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Horror Visual Novel ‘Death Mark’ North American Release Confirmed
Aksys Games announced a few months back that they were in the process of bringing their horror visual novel Death Mark to North America. That process now has a date. Just in time for Halloween, Death Mark will hit PlayStation 4, PS Vita and Nintendo Switch on October 31st.
There will also be a limited edition of the game planned for each system. The limited edition will include a physical copy of the game, an exclusive 96-page full-color hardcover art book, the game’s soundtrack on CD, a temporary tattoo sheet, and a dramatic-printed slipcase to hold everything.
Here’s the official synopsis for the game: In Death Mark, a strange rumor is spreading in Tokyo’s H City: those who bear the Mark will die. Unexpectedly appearing on the body, like a chewed up birthmark, the Mark is said to result in an unknown death. Now, having lost your memory, you stand before a mysterious house said to protect those who possess the Mark. As the doors swing open, the countdown to death has already begun.
In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war, but it was a cheerful illustrator from England who helped to define the terrifying war-torn imagery that inspired what we now know as Grimdark (a hybrid genre combining horror with sci-fi/fantasy).
Unfortunately for fans of Warhammer 40,000, Trench Crusade and countless other sources of Grimdark thrills, veteran artist John Blanche passed away this week after struggling with health issues for the past few years.
While the artist retired back in 2023, he leaves us with an enormous legacy of iconic artwork that continues to inspire gamers and storytellers around the world to this very day.
The news is especially gloomy as it was only last year that Daniel Lowman and Napoleon Dynamite himself Jon Heder released The Grim & the Dark: The Search for John Blanche, a documentary following Heder’s exploration of the Grimdark genre culminating in a heartwarming encounter with Blanche in his own home.
Below is one of my favorite pieces by Blanche, his highly influential depiction of Warhammer 40k’s God-Emperor of Mankind on his Golden Throne.
We send our deepest condolences to John Blanche’s family, friends, and fans.
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