Alex’s Journey to the Grave | Steam Deck Demo Review

I’m extremely passionate about mental health awareness, especially when it comes to videogames shedding light on it. Violet Horizon’s Alex’s Journey to the Grave is a visual novel that has major promise. The demo only lasts about thirty minutes, but in just this short span it broaches some major topics in the mental health sphere. I’m intrigued to play the full game when it releases later this year.

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

Alex’s Journey to the Grave features two characters named Alex who are both battling depression. They feel alone, so turn to the Internet for comfort and support. They end up meeting each other in an online chat room, and quickly bond. To say anymore would spoil the rest of the demo, but it hooked me from the very beginning. I myself have felt the way these characters have, so it hit close to home. If you’re turned off by darker subject matter, though, you’ll probably want to avoid this visual novel. It’s not afraid to address tough topics.

Underneath the Surface

The graphics of Alex’s Journey to the Grave are simple yet catch the eye. I loved the look of the online chat room, and the character designs are well-done. I also didn’t find any typos or grammatical errors in my short playtime, which is promising. The demo is polished and crafted with care.

The Final Verdict

If you’re interested in a visual novel that addresses mental health and darker topics, Alex’s Journey to the Grave is a captivating, promising visual novel. I highly recommend playing the demo to see if it’s your jam. It captivated me, and I’m looking forward to the official release of the game. Just be aware that it’s not afraid to go to dark places, subject-wise.

To hear me talk more about Alex’s Journey to the Grave, be sure to listen to the March 14, 2025 episode of The Gaming Outsider podcast.

This review is based on a Steam demo copy of Alex’s Journey to the Grave provided by Keymailer for coverage purposes. It is also available on Itch.io.