As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of gaming under my belt, I have to say that Slay the Princess has left an indelible mark on me. Coming from a small independent studio, this game is nothing short of a masterpiece. The narrative is captivating, the characters are rich and complex, and the art style is unique and beautiful.
As The Nightmare approached, her face cracked and worn like broken doll parts, her presence echoing piercing static, the words Heart, Lungs, Liver, Nerves repeated like a mantra. The Paranoid, one of many personas residing in the hero’s overcrowded mind, was the one reciting it, a warning to the other minds inside this faulty host that they must now take over what were once independent roles. Heart, Lungs, Liver, Nerves. These words beat like a drum; the lone cord connecting this body to this realm of reality. However, as The Nightmare drew nearer, the frantic heartbeat faded into quietude. And then, with a snap, the fragile thread was severed.
In “Slay the Princess,” death isn’t an ending, but rather the trigger for a time loop that usually leads to mutual annihilation. Despite the gruesome deaths you encounter, the game opens with a peculiar note: it’s a love story. As a blend of horror, romance, visual novel, and psychological fiction, “Slay the Princess” stands out. The Pristine Cut enhances this exceptional game even further, introducing additional layers of depth and replay value to an already-impressive title rich in self-reflection, poetic writing, superb voice acting, and striking art and music. However, it still has a few areas that need improvement, such as its audio mixing and console user interface design. Overall, “Slay the Princess” is a moving experience filled with emotion and wit.
The scenario is straightforward, suggested by its title and introduction: “You’re walking a forest trail, ending at a cabin. In the cellar of that cabin lies a princess. Your task is to kill her.” This undoubtedly sparks numerous questions: Why must she perish? Why am I tasked with this act of violence? What drives the one commanding me to do this? As the protagonist’s main guide, it falls upon you to delve into the various mysteries that arise as each new detail unfolds. Each response and action—or inaction—you make shapes and changes the path set for the hero, as well as the other voices that assist you in guiding him as subsequent cycles occur.
If you’re the type to ask a lot of questions or second-guess yourself, The Paranoid or Skeptic might emerge, altering the choices you have and your own perception of what is happening. On the other hand, a self-assured approach might give way to the voice of The Stubborn or perhaps even The Smitten. As your personality, role, and beliefs are solidified, the form of the damsel tucked away in the basement is altered, as well. All of these factors compile and build across a handful of acts, culminating in the end of one story and the progression of a deeper narrative lurking just below the surface.
Exploring the intricate web of diverse paths, witnessing forgotten routes disintegrate, and tripping over alternate versions of settings, characters, and gatherings is captivating. The vastness of the interwoven storyline is truly remarkable, as you delve into an array of scenarios and occurrences spanning from bizarre and terrifying to poignant and comforting. I was also consistently amazed by how the game’s reactions seemed to intuitively match my own, expressing thoughts that mirrored my ethical dilemmas, practical concerns, curiosity, or humor. The Pristine Cut further enhances these achievements, offering players a plethora of fresh situations and conclusions, thereby increasing replay value and complexity.
Beyond the intriguing foundation, it’s the combination of exceptional scriptwriting and exceptional vocal acting by two performers who possess an astonishing array of talents that makes Slay the Princess so captivating.
Tony Howard-Arias, the primary writer, and Abby Howard, the game’s leading artist and auxiliary writer, collaborate to produce a piece that is rich in imagery, eloquent, witty, thoughtful, and surprisingly humorous. The voices in your mind prove effective at injecting humor into grim scenarios (with The Cheated, for instance, conveying an irritable frustration that often results in laughter). Furthermore, numerous scenes culminate in preposterous and amusing outcomes, which are made even more comical by the game’s art, which undergoes significant transformations to reflect the overall mood of the writing.
In instances where sensitivity or personal reflection dominates, or when navigating surreal situations, Howard-Arias demonstrates an exceptional knack for tugging at the reader’s heartstrings and making abstract experiences feel tangible and contemplative. It can be challenging to delve into these poignant moments, as they are most impactful when experienced by players themselves, and I may have disclosed more than I intended for a new player to learn about the game. However, there are numerous elements within the game, particularly in its broader storyline, that resonated deeply with me.
Two voice actors, Jonathan Sims and Nichole Goodnight, who may only be assigned three distinct characters in theory, actually generate numerous unique voices for them. Whether Sims is bringing life to the serious yet exasperated Narrator, or any of the hero’s multiple personas, he consistently delivers an outstanding performance. He masterfully portrays the emotion behind The Cheated, a fast-talking, swearing character; The Cold, reminiscent of Robert Smith; and The Smitten, a boisterous, lovestruck persona, making it seem like a full cast is guiding the hero. Similarly, Goodnight skillfully evokes fear, devotion, pain, ferocity, disgust, animosity, and detachment in The Princess, creating a damsel who inspires complex emotions.
Besides mentioning other aspects, it’s important to note the impact of the game’s Foley effects too. The chilling sounds of tearing flesh, snapping bones, swaying chains, and hooks of a butcher add significantly to the immersive experience in “Slay the Princess”, making it far less effective without them.
The game’s music–and the strategic use of cutting it to intensify a few, select scenarios–also serve to create atmosphere and environment; I’m not exaggerating when I say that each track is fantastic. The delicate piano of “The Princess” is haunting yet heartfelt and serves as a repeated motif throughout the game, such as in one of The Pristine Cut’s new tracks, “Rhythm of the Flesh,” which leans hard into an intense horror sound. “The Apotheosis” is another standout track, with its operatic backing vocals and an almost industrial sound. “A Kiss From a Thorn” tugs at the heartstrings, causing emotions to swell as The Narrator reluctantly describes the ensuing scenario: “If history itself were not about to end, historians would document this moment for the rest of time. Musicians would write era-defining ballads, and great artists would expend entire lifetimes trying to merely capture the spark you hold right now.”
In a striking accomplishment, the artwork of this game is stunningly beautiful, with its constantly changing and entirely hand-drawn images. It has an uncanny, dynamic quality, and being in grayscale, it lends itself perfectly to the game’s narrative. This monochromatic aesthetic mirrors and intensifies the mental state of the protagonist, providing a unique canvas for the artist, Howard, to explore more daring and avant-garde creations that might not be as impactful in conventional graphics.
Although this approach functions effectively, it might benefit from some adjustments that would optimize its performance slightly more. Despite Goodnight delivering an outstanding portrayal of The Princess, there were instances where the audio mixing appeared unbalanced, with her powerful lines sounding distorted while other segments seemed to overlap the rest of the game instead of being seamlessly integrated. Furthermore, the console user experience could use refinement. Initially, I had no issues with the UI when playing Slay the Princess on PC. However, switching to The Pristine Cut on PS5 revealed that certain aspects of the interface don’t transfer as smoothly. It was challenging at times to identify what I was hovering over, and navigating through the numerous dialogue options could be overwhelming.
Overall, Slay the Princess stands out as an enchanting game, brimming with appeal, brilliance, and emotion. Last year, TopMob deemed it worthy enough to include in their Best PC Games of 2024 list. A year on, both time and The Pristine Cut have deepened my affection for this title. Despite some minor flaws, Slay the Princess is more than just a remarkable game from a small, independent studio; it’s a game that deserves recognition regardless of its origin. However, there are several content warnings associated with the game, which are all clearly outlined on its official website. For those who are willing to persevere, it is an essential play.
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2024-11-19 00:09