Willows: A Dream of Shadows

Game premise and genre

Willows: A Dream of Shadows is a gothic psychological horror visual novel puzzle game centered around Maria and Matthew Willows, siblings trapped in their monotonous lives. Maria manages a struggling video store in a deteriorating city, while her younger brother, Matthew, grapples with deeper existential questions about their identity and origins. The siblings’ contrasting perspectives drive the narrative as they navigate their bleak surroundings.

Characters and setting

The game introduces Maria as the responsible older sister, focused on survival by going through the motions of daily life. In contrast, Matthew displays an insatiable curiosity, questioning their past and the nature of their existence. He perceives entities called the Shadows, which observe the siblings. This dynamic emphasizes the tension between acceptance and inquiry as they confront their stagnant reality in a shadowy, oppressive environment.