A free visual novel game

John Doe is a free game released under a name your own price model, giving players the opportunity to support the developer if they wish. It is a visual novel style game, where the player is presented with a story accompanied with visual artwork, and is required to make occasional choices that effect the direction of the story.

Though John Doe is a visual novel like Yandere Simulator: Visual Novel, and Cinderalla Phenomenon, it contains elements of gore, as well as surreal and unsettling visuals.

A standard visual novel style

Visual novel games like John Doe are mostly passive experiences where the player is presented with a story and accompanying artwork. In the case of John Doe (and as with most visual novel games), the player occasionally has to make a decision, with that decision contributing to which of the four potential endings they eventually get.

Unsettling themes

While the game is not outright horror, it does contain many elements that you would find in a horror game, such as gore, surreal and unsettling visuals, strange characters, and unpleasant themes like stalking. It is a very short game, with the developer stating that a player can play to all potential endings in around 15 minutes.

Inconsistent artwork

The artwork used in the game is a mix of digital cartoon art and low-quality photographs, which may feel jarring to some. The game mechanics are simple enough for anyone to learn; however, it’s a mostly passive experience with only occasional input required from the player.

Not suitable for some

The game contains themes of mild gore, as well as things like stalking and unsettling imagery. It may not be suitable for all users, especially younger players.