised again, I craved more of the intricate, interactive storytelling I had just experienced.
Diving into interactive fiction can seem daunting—especially for those less tech-savvy—but it opens up new storytelling dimensions. My goal here is to make it easy for readers to sample how it works.
With that in mind, I scoured itch.io for offerings. I focused on free games that could be played in-browser (no downloads required) and would take less than an hour to complete. I specifically looked for psychological horror stories tagged as either interactive fiction or visual novels.
After playing through the options, I stepped away for a week to see which stories lingered in my mind like Doki Doki Literature Club had.
Many games were impressive, but three stood out, each providing a unique experience. They all evoke a sensation akin to bending a fingernail back too far—not enough to break it, but enough to leave a lingering ache.
No affiliate links are present below. These are all free games I recommend solely because they creepily captivated me!
A House of Endless Windows
By SkyShard
SkyShard has several interactive fiction projects on Itch, and I sampled them all that fit my criteria. A House of Endless Windows stood out as the most impressive.
This “game” felt more like a kinetic story than I expected, yet it was no less impactful. The storytelling was masterfully executed and carried significant literary weight—something I can confidently assert as a qualified English Language and Literature teacher.
The relationships between characters and the weight of their silences created an oppressive atmosphere, and the narrative doesn’t offer a neatly tied-up ending. Instead, it leaves you with questions that burrow into your mind, lingering long after the experience. One player described it as “stepping into purgatory,” and I wholeheartedly agree.
I played this piece with headphones, and I highly recommend you do the same. I believe SkyShard crafted the story, visuals, and music for A House of Endless Windows, showcasing his impressive range of talents.
> You can discover more of SkyShard’s games and projects on Itch and Carrd.
Class Reunion Chat Room
By RocRac
Headphones are essential for Class Reunion Chat Room, as the story evolves significantly through subtle musical shifts alongside the narrative. The composer, Tim Reichert, has done an exceptional job.
This game offers a similar level of interactivity as A House of Endless Windows, but its visuals are a bit more immersive compared to SkyShard’s traditional style. This difference in approaches highlights the excitement of interactive texts.
The ambiance in Class Reunion Chat Room is oddly cozy, yet even the peaceful raindrops on windows conceal a sinister undertone. The chatroom interactions were engaging, and I appreciated how each character’s unique text style contributed to their individuality, making their twisted tales even more jarring.
Class Reunion Chat Room feels like playing an urban legend, and I’ve always enjoyed stories that are perfect for sharing around a campfire in the dark.
> You can explore more of RocRac's works on Itch and Steam.
Inversed
By Tymedust
Inversed features horror elements, haiku, and a haunting progression of narrative. I was thoroughly enchanted!
Among the three games I’ve mentioned, this one is the most interactive and the only one featuring full voice acting, making it another game best enjoyed with headphones.
I loved the use of haiku as a narrative device, and the visual distortions accompanying certain text choices added a compelling layer. The secret message at the end was a fun touch, though I’m unsure what it said since I don’t know how to reverse play it! It felt reminiscent of the supposed hidden messages my RE teacher warned about when playing heavy metal records backward.
Inversed stands alone within a broader narrative universe created by Tymedust, but like a well-crafted haiku, this short piece is beautiful on its own. I have since started exploring other games within The Purgatoryverse, and if this initial foray into interactive fiction left you intrigued, it’s a great place to delve deeper into darker narratives.
> You can find more of Tymedust's games and stories on Itch, Steam, and Carrd.
Do you have any interactive tales to recommend to readers of The Ugly Monster? Please share in the comments! And if anyone can decode that secret soundbite at the end of Inversed, let me know!
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