Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut

schizophrenic mentally ill monster with voices telling him what to do (average man) tries to interact with a beautiful princess (a "i can fix her" girl)

I'm sorry, I pirated the game. I really wanted to play it but couldn't buy it for the full price. But now that it's on sale, I bought this amazing game, and so should you :) Really, play this without looking up walkthroughs or playthroughs. It's an amazing experience, and it really is a love story. Nightmare princess is the best <3

Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves. Heart...

Easily one of the best games I’ve ever played that really emphasizes the importance of choices

how can a game about a schizophrenic bird, the voices in his head, and 'her' from the phrase 'i can fix her' be a masterpiece. 11/10 wish i could forget everything so i could replay this game.

What an absolute insane experience. Every new game is just as interesting, far too many amazing subjects are covered and contemplated in this game, either straight up philosophy, or human nature entirely. The art is amazing at expressing the route you took, same goes for the very well written and well executed voice acting, at times I forget I'm playing the game due to how it makes my dusted worn out cogs work for once in a while. 10/10, so much love was put into it.

This game is just a Rick and Morty meme in a nutshell -Let`s go. in and out. 20 minutes adventure *4 hours later* -"starts crying uncontrollably" like this game IS NOT what it looks as on steam page. This story goes hard as fyk

I picked up this game because my husband told me about it from a youtube playthrough he saw. I play a lot of visual novels, and am a huge fan of the genre so I decided to get it on a sale. I feel bad not paying full price because this has got to be one of the best visual novels I've ever played. I usually don't achievement hunt or try to %100 complete games, but I was so gripped by the amazing art, story, music, and diversity of the branching paths that I couldn't put it down. I could go on and on about how fantastic the writing and visuals are, but I want to keep this spoiler free. This game is a MUST PLAY if you like visual novels of any kind, even if you aren't a fan of visual novels play it anyway. These devs are super talented and I eagerly await any future works.

Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut is a deeply unsettling and cleverly crafted narrative horror game that defies expectations at every turn. What initially appears to be a minimalist premise—go into the woods and kill a princess chained in a basement—quickly unravels into something far more layered and sinister. With each decision, reality bends and twists, and the line between hero and villain dissolves. The story loops, changes, and mutates, reacting sharply to the choices you make, even when those choices seem trivial. It’s a game that isn’t content to tell a story once—it demands to be replayed, reinterpreted, and re-experienced. The game’s stark black-and-white hand-drawn art style is deceptively simple but incredibly effective. Every frame is intentionally composed to evoke dread, mystery, or unease, and the transition from calm to horror is often sudden and jarring. The limited color palette enhances the surreal tone of the game, as shifting character designs and subtle changes in the environment reflect your actions and their consequences. Audio design plays a vital role as well—unsettling ambient sounds, eerie silence, and sudden spikes in volume all work together to immerse the player in its psychological tension. The voice acting is outstanding, with a cast that brings nuance, menace, and even unexpected humor to a story that constantly evolves. At the core of the experience are two voices: the ever-insistent narrator, who guides and coerces your decisions, and the Princess, who is anything but a passive damsel. Their interactions range from sinister mind games to emotional revelations, and the way the game plays with player trust is genuinely impressive. The voice actors deliver dynamic, memorable performances, shifting tone and intent across dozens of permutations. Every route you take feels distinct, not just in outcomes but in how the characters interact and evolve in response to your actions. It's rare to see a branching narrative game that feels this reactive and personal. The Pristine Cut update significantly expands the game’s content and deepens its narrative complexity. It introduces new Princess forms, new story paths, more dialogue, and entirely new chapters that explore the implications of your choices in unexpected ways. The additions don’t feel like extras—they feel essential, filling in gaps and adding emotional weight to paths that previously felt incomplete. It’s not just more content for the sake of content; it’s a refinement and expansion of the game’s core themes. Replay value was already high, but now it feels endless, with new permutations and endings continuing to reveal themselves after hours of play. What truly sets the game apart is its commitment to psychological storytelling. It plays like a fairy tale told through a broken mirror—shifting in tone from tragic to terrifying to strangely tender. Themes of identity, autonomy, and perception are woven through every decision, and the game isn’t afraid to contradict or undermine your assumptions. It questions your intentions, your morality, and even your desire to keep playing. In that way, it’s both a narrative and a meta-commentary on how we consume choice-based games. It’s not just about slaying or saving the Princess—it’s about what those actions mean, and who you become in the process. Though not without its minor issues—occasional audio repetition or visual hiccups—it never loses its grip on the player. The few technical shortcomings pale in comparison to its strengths. Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut is an experience unlike any other. It's haunting, intelligent, darkly funny, and emotionally resonant. It asks difficult questions and offers no easy answers, instead inviting players to wrestle with their own choices and consequences. For anyone drawn to unconventional storytelling, layered character writing, or games that challenge the boundaries of interactive fiction, this is an unforgettable journey worth taking. Rating: 10/10

Horror isn't exactly my thing, but this is an interesting story to play through. There isn't any gameplay beyond dialogue options, but this is clearly one of the more successful entries in its field.

play the game for 5 minutes, slay the princess, beat the game, get good ending. i dont understand how people have so many hours on this game ngl, seems like theyre trash at the game

I never thought that a game could be this eye opening. The developer didn't lie. This IS, a love story.

one of the most unique story's ever the music and art is also great

I'm not sure how I would even begin to describe this game. It's an incredibly unique experience. The story is interesting, even if incredibly surreal and confusing at times. I certainly wouldn't say this is for everyone, but if you enjoy stories and like to question everything, including your own actions and existence, I think you'll like it. I'm not sure I'll experience something quite like this ever again.

I had literal shivers at the end of my first run of the game. We got love, we got horror, it does f*ck with you so much and I absolutely love it. 10/10 would play again. You'll find yourself in the situation of slaying a princess, without any other reason than it's for the best It's a choose your own adventure and unlike some of these, the choices do matter. There is a lot to explore especially with the new cut of the game. If you're thinking "I can fix her!" - this is for you, mate. Go ahead. Try. It's definitely not for the faint of heart, there is content warning for a reason. People are very visually getting ripped apart, lots of stabby-stabs as well. [spoiler] It's a lovestory and I think that's very easy to forget during the playthrough, maybe even intended, but you'll get there eventually. She is beauty. She is grace. She'll stab you in the fucking face. [/spoiler]

Excellent dialogue and narration, great art style, and so many choices to be made. 9/10

This game is all about doing simple task that has too many variables, in a compelling narrative that has satisfy conclusion too. Definitely recommend.

genuinely the most unique game i've ever experienced, i have not stopped thinking about it since i first watched a random playthrough almost 2 years ago, and it enamored me in a way i don't think any game has before. the artwork is beautiful and the voice acting is absolutely insane- i am kind of embarrassed to admit i didn't even realize there were only two voice actors until, like, half an hour into the game LMAO. but that's just a testament to how incredible the voice actors are! and the artwork, i recently learned, was all done traditionally!! every scene and every character design is so distinct and so detailed, it’s all breathtaking. and the music, it haunts you. it sticks with you. it somehow elevates the whole experience even more. you can feel the love that was put into this game literally ooze off the screen when you play, and it's delightful. i’ve watched countless different playthroughs and i’m still discovering new paths as i’m playing it for myself. i wish i could experience it for the first time all over again. please do yourself a favor and try to go in as blind as possible, i cannot recommend it enough

The aftertaste of Slay the Princess is haunting—even if all power sources vanish one day, I’d keep replaying this game in my mind until I die.​​ It transcends the label of ‘'choice-driven narrative’'and becomes a philosophical interrogation of existence, free will, and storytelling itself. When the Princess’ whispers echo in the dark, when the Narrator’s lies unravel layer by layer, the game morphs into a self-replicating thought experiment. The most terrifying part? Even without a screen, those dialogue options would still auto-generate in my consciousness: ​Trust her? ​Slay her? ​Become her? —Perhaps this is the true eternal recurrence.

Simples, e absolutamente maravilhoso. Quando você menos esperar, já terá gasto algumas horas nesse jogo. Muito bem escrito, boa dublagem, boas artes, e uma história muito interessante. Vale a pena.

I went into this game without researching much about it, expecting a linear, psychological horror visual novel. I got something way weirder and deeper, in the best possible way. This is the kind of game that lingers. It doesn’t just tell a story, it pulls you into it, twists it around you, and makes you question everything. It begins quiet and simple. Then something shifts. And then it keeps shifting, and shifting, and suddenly you’re not sure who you are, what you’re doing, or whether the game is lying, or if you are. Every playthrough feels fresh in a way. The writing is great, the dialogue shifts with everything you previously did and carried onward with you. The art and sound design feel like they’re breathing with you. And there’s something in the voice work that sticks in your head. Familiar, tender, sometimes terrifying. I don’t want to say too much. This is the kind of story you walk into blind, and then walk away from changed. If you like stories that unravel themselves (and maybe a little bit of you), play it. Play it. Replay it. Obsess over it. Then lie awake thinking about it. Stay up at 5 AM thinking about how the nightmare broke you. Just… whatever you do, don’t trust the narrator. Or the Princess. Or maybe do?

This game is an absolute BANGER, if you like reading that is. If not, go play Minecraft or something. BUUUUUUT, if you like reading, then you're in for an GORGEOUS game that tells a love story(yes, really) in the most confusing and convoluted way possible(it's a good thing, I swear!). Be prepared to meet many faces of a princess, where (almost) every decision you take can lead to a COMPLETELY different path in your story. Fear, love, anger, betrayal, redemption, pure malice, you'll experience this and much more in this game. AND since this was made in Ren'py, this game can run on a toaster, isn't this amazing?

Everything about the presentation in this game is amazing, and the attention to detail is great.

It's not the masterpiece that a lot of the top reviews are claiming, but it is a very well polished gimmick that digs into very interesting themes. Still, it stumbles a bit with the execution. The art, writing, music, and voice acting are fantastic. One of my bigger issues with game is that - because the content can be seen in almost any order - the player can't get any kind of meaningful revelations about the overarching plot until a big exposition dump at the very end. Before that, it's just the exact same vague hints over and over again. The whole story is only about 4 hours, so it's not like you have to wait all that long for the reveal at least. I also find some of the points where the path does/doesn't split kind of questionable. For example (minor spoilers): Regardless of what choices you make beforehand, leaving her in the basement at any point will always result in the same path, but just about every slight variation of choices you make before picking a [Slay the Princess] option will result in a dramatically different outcome. I understand the important story reasons for the latter, but then there should be more variations of the former for consistency. Those are just minor complaints with the premise though. Overall, I enjoyed my time with the game. Still, I'm glad I got it during the Summer Sale, because that price tag is pretty steep given the game's length.

This is a beautiful love story, go forth into the unknown. Nothing else needs to be said.

A masterpiece in relationship psychology, every facet is thought through and the characters are phenomenal. Best VN I have ever played.

Games writing and art style is fantastic. The time loop concept is used very well, but might be a bit much to stomach for a 100%.

I played this, not like a visual novel, but like a puzzle exploration game. "What actions should I take to get to this ending?" "What items (voices) do I need to have on me before I fight the boss?" I find the game is more enjoyable that way. And it's interesting to think about--because it blurs the line between visual novels and other games. You'd think your choices would matter less in a format that's basically storytelling with pictures, but this subverts that expectation. Its more than I can say about some other games that allow the player character much more freedom, and yet make them conform to the linearity of a single story. I felt this game. To my core. The setting may be fantasy, but their experiences are real. It came to me at a time when I needed it. I feel playing through many if not all of the storylines is necessary to piece together what the game is trying to say. But I understand that it can be very tedious for some people. And it is tedious. If this game doesn't catch your eye, don't force yourself. It's probably not worth it. But if you do think its something worth your time, it may bring you the same joy it brought me.

Amazing game, go in blind for the best experience. Here is my experience in a nutshell: >Be me >Browse Reddit, randomly see an ad for Slay the Princess >Intersting... >I click on the ad >Fell for an ad ahhh moment > 97% Positive Reviews > Wait, looks solid. >I hit the buy trigger, something pulls me in magnetically >I dive in blind, a game completely outside my preferred genre >Oh my.. >One of the greatest games I've played in 24 years of my life Easily the top 3 best games I've played, felt so destroyed that there are no more games like it. Wonderful OST, voice lines, drawings. Go. In. Blind. Don't read reviews, don't do anything, just buy the damn game

A beautiful story of love and grief and how hurting those who you care about can ripple outwards and affect the world at large. The Den is best princess dont @ me

This game falls into the same category as Outer Wilds and Wandersong for me. Games that stick with you for the rest of your life.

"You're on a path in the woods. And at the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a princess. You're here to slay her." These are the lines with which we begin our journey, completely oblivious to what's to come, and we're going to hear this line many more times. "Slay the Princess" is a game that's completely centred around the concept of choice and consequence. It takes that concept and gives it a completely fresh and unique spin, weaving it into its own storytelling in a clever way. Right from the first few minutes, there are many actions we can do, and depending on what we do, the rest of the story is going to follow, matching our actions and pummelling us with the consequences every step of the way. You can listen to the narrator and just do as you're told, or you can defy him. You are after all, free to do what you want. And if that's so, what would you do if you could do anything? Would you slay the princess for your own amusement? Would you rescue her and go towards your happily ever after? Would you trick her and stab her in the back? Would you refuse to do the task altogether? "You're on a path in the woods. And at the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a princess. You're here to slay her." You're saying you've heard this all before? That's not possible. This is the first time you've heard this line. The game can do a great job at gaslighting you. And it will respond and comment on everything you do. During our entire journey, we're joined by the Narrator. Who he is, well, we don't know. But he claims he knows what's best for us and is adamant that we slay the princess. But in addition to him we have our own inner voice which may question the Narrator. And as we progress further, new voices inside us join in, depending on how things have gone. We may have our inner skeptic or inner paranoia start speaking to us. In times it can get really crowded in our head, and all these conflicting voices argue with each other in order to steer us to do one action or another. The entire writing of the dialogue between them is stellar. At times it can feel like it drags on a bit and hurts the pacing, but most times it's an absolute treat. "The pain feels good. Because I know you feel it too." - The Wraith So what exactly are we supposed to do? Well, to tell you that would be to give away the game. One of the best things about "Slay the Princess" is unravelling the story part by part, layer by layer. This game is not for those who just want to do things one way and are done. This is for those who love choice and consequence and who take pleasure in exploring new avenues based on the choices we make, because the pathways of where our choices lead here are plenty. The story here can take a path into a heartfelt romance where you'll feel like you and the princess are soulmates, or it could go into Lovecraftian horror territory with body deformation and gore, and on some occasions you will smile and laugh because of the circus of voices in your head and their constant bickering. It's a game that would put you through a wide range of emotions. "Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves." - The Voice of the Paranoid This game has an incredibly beautiful art style, the entire time happening in what looks like a handdrawn world inside a fiction book. But despite the style being the same, the scenes in each chapter that results from our choices are so vastly different to the others, and each princess design and persona has uniqueness and its own personality. The sound direction is also superb here. Music is excellent and each time adds huge amounts of tension or emotion to the scene (especially my favourite is the music track that plays during the final confrontation). And as mentioned before, the voice acting is incredible, which fully does justice to all the well-written lines. Although I could read the text faster than the voice acting, I just didn't want to skip it as I was enjoying how the voices were conveying the characters across. "One last door and then we're free." - The Princess "Slay the Princess" is an incredible artistic masterpiece. It's not just a game, it's more like an experience. When I started it, I was confused, and it was hard to understand why this game is so revelled, but as I got further and further, it grabbed me tightly with its thorny vines and went right for the heart. Yes, it's not for everyone, but it doesn't need to be. It took its unique vision and elevated it to its full potential, helped by the pristine visual and audio presentation. What it does, it does impeccably. This is a love story.

The game has great speakers, drawings and music. Choices really do matter. With the "the pristine cut" update it is much easier to keep track of the story lines.

As of the time posting this review, i wanted to say that this game has a special place in my heart with the story writing, gameplay itself, and of course, the most iconic part of it all: choosing your own path. i'm just another consumer of the product, my opinion may not matter much, but i seriously do recommend everyone outside and inside steam to give this game a try. You will NOT be disappointed. This game is the one and only game that ever made me shed a tear........ and made me look at british language from.. a *different perspective* ;P

Please give this game a chance. Even if you are like I was and think you hate visual novels, try this. The writing is fascinating and gripping, and new layers are unfolding constantly. Maybe the art style had you worried that this was some low effort thing, but I promise it is the opposite of that.

Simulator of a guy trying to meet a girl, with addition of scizo and voices in the head (canon btw).

>opens game >follows instructions >gets the good ending and saves the world >"haha nice, good game" >uninstalls >gigachad.jpg 10/10, would slay the princess again

It's everything I hoped it would be. I'm often reluctant to make certain choices in games- I want to see what happens, but I can't bring myself to. This game really helped encourage me to see everything and made it a delight. I never felt like I had to be pointlessly cruel, I could relate to the protagonist even when I was making choices very different from the ones I would make.

Fun premise, feels a bit short as if there is a third missing leaving me wanting a little more after any given ending.

The second i saw serenity forge i immediately got DDLC ptsd but honestly this game even though it does have gore n horror elements to it, is actually pretty fun/funny and interesting because it also has all these sweet/bittersweet moments sad/joyful moments it's just a beautiful game

A masterpiece of narration, which makes me wish I had better words to explain how good it truly is. A game about love, hate, trust, risk, betrayal, about questions and answers. A game with a simple idea on a surface level, infinitely deep in its execution. A game with very few characters, infinitely deep in personality. A game with a single objective, with an infinite amount of possibilities. A game about ever shifting perspectives, just like yours change throughout the story... It left me without words in the end. The visuals are great, the music is excellent, the voice overs are STUNNING. A unique, one of a kind narrative experience that I would recommend to anyone, WELL worth its price. Fair warning, the game can get really gore- but never for the sake of it.

I liked most about this game is that even when there were not as many options all my choices felt like my own and even when i picked a route it felt like no route was the same. For new players the best way to play the game is blind and exploring who the princess is in your own way.

Absolutely Loved this game, I like the horror aspect and the freewill to choose my decision's. I give the game a 10/10

Truly amazing, amazing story amazing music amazing writing amazing voice acting. Please, give it a go, you will enjoy it!

I bought this on sale, but I wish I had paid full price. I picked it after hearing people rave about it without spoiling anything, but I honestly wish I could have gone in ice-cold. This is one of those games you wish you could forget to experience it for the first time all over again.

holy shit. i started playing this at 02:14 AM thinking 'oh I'll only play a bit then go to sleep' its 05:26 right now. please play this. i cant describe the journey i went on while playing this

Amazing game has multiple paths and unexpected outcomes it is a actual gem from most of the games ive played before.

this is THE love story. unbelievably well written and produced. show this game to your therapist and tell them they suck.

definitely one of my favorite games of all time - i absolutely love the visuals, the characters, the voicelines, the story, just everything about this game is amazing i cried twice and i 100%d it (happily ever after got me messed up man) 1000000000000/10 cannot recommend this game enough

Great story, my kudos to narrative designer, voices behind the characters and art direction on this one.