Aarhus, Denmark – 16 of April, 2026 | Indie developer Not A Cat Studios has announced STARCULT. Night: Twisted Age, a dark fantasy visual novel with romance set in a mysterious world on the brink of catastrophe. Players use the emotion palette to read the true emotions and intentions of others, influence relationships, and uncover the truth behind the brutal murder of the protagonist’s husband.
The story is told by Silviya, a lady from the noble House Nebula who married its young head, Hans, as part of a deal. The game begins with his murder by an unknown monster shortly after the wedding party. She calls for a detective to investigate the crime. But one question remains: who is the real monster?
"The central theme of STARCULT. Night: Twisted Age is how human emotions influence relationships—how people express them, how they interpret them, and how they use them (whether accidentally or intentionally).We decided to present this in an interactive way by adding an Emotion Palette, which players will use as a unique tool for interacting with the game world," says Liliia Sitailo, the artist and CEO of Not A Cat Studios.
At the center of the experience is the Emotion Palette, a gameplay system that allows players to read the true emotions and intentions of others and shape how interactions unfold. The system offers a wide range of choices that influence relationships, outcomes, and the direction of the story. The game also features an Emotion Frenzy system, where choosing not to spend emotion leads to Silviya going insane, unlocking an alternative story route.
Key Features
- Make meaningful choices that lead to a variety of unique endings, including Detective, Hedonist, Mystic, Nihilist, Ascended, and secret paths
- Choose a character to form a relationship with: spicy, romantic, toxic, sadistic, codependent, casual, open, or platonic
- Read the true emotions and intentions of your friends and enemies using the emotion palette, and influence how they respond
- Create your own cult and choose its purpose
STARCULT. Night: Twisted Age is planned for release on Steam for PC, with additional platforms to be announced.
About NOT A CAT STUDIOS
NOT A CAT STUDIOS is an indie developer driven by a love for things that have a double meaning. As the team puts it, “we love cats, but we also love horror.” This contrast is reflected in their mascot, the tentacle cat, capturing their approach to creating experiences that reveal a deeper, darker meaning the closer you look.
The team creates games they would want to play themselves, combining elements of eldritch horror with vivid, realistic characters and richly developed worlds. Stories unfold gradually with the horror emerging as the full picture becomes clear. With STARCULT, they explore emotions through an artist’s palette and the challenges of empathy in an inherently unequal society.
