Horror visual novels Psychological horror Horror Anime horror

Where Winter Crows Go

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Snowed in at a stranger's cabin, with a host who does not want you to leave.

Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, Android
Stores: itch.io
Price: Paid
Rated: 4.8 out of 5 on itch.io (1,381 ratings)
Length: 2 to 3 hours
Players: 1
Controls: Mouse or keyboard to advance text and pick choices; touch on Android
Made by: prikarin (Pri Karin)

What frightens Stranded in a blizzard, Aspen takes shelter in the isolated cabin of a researcher who studies crows and calls them snowflake. His kindness has a hold to it, the storm keeps them alone together, and the red-eyed grin on the cover shows where it is going.
Content: recommended for ages 17 and over, the maker lists trigger warnings for dark themes.

Where Winter Crows Go is a yandere psychological horror visual novel by prikarin, made in Ren'Py. On the way to a ski holiday Aspen's car breaks down, and the only shelter is the isolated cabin of an environmental researcher named Crowe. It has three endings and takes two to three hours.

About Where Winter Crows Go

Where Winter Crows Go is a visual novel by the solo maker prikarin (Pri Karin), first entered in the Winter Visual Novel Jam 2022 and later in the Yandere Game Jam 2023. Aspen needs a break and books a week in Frostpeak, a ski town. Their car breaks down on the way, and the nearest place to go is a log cabin deep in the snowy woods.

The cabin belongs to Crowe, an environmental researcher who studies partial migration in birds. He is welcoming, he cooks, and he calls Aspen 'snowflake'. The question the game puts to you is whether Aspen should stay with this stranger or risk the freezing weather to find somewhere else. The maker tags the game as horror and psychological horror and describes Crowe as a mysterious yandere, so the warmth of the cabin is not meant to be trusted.

You play by reading and choosing. The story runs about 25,000 words, with original sprites, nine CGs, small food illustrations and partial voice acting, and it ends in one of three ways. You can play as Aspen, a nonbinary protagonist with a side portrait, or as an unseen protagonist with your own name and pronouns.

The game is recommended for players 17 and older, and the maker asks you to read the trigger warnings before buying. It is a paid download for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, in English or Latin American Spanish. It suits players who liked yandere visual novels such as Vacation Terminal or It Gets So Lonely Here and want a slower, snowbound story where the threat is the person being kind to you.

How to play Where Winter Crows Go

Buy the game on its itch.io page and download the build for Windows, macOS, Linux or the Android APK.
Read the maker's trigger warnings before you start, since the game is meant for players 17 and older.
Choose to play as Aspen or as an unseen protagonist with your own name and pronouns.
Read through the story and pick choices when they appear; they decide which of the three endings you reach.
Save before big decisions so you can go back for the other endings.

Screenshots

Where Winter Crows Go screenshot: red-haired Aspen sees a snowed-in log cabin in the woods during a blizzard

Where Winter Crows Go screenshot: Crowe stands in his cabin's living room and calls himself an environmental researcher

Where Winter Crows Go screenshot: a large crow with glowing red eyes perches on the cabin porch rail in the snow

Where Winter Crows Go CG: Crowe turns from washing dishes to stare at Aspen

Where Winter Crows Go screenshot: Crowe in a winter coat in the snowy forest says they should head back before dark

Tips

Save often; reaching all three endings is easier when you can return to earlier choices.
If you get stuck on an ending, the maker has published a walkthrough linked from the itch.io page.
Pay attention to small things Crowe says about his work and the crows; the mystery is in the details.

Questions

How long is Where Winter Crows Go?

The maker gives about 25,000 words, or two to three hours of play, for the full game.

Is Where Winter Crows Go free?

No. It costs 5 US dollars or more on itch.io, and the maker also sells it through a Ko-fi shop.

How many endings does Where Winter Crows Go have?

Three, according to the maker.

Is it a horror game or a romance?

Both. It is a yandere visual novel tagged as horror, psychological horror and romance, and the maker recommends it for players 17 and older and lists trigger warnings.