Salome's Kiss

About

Salome's Kiss is a gothic visual novel that follows Letitia Reed, a repressed governess grappling with forbidden desires. Set in Victorian England, the story unfolds as Letitia flees London after becoming obsessed with her pupil Clara, only to find herself drawn to Genevieve, a headstrong young woman under her care in the Yorkshire moors. The narrative leans into tense emotional beats, with dialogue-driven interactions and branching choices that shape the relationship dynamics. Players navigate Letitia’s internal struggle through static artwork, voice acting, and text, with a focus on moral ambiguity and psychological tension. The game stands out for its unflinching exploration of taboo romance and atmospheric writing. While its pacing may feel slow to some, the character development and gothic melancholy have resonated with fans of narrative-driven indie games. With a runtime of around 10, 15 hours and minimal combat or action elements, it prioritizes mood and moral dilemmas over spectacle. Released in 2022, it remains a niche title praised for its bold storytelling despite a small player base.

Storyline

Letitia Reed is an unremarkable woman in many aspects. Meek and mild, she prefers to keep her head down, and fears drawing undue attention to herself. As a governess to the wealthy Mortimer family, Letitia devotes her humdrum days in London to the schooling of her pupil, Clara, to better mould her into the image of an ideal lady. Lurking beneath Letitia’s placid mannerisms, however, lay desires so intense they begin to unnerve her. As Clara matures, Letitia finds her feelings towards her maturing too – until, in the end, she can no longer bear it. Driven to distraction by Clara’s sensuous brown eyes and her sweet, seraphic laughter, Letitia soon begins to question her sanity. Fearful that, eventually, something within her might snap, and she will do something she regrets, Letitia is bidden to leave her former place of employment, and to seek out work elsewhere. Fortunately, Letitia soon discovers, in the pages of The Morning Post, a job offer which will grant her a means to escape her predicament. The Langley family are searching for a governess for their daughter, the unruly Genevieve – and, best of all, the family resides in the isolated Yorkshire moors, which seems as far away from London as it is possible to get. Upon reading this advertisement, Letitia soon decides to hand in her notice. She will travel to Yorkshire, become Genevieve’s governess, and then – God willing – she will be able to forget about Clara. Such was Letitia’s plan – but this plan, alas, soon goes horribly awry. Genevieve is not quite so young as Letitia first believed, and is, instead, a grown woman: already eighteen years of age. Genevieve is wilful and impetuous, but impossibly charming, and Letitia soon falls for her. As time passes, the two women get far closer than a governess and her pupil ought, and then…