Fatal Relations

Released in 1998 for Windows XP-era PCs, Fatal Relations is an interactive drama that leans heavily into adult themes, intrigue, and morally questionable choices. More visual novel than traditional game, it focuses on relationships, secrets, and consequences rather than reflexes or puzzles. The presentation is unapologetically late ’90s, with pre-rendered visuals and a tone that takes itself very seriously. What stands out is how much the game relies on player curiosity: you’re encouraged to poke into conversations, explore emotional dynamics, and see how small decisions ripple outward. Sometimes the writing feels melodramatic, sometimes surprisingly restrained, but it’s rarely boring. Fatal Relations is best approached as a time capsule of an era when developers experimented with interactive storytelling without worrying too much about mainstream appeal. It may feel awkward today, but there’s an earnest ambition in how it tries to blur the line between game and adult psychological thriller.