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Slay The Princess
Storytellers working in videogames could learn a thing or two from the brisk economy with which Black Tabby Games’ visual novel establishes its conceit. It begins, seemingly, in medias res: you’re in a forest and, via a matter-of-fact voiceover, you’re told you’ve been charged with a terrible duty. Once you’re through the woods, you’ll see a cabin. In the basement of that cabin is a princess. And the only way for you to save the world is to kill her.
Even if you believe this possibly unreliable narrator, the chained-up royal doesn’t look or sound the worldending type – though her innocent demeanour could be an affectation. Then again, maybe you should ignore those instructions completely and instead attempt a more conventional rescue. Picking up the blade at the entrance might allow you to cut her loose, but could also establish you as a threat, setting the wrong tone for the subsequent dialogue. Having made our decision, the narrator’s warnings that the princess will try anything to get you to free her ring in our ears as we see that, if a person is desperate enough to escape, they’re not going to let the absence of a sharp implement stop them.