Spell Candle: A Bewitching Romance Mystery Visual Novel Now Live on Kickstarter
Bottled Monster Ink has officially launched the Kickstarter campaign for Spell Candle!
Following the release of its free demo on Steam, the campaign seeks to raise €25,000 to fund the full development of the team’s debut visual novel, a gripping blend of romance, mystery, political intrigue, and psychological exploration.
Spell Candle offers that rare magic where love meets loss, and every choice leaves an emotional mark.
Want a taste of what’s to come? The free Steam demo (around 90 minutes) is available now, offering an early glimpse at the world, characters, and tone of Spell Candle.
In this article:
What is Spell Candle?
Set in the ancient elven city of Candlewax during the sacred Dread Festival, Spell Candle places you in the role of a grieving journalist drawn into a web of secrets, politics, and forbidden love.
When a sleeping God suddenly vanishes and tensions erupt among powerful leaders, your investigation will take you deep into the heart of a city teetering on collapse. But amid the chaos, you’ll also find connection, romance, betrayal, and the fragile hope that comes from confronting your own grief.
With four complex romanceable characters, branching narrative paths, and deep worldbuilding, Spell Candle invites players to decide who to trust, who to love, and how to face their pain.
Why Spell Candle?
At its core, Spell Candle is more than just a story-driven romance mystery. It’s a thoughtful exploration of grief and mental health, built from studied models of how people experience loss. Over the course of the seven in-game days of mourning, players will make choices that reflect different stages of grief.
“This isn’t a diagnostic tool or a replacement for therapy,” the development team emphasizes. “It’s an interactive story about grief, love, and survival. We hope it resonates with players on a deeply personal level.“
Features:
- A 10–15 hour visual novel blending romance, mystery, and political intrigue
- Four romanceable characters, each with unique personalities, motives, and hidden truths
- Choice-driven gameplay with branching paths, multiple endings, and deep replayability
- A grief system that reflects the player’s psychological journey throughout the story
- Original soundtrack featuring 12 compositions, including music by guest artists Maria & Ivaila (Verya duet with Maria being a vocalist from Baldur’s Gate 3)
The free Steam demo (approx. 90 minutes) is already available for download, offering a first glimpse into the world, characters, and gameplay of Spell Candle.
About the Kickstarter:
The campaign’s initial funding goal of €25,000 will ensure the full development of Spell Candle. Stretch goals include partial voice acting, hand-drawn cinematics, new storylines (including the fan-favorite character Raya), and even fully voiced DLC content.
Backers can choose from a wide range of digital and physical rewards, such as:
Stickers, t-shirts, and art books
Having your name or original character included in the game
Exclusive sketches or custom lore-friendly OCs created by the team
High-tier bundles with opportunities for creative collaboration
Where and When and how to support?
The Spell Candle Kickstarter is live now and will run for 30 days!
Players can download the free demo on Steam and back the campaign to help bring this hauntingly beautiful story to life.
For a small indie studio like Bottled Monster Ink, every backer helps turn their first passion project into something extraordinary.
💌 Stay Updated
Want to stay close to the flame? Here’s how to follow the journey:
Follow Bottled Monster Ink on TikTok for behind-the-scenes insights
Wishlist Spell Candle on Steam
Join the Discord server to connect with other fans and share feedback
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