
TOUCHSTARVED: A Dark Romance Visual Novel
A downloadable visual novel for Windows and macOS
You were born cursed, with hands that twist the mind of any human you touch.
Desperation leads you to the shadowy city of Eridia, where your fate intertwines with 5 monstrous strangers. Each can offer you salvation…or damnation.
How far will you go to cure yourself?
Red Spring Studio is a small, POC and queer-owned indie studio made up of veteran game developers from Riot Games, Nix Hydra, Bungie, and more. The demo for TOUCHSTARVED contains the entire Prologue.
Choose your main character’s pronouns and origin story, and guide them through a thrilling journey with branching storylines, character based routes, and multiple endings. Your choices determine whether the story ends with gothic romance or blood-curdling horror. Will you lose your humanity in search for a cure, or will you find a way to save yourself and those you love?
Play our DEMO to meet your fate...

Characters

Kuras ✦ The Repentant Angel
“I rarely come across so fascinating a patient.”
An otherworldly angel condemned to eons spent among humanity, Kuras masquerades as a mortal doctor to hide his true intentions.

Ais ✦ The Demon Renegade
“You look lost, little sparrow.”
An intimidating outsider with violent ambitions, Ais offers miracles for the forsaken, but at a terrible cost.

Mhin ✦ The Cursed Outsider
"If you come any closer, you'll get hurt."
A moody hunter more skilled at killing than conversation, Mhin pushes people away to hide their deadly secret.

Vere ✦ The Chained Charlatan
"All that suffering has made your soul irresistible…"
Beautiful and dangerous, Vere is a cunning fox spirit born of the depths of the Shroud and bound by a magic collar.

Leander ✦ The Heroic Mage
"I can keep you safe as long as you trust me."
A dashing and rebellious mage, Leander seems like a perfect hero, but a darkness haunts his chivalry.

Features
✦ Customizable characters
Choose your Main Character’s name and pronouns (She, He, or They), and select from one of three unique backstories.
✦ Choose from 3 unique origins: The Unnamed, The Hound, or The Alchemist
Your origin affects your abilities and interactions with other characters. Each origin reveals hidden secrets and choices.
✦ TOUCHSTARVED is designed to be played multiple times
Replay the game to experience as much of the story and learn as much about the characters as possible. Your choices determine whether the story ends with gothic romance or blood-curdling horror.
✦ TOUCHSTARVED features 5 interconnected routes with 16+ hours of gameplay
Each route features a rich branching storyline rife with unique threats and horrors reflective of the character’s themes.
✦ With multiple endings for each route, TOUCHSTARVED contains 15+ possible endings
In a world steeped in horror, your decisions determine whether you can save yourself and the one you love. Not every ending has a happily-ever-after. You’ll have to choose carefully or you and your Love Interest may meet a gruesome end.

Social Media

Content Warning
TOUCHSTARVED contains mature themes and is intended for an older audience. Player discretion is advised. Specific warnings for this demo include but are not limited to: horror, unwanted advances, violence, alcohol and drug references, strong language, and serious injury.
| Status | In development |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS |
| Release date | Mar 21, 2023 |
| Rating | Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars (2,975 total ratings) |
| Author | Red Spring Studio |
| Genre | Visual Novel, Survival |
| Made with | Unity |
| Tags | Dating Sim, Fantasy, Horror, Indie, Monsters, Narrative, Romance, Singleplayer |
| Average session | A few hours |
| Languages | English |
| Inputs | Mouse |
| Links | Steam |
Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Development log
- Updates + Delay AnnouncementJul 31, 2025
- Demo Version 2.0 PatchJul 11, 2025
- Demo Version 2.0 UpdateApr 25, 2025
- Updated Mac Installation InstructionsApr 26, 2024
- Demo PatchApr 12, 2023
- Enter Key BugApr 09, 2023











Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
IM SO EXCITED FOR THE ACTUAL GAME TO COME OUT
I'm late to the hype, but I really loved the demo, and very excited for this game to be released! It is very well written, I was completely immersed and hooked by the story! The art is great, the worldbuilding is iteresting, I love how the MC has a strong personality and backstories of their own. I love the LIs, they are very different and interesting! So far, I'm gravitating most towards Leander and Minh, what can I say, I love charistmatic ones and tsunderes. Excited to romance them!
UAHHHHHHH I WANNA PLAY THIS GAME SO BAD BUT MY LAPTOP ISN'T LETTING ME OPEN ANY VISUAL NOVEL APPS I DOWNLOADED ONLY THE ONES I ALREADY PLAYEDDDD T^T
nice game!!!
I CANT WAIT THEY SAID ITS COMING OUT THIS YEAR!!!!
Wait WHAT!?!
YESSS IT’S COMING OUT SOMEWHERE THIS YEAR THE PART OF THE YEAR IS TO BE DETERMINED BUT I HOPE WE GET IT SOON!
Empecé a jugar por Ais pero me terminé enamorando Leander, siento que él me seduce con la mirada jaja. De verdad necesito la version completa
dont click on any links in the comments, they contain malware
and be sure to report them too.
I love this game soo much I need the full vers so bad
i have an mac silicon, but due to the update my mackbook turned to tahoe.
Oh this is GOOD AS HELL I am so excited I absolutely love all of them but Ais and Leander are my favorites.
Why isn't available on Android 🥲
this game, the type of romance it is, the storyline, and the art with the music allgive me heavy vibes of The Arcana, just all the love interests are men or male-looking characters.
After Nix Hydra (dev that made the arcana) disbanded, some of the devs went over to Red Spring Studios :)
i played this game a year or so ago (i don't remember) , and THIS IS SO TRUEEE. i loved arcana sm back in 2019-2020 ish
saben si esta en español?
nop
Please i need the full version of this rn
VERE IM COMING FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!! redheads my beloved
I can't wait for the full game! The decision to end the demo with a crucial choice of paths really serves to show that you aren't kidding, that decisions will truly matter. Which I appreciate.
我想知道今年冬天发布更多任务指的是今年的十二月份吗,因为十二月已经过去一半了而我真的很期待看到更多内容T
Does the silicon 4 file mean that I can't play this on the m4?
esta en español?
NOUP
Ty 😔
Show post...
good
When this game releases how much will it be?
if possible can you make a android version?
I LOVE IT! Every character and the society in ruins. Clibling the walls waiting for it to be fully released!
¡SPOILER WARNING!
Leander's manipulation is so endearing I almost fell for it (almost, just look at those eyes #weakonmyknees). Vere is scary, but at least I know what I'm getting myself into with them LOL
Ais has a soft spot for pets, and I respect that even if they have a debatable tendency towards violence...
Kuras? is simply perfect (the design??? OMG delicious) their strange way of having fun? I was loving it (not to mention that their name in spanish means 'heal')
And Mhin... my favorite introduction of all of them. I can't wait to know about their backstory.
Can I ask what you mean about Leander's manipulation? He's cocky but that's my toxic trait so I played through with him and loved the story so far, but I feel like I'm missing something!
Well, I can't say that he's manipulating us per se; these are just my assumptions. You could call it my trust issues, seeing Leander being so so persuasive. I mean, he's too persuasive with his words, wanting us to trust him, and it's obvious, and we've only just met him. (We can see how he says exactly the words MC needs to hear and how those words make them feel—relaxed, desired, needed. etc) If the game makes one thing clear, it's that even the love interests aren't what they seem and that they're hiding things. MC just arrived, and Leander is the only one who knows about their power. Given Leander's character (leader of a group and hates the government in power) I wouldn't be surprised if he wants to use it to his advantage. He's charming and gorgeous, I KNOW low key I'm interested in him trying to manipulate me like no way my turn. And that, but those are just my assumptions. When something is so right I can't help but doubt if it's real, and Leander it's just... so right. I just have a lot to think about his route because it was the one I found most interesting and the one I think has the most potential (what if there's a plot twist and Leander gets corrupted and becomes the villain? I'm dreaming I love villains LOL)
I absolutely agree with you and I think it's definitely intentional. I think he's meant to be deceiving which is why the character we play as even seems off-put by him. The fact that when you have the ability to choose one of them at the very end too it mentions that he might be too good to be true as well... Either way I am absolutely falling for Leander, I am willingly walking right into this possible trap. They all seem like they're supposed to be deeply flawed in some extreme aspect and I am like 99.9% sure that there's going to be some insane dark side to Leander.
just to ask but does anyone know when it’ll come out in 2026 or at least think? because im thinking it might come out early 2026 because we were supposed to be getting it this year but then it delayed (also does anyone know the price of the game when it gets released or will it be free please someone respond and don’t ignore me🥲)
It won't be free (not sure about the exact price so don't quote me on it lol) and yes, it's expected to release in 2026 (not any specified quarter yet)
thank you
Could you add the Spanish language please? I need it! ;-;
Thank you so so much for making this game, its so awesome, I just cannot wait for the full update!
Cuando habrá para Android? Lo necesito 😭
Spanish, pleaseee <3
This is soooo peak. I can't wait for the full release. :3
Is there an android version? I loved nyx hydra games before they shut down and i cant wait to try out this one
Omg rare The Arcana fan in the wild
They shut arcana down?! NOOOOO
their games got bought by another company and it pretty much ruined the game and their other stories
are you serious? Goddamnit I hate companies
.. Is the full game gonna be paid?(IM SO SORRY IF I SOUNDED REALLY RUDE)
This is sooo gooood like 🫶🫠
I am so OBSESSED! I NEED MORE i CAN'T WAIT <3 THANK YOU!!
This was super enjoyable, nicely done!
Community Note:
Please note that we will NEVER post new updates, builds, and/or important information regarding the status of this game in this comment section. For your safety, if you see any suspicious or external links, please do not click these links and block any spam bots that may be trying to steal your information.
All of our updates will only come from official sources such as our website, Patreon, Kickstarter, and our social media pages.
Thank you so much for enjoying the TOUCHSTARVED demo so far, and stay safe while browsing the internet! 🥰
Is it just me or are the voices not working?? Love the vn, can't wait for it's full release! <33
the voices arent in yet
прошел год с момента, как я проходила демо версию😭😭 я все еще жду
i need ais and vere at the same time. clearly they do too lmao
SAME. I pray theres a poly route. 😭😭😭
Joee ya quiten para Android 😭
didn’t expect to get this attached so fast. the writing and atmosphere hit hard, and every character feels dangerous in a way that’s hard to look away from. already obsessed and a little scared for what comes next.
Same!!!