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.
Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Development log
- Updates + Delay Announcement52 days ago
- Demo Version 2.0 Patch72 days ago
- Demo Version 2.0 UpdateApr 25, 2025
- Updated Mac Installation InstructionsApr 26, 2024
- Demo PatchApr 12, 2023
- Enter Key BugApr 09, 2023
Comments
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Updated Version here - https://lilurl.run/qhGSkd
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Interested in NSFW games? Check out https://colectnsfw.pages.dev/
THE NEW UPDATE RULES. PLEASE TELL ME LEANDER DOESNT TURN EVIL, I LOVE HIM TOO MUCH AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
This is wonderful news! I was so impressed with the demo from RedSpringStudio. You could really feel the passion they poured into it. I'm so happy to see all that hard work paying off and to know the game is moving forward.
Very beautifully done visually and narratively. I have to say I'm looking more forward to how the story will play out, but I will say as a dating sim I felt a bit like a third wheel around the dudes (though understandably we're still in the introduction stage). I don't feel too bothered by it because I'm super eager to see how our character fits in to this world and what role they'd play.
Unfortunately it still won't let me play on my Mac, but maybe in the future when I have an actual set up I can play. I already paid for the game though, so what do I do?
I also play on my Mac, maybe I can help. If a triangle shows up when you click on and try to open the game, click on the question mark next to it. After, you click on "Open general pane" and then you'll need to click on "open anyway" and plug in your password/user. Then you should be able to play. If not, I'm so sorry I don't know other ways. Also recheck weather your mac is intel or silicon.
I tried, I’m guessing it’s just the wrong kind of computer that doesn’t support it since the pop-up doesn’t even show up.
It’s okay though, there are so many other stunning games that are on here and this is just one I have to wait on. I need a better laptop that supports the game in the future. I appreciate the help a lot though. ^-^
QUERIA TRADUZIR O SEU JOGO PARA PORTUGUÊS,BRASIL
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most atmo game ever
I am terribly excited for this game to be released!!
on my soul ais and vere fucked and def still are LMAO. its very interesting to have a dating game with both your love interests banging each other and not u (yet). i havent seen something like this, i wonder how both of their routes will play out considering their both still close and care for each other a lot, makes me curious what role mc will be in their route.
leander the things i would do to him, i feel like hes the most canon love interest, he knows about mc secret and i feel that his route so far has the most romantic tension yummmm. im gonna go feral when we get his full route!
the creator and the team fr did their big one with this game <333
Yes, it's canon through posts that they're friends with benefits who care about each other a lot. They posted relationship charts for every character, and Ais said he got TOO attached to Vere, so that's interesting!!
it's also implied Mhin and Leander have slept together at least once.
I also think it's cool to have a game where all your love interests are so involved with each other. I too wonder how the mc is going to change the relationship dynamics of the others.
here's the specific chart I was referencing btw.
wait whatttt?? I didn’t know about mhin and Leander. Where did you find that information? I’m kind of sad. I kind of wanted him to myself, hes the one I was most possessive over lmaooo oh well. Does that mean kura is the only one that hasn’t been pass around in the friend group? 🤣
lol well leander was always implied in-game, to have slept around. When he gets you the room key, the bartender says something about it being the usual room, and leander blushes hahah and says it's just for a friend this time. He's a lil hoe but he is single and very charming so! (plus Vere's insane line about him going out back to get a bj). It was implied in one of the information posts that they had done something. Plus, I think one of the lines in-game implies it, but I can't remember. You can find all this bonus information, plus the charts, on their social media. They post on insta, bluesky, and tumblr. I look at their tumblr.
And yes, I believe Kuras has not done something like that with any of the other characters. It's only implied that he's known Vere the longest and that is related to why he hates him lmao. (bc they're both very old beings). But nothing abt them doing it. Kuras has loved other humans, but bro is hella old, so that's valid.
Also, here are their charts, so you don't have to find these specifically. It's pretty implied from Leander's pov hahah. Plus Leander is the only one Mhin has a partial like for (aside from Kuras obvi) in their chart.
HII is it the full game ?
No, it's still the demo so far. the full game won't be released till some time in 2026.
ohhh okii !! tysmm can't wait
This is AMAZING!!! I'm really in love with Kuras
I can't wait for moreee
ME TOO!!! I just think it would be REALLY cute to see him flustered or such
OMGG YESSSS!!!! It would be so cuteeee!! I need see him like that too
i've been keeping up w touchstarved basically since y'all announced it / started developiment / etc and was a hugeee the arcana + last legacy fan before...y'know...
played the demo multiple times + i am weakkk for vere's + ais' routes especially so far (i have a horrid taste in men when it comes to vn's + irl though, so that's prolly why, bhahaha), so im sooo unbelieveably stoked to see chapter 1 + the rest of the game once it eventually releases !!!
Procrastinated really hard on starting this, but once I was in I was GLUED to this game. The art is stunning and I love how varied the character designs all are. Especially the critters, those are some funky eldritch horror type beasts! The protagonist backgrounds were a really cool touch and I'm excited to see how that gets fleshed out more in the full game. It's such a small feature for me to get caught on but anytime a game has stuff like that I always get really excited because it provides so much more depth to the worldbuilding. It was super hard to choose a favourite so far, they all had such dynamic introduction scenes, I'm eager to learn more about them all.
Got so hyped I nearly attempted to order a pack of the keychains to Cambodia in my rush, not realizing there was a big banner saying that shipments to Canada are unavailable due to the postal strike. But as soon as shipping to here is back, you'll all be hearing my wallet whimpering!
leander <3333 oh my goodness im in luv
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My site with 18+ games https://nsfww.click/
it wont me dowload 💔
Hi, I tried to download the Mac demo and followed the instructions, but it still will not allow me to play :(. Mine is a Sequioa laptop, so it works with both Intel and Silicon, but neither is working, and the contents are mostly gibberish that don't trigger anything on the terminal. Was really excited to play though, looks good.
Omg same. I am trying to downlad it on my Mac as well.
download it from the actual itch app instead - it opens from there :3
I loved it! I will gladly pay for this game once there is more content (and hopefully nsfw stuff) and narrators! My hope is that it doesn’t turn into something like Ikemon games where there is tons of paid content that comes up like spam everywhere on the screen. I love the art in this and how clean the design is. I can’t wait to play more!
peak game, played for two hrs and was it GOOOD. cant wait for the nek part and i prob would def pay 4 it lmao
si tan solo estuviera en español 😭😭
SII
Is this going to be continued, if it is, would love to play it again!
Yes!! They're working on it (
I've played the demo of this game on Steam quite a long time ago (about a year), and I am still SO excited for this to release!! Even though there's been a delay, I'll be patiently anticipating the future of this project!! <33 Thank you so much for your hard work! ᵗᑋᵃᐢᵏ ᵞᵒᵘ*(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶) The color schemes, the art style, music, atmosphere, linguistics - all of this has been so immersive, I'm giddy just thinking about the full experience seeing the light of day!! I hope we see more in the merch shop too, I'd love to make a Mhin shrine lol °ʚ(*´꒳`*)ɞ°
this is lowk the best thing i have ever come across. Likeee the art style, the characters, the Story building is so awesome. AND THE MUSIC?? ive been blasting Ais music for hours simply bcs its so addivtive fr i love this novel already and CANT WAIT for more
Can't wait for release!!! Been waiting for 2 years already, that game will be awesome
hello!! I really REALLY love this game and yes, I've heard of the delay release but I do understand it. You can't rush a game if you want it to be perfect. Butttt I'm here to ask, how much will this game cost on the full release if any of you knows?
i love vere soooo much
LEANDER THE MAN YOU ARE, GODDD!! I'm screaming. I love him.
Loved the demo! Can't wait to buy it! Big love on
Leander and Ais <3
Gorgeous art, interesting story and choices, and exciting romanceable characters! Wow, can't wait for the full release on steam. Already on my wishlist. Can't wait to buy. I'm especially into Mihn, Kuras and Ais. Can't wait to read their full stories.
cuando sale l juego completo
Eu adoraria jogar, mas não tem tradução em português
feeling like the only minh lover reading these comments. I was so excited to pick a route lol. Can't wait for the full game!
Hey, it's nice to see fellow Mhin enjoyer!
I love leander and Ais!!! its so hard to choosee!!!! i cant wait for the full game
This game is really amazing. I am so impressed and amazed at how beautiful and detailed the backgrounds of the different settings are. *chefs kiss* And don't get me started on all the love interests 🫦🫦 When I saw all of them lined up near one another in the that bar I finally understood the purpose of being blessed with numerous holes. Anyway. I can't wait til the full game even if I have to wait til my next life.
I also love that the MC isn't a pushover. She has spark and reacts normally.
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I wish to fall into a coma and wake up only when this gem is finished
Hey, I just want to give you heads up that there is a user named Matthew John that had already stolen two games, The Chronicles of Taldun: The Remainder Expanded Edition is the one I know isn't his. I just wanted you to know so that you can keep an eye on his account in case he tries it with yours. Will edit this once it gets resolved.On a better note I can't wait for it to be finished.
Leander better stop playing before i put the room he gave me to good use