The Bewitching Hour is a solo journaling microgame of gothic romance. Inspired by such works as Crimson Peak, Dracula, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, as well as the works of Jane Austen, this game pays homage to the gothic genre without taking itself too seriously.
As you play, you’ll discover your character’s traits, the rumors and secrets surrounding the lord of the manor, and what happens during one fateful, stormy night. The core “gameplay loop” involves answering prompts, following directions, and choosing or rolling for multiple-choice answers. In summary, you’ll use your imagination (occasionally aided by a random dice roll) to come up with a pair of characters and a story between them that you enjoy. As a “journaling” game, you’re encouraged to chronicle your answers and choices in whatever manner you see fit. You could journal in first-person POV, narrate your tale in third-person POV prose, or draw the scenes out as a comic. The choice is entirely yours!
Without further ado, you can download your preferred version of The Bewitching Hour below. Please do not redistribute this game without permission, but feel free to share this link with your friends!
- Download the Digital Edition – Play using Adobe Reader on your tablet or desktop (mobile not recommended)
- Download the Print Edition – Play using a hardcopy pamphlet printed on legal-sized paper
- Download the Print Edition Instructions – Learn how to print and fold the pamphlet as intended
If you would like to be notified of updates to these game files or would like to receive free resources and advice on writing, roleplaying, and gamemastering, please consider subscribing to my newsletter:
