Return to the Hollow, If You Dare
For fans of the breakout indie horror hit Scarlet Hollow, the long wait for the next installment finally has an end in sight. During the recent DreadXP Indie Horror Showcase, developer Black Tabby Games unveiled a stunning new animated trailer and, most importantly, the release date for the game’s highly anticipated fifth episode. Mark your calendars and steel your nerves, because your return trip to the haunted Appalachian town is set for Friday, February 13, 2026.
That’s right, the team is leaning into the spooky vibes with a release on Valentine’s Eve. The announcement has sent a wave of excitement through the community, which has been patiently waiting for the continuation of a story that has gripped them with its blend of creeping dread, compelling characters, and deep, meaningful choices.
A Story That Remembers Everything
For those new to the phenomenon, Scarlet Hollow is a seven-part episodic visual novel created by the husband-and-wife team at Black Tabby Games, who also created the critically acclaimed Slay the Princess. You arrive in the titular town for your estranged aunt’s funeral, only to find yourself trapped for a week in a place riddled with dark secrets, supernatural creatures, and a family history you never knew you had.
What makes Scarlet Hollow so special is its incredible depth of player choice. The game features a unique trait-based system where abilities you choose at the start-like ‘Hot,’ ‘Mystical,’ or even ‘Talk to Animals’-unlock entirely new ways to navigate conversations and solve problems. The narrative branches dramatically based on your decisions, and the relationships you build (or break) with the townsfolk have a real, tangible impact on how your story unfolds. Episode 5 alone is set to add over 200,000 words of branching dialogue, promising an immense amount of new content to explore.
Hand-Drawn Horror at its Finest
Another signature element of the game is its breathtaking, hand-drawn art style. Every background is traditionally inked by Ignatz-winning artist Abby Howard, bringing the unsettling world to life with a level of detail and personality that is rare to see. The game masterfully builds tension and atmosphere without relying on cheap jump scares, instead drawing its horror from disturbing imagery and a constant sense of unease.
The new animated trailer, a first for the series, further showcases this incredible art style, giving fans a glimpse of the drama and danger that awaits. With two episodes remaining after this release, the overarching mystery is only deepening, and fans who have been holding off on playing until the series is complete are finding it harder and harder to resist jumping in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- When does Scarlet Hollow Episode 5 come out?
Episode 5 will be released as a free update for everyone who owns the game on February 13, 2026. - How many episodes will there be in total?
The full story of Scarlet Hollow will be told over seven episodes. After Episode 5, there will be two more to conclude the series. - Is Scarlet Hollow finished?
Not yet. It is an ongoing episodic game currently in Early Access. However, the developers describe it as a seven-game series where your choices carry over, with each episode telling a self-contained story within the larger narrative. - What kind of game is Scarlet Hollow?
It’s a horror-mystery visual novel with deep RPG elements. It focuses on player choice, branching narratives, relationship building, and atmospheric horror rather than jump scares. - Do I have to wait for all episodes to be released to play?
You don’t have to! Episodes 1-4 are available now on Steam. The first episode is completely free to play as a demo, so you can see if the game is right for you before buying. - Is this from the same developers as Slay the Princess?
Yes, Scarlet Hollow is developed by Black Tabby Games, the same team behind the critically acclaimed Slay the Princess.
Conclusion
The journey through Scarlet Hollow has been a masterclass in episodic storytelling, building a passionate community that hangs on every choice and every chilling reveal. The announcement of Episode 5’s release date brings us one giant step closer to unraveling the town’s dark history. For fans, it’s a date to look forward to with a mix of excitement and trepidation. For newcomers, there has never been a better time to take that first fateful trip into the woods. Just be warned: you might not be able to save everyone.