Say it in Red | Episode 42: Heart of the Woods

Say It In Red

Shhh... keep still. Listen closely. Between the gasps of the snowstorm and the crowding underbrush, there's something lurking. Look, just up ahead - those two shadows are moving deeper into the forest. What could they be doing there, so far from the village and so long after dusk? Where could they be going, so lightly dressed in the midst of a blizzard? And most of all, do you think... maybe, they might be... girlfriends?
This week, Sara and Runa visit the snowy mountainside village of Eysenfeld in Studio Élan's Heart of the Woods, a yuri visual novel featuring supernatural romance, mystery, and some dramatic gay action. Our story unfolds as an internet broadcasting duo, Tara and Madison, make their way to a remote village in search of persuasive paranormal proof. Just before they departed, however, Madison declared that she would be leaving the show after this trip, taking her best friend and long time collaborator Tara by surprise. Before they can discuss the winding tension between them, they arrive at Eysenfeld's only train station and meet their host, Morgan - far more subdued and deadpan than either of them expected for one of Tara's ardent fans. Eysenfeld as a whole is far from what they anticipated, between the prickly reception they received from mayor Evelyn, Morgan's mother, and the dubious glances they get from all the townsfolk. Morgan is resolute, though, and offers to show them the sort of definitive proof of paranormal activity that Tara has searched for all her life. And she does.
And now, this investigation has gone from a sleepy retreat to a fight for survival... one that Madison is about to lose.
Heart of the Woods (2019) is a delightful queer visual novel featuring not one but two romances and a cast of quickly endearing characters. While there are some loose threads and pacing issues at times, this game is the perfect thing to get you thinking about significantly cooler weather, queer community, and ghost romance this pride month.
You can find more information about Heart of the Woods, along with Studio Élan's other work, on their website at vnstudioelan.com!
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