It’s a well-known fact that the scariest stuff comes from what you don’t see on the screen, and rather what you make up in your head. Text-based horror games (which are like interactive novels, really) are no exception, giving you just enough for you to start the wheels turning. That’s what
Sun’s Shadow Studios’ Beyond The Veil hopes to capitalize on when it’s released later this year.

The game puts a focus on character-driven storytelling, as well as giving you the choice of altering not just the story, but your character’s personality. Don’t worry, you’re not going to have to read everything if you don’t want to. The devs are casting voices for the characters in the game, starting with the game’s protagonist, Kara (who is voiced by Erika Ishii).

Beyond The Veil takes place in New Orleans, where Kara, an unemployed college dropout, has had to move in with her Dad. Kara has no discernible skills, and no direction. It’s her exploration of this city, and the friendships she makes there, that will mold her into the person she’ll become. What that entails is entirely up to you.

Choose a path that will allow you to experience up to three entirely separate stories, with thousands of pathways and over 18 different endings. Explore all three to unlock the fourth and final story. Along the way, the decisions you make will have an effect on one of Kara’s personality traits: Empathy, Jealousy, Honesty, Belief and Happiness. By making choices that increase or reduce the level of Kara’s traits, you’ll craft a personality for Kara which is unique to your experience.

Look for the game out on Steam later this year.