DEATH MARK

Wait for death or fight the mark?

Rumour has it that anyone who possesses the mark will die. You wake up confused, branded, and with no memory. The only way to figure out what’s going on, get your memories back, and survive the gruesome and unusual death you’re fated to meet before dawn is to enter Kujou mansion and join forces with other people marked for death (hence the name of the game). The teeth-mark-shaped brand is slowly draining your memory.

Death Mark is a well-executed supernatural horror visual novel from Aksys. It pulls fastpaced, timer-forced life-or-death choices out of nowhere. 1 This mechanic alone sets Death Mark apart from other visual novels in the same genre, making for a much more interactive experience than continual reading. Along with this it offers minor customisation options (you can choose your name and make minor cosmetic changes to the protagonist) and large sections of investigation where you’re free to roam around creepy abandoned buildings and investigate the supernatural, find objects that you can use to your advantage (from lipstick to a worn-out pen or even slippers), and use the only light source you’ve got to catch a glimpse of what lurks under stairs or behind windows.

You really need to be ready for some cleverly placed jump scares. Having to survive and investigate makes Death Mark more akin to Zero Escape than Steins; Gate. All of this, plus the beautifully gruesome artwork, clever dialogue, 2 and a classical soundtrack that sends shivers up your spine, creates a visual novel experience you won’t easily forget. It’s unlike any horror visual novel before it.

FOOTNOTES 1 Spirit Power is a sort of currency used to determine how long you have to make choices. 2 If you’re squeamish, bring a bucket. The descriptions of blood and floral scents are overpowering.