▲ 597 r/mtg
Favourite Secret Lair Drop alternate art for a card? I'll start:
I laughed so hard the first time I saw this, I will never forget it, 10/10
u/Responsible_Bit6855 — 13 hours ago
▲ 18 r/slaytheprincess
My first run (completely blind) to Slay the Princess [Long Post]
(English is not my main language, so forgive me for any mistakes I could make.)
I played this game for the first time in December 2024 (2 months after The Pristine Cut release, which provided subtitle support for Spanish), and I knew NOTHING about it. I purposefully avoided spoilers because a friend recommended it to me a lot, and I wanted to experience the game completely blind.
And the last week, I found ALL the messages that I sent to him with my reactions to my first run. So, I hope you like it <3
——————————
Well, my first Princess was The Adversary.
This was the result of two things:
- The Narrator was reaaaaally vague about the whole "kill this Princess you know absolutely nothing about the world is going to end trust me bro", so... I didn't really trust him. Also, he was really getting on my nerves, avoiding direct questions and at the same time sounding so all-knowing... I also didn't like him very much, to be honest.
- I took the blade for my own protection, went into the basement and encountered the Harsh Princess. I tried talking to her, but she was really rude and kept provoking me the whole time, as if she didn’t care that I could help her escape or kill her. That, coupled with the fact that the Narrator kept repeating-repeating-repeating that I should stop talking and slay her really pissed me off. So, ironically, I ended up doing what the Narrator wanted me to do and killed her after fighting.
Even my friend was like "DAMN, YOU KILLED HER JUST LIKE THAT?" and I responded "SHE WAS THE ONE PROVOKING ME, SO RUDE"
I then started Chapter II, and I was SO. CONFUSED.
The Narrator didn't remember anything???? I definitely died, the princess broke all the bones inside my body. And the Voices also remembered everything! Oh, and since when there's the "Stubborn" voice? What are the Voices? Are other people there with me? Why can't I see them?
Also, the Narrator wasn't trying to be subtle any more: he was BLATANTLY LYING to my face. "Oh, you are special, you are really the only one who can slay her!"
YEAH, after finishing the game, I discovered that that is technically true, he only could depend on me if he wanted the princess dead, so... okay, he didn't lie at that moment, BUT COME ON, THAT SOUNDED SO FAKE!
That's a text I sent to my friend while I was playing this part:
>“The Narrator: 'If you died, it's probably because you didn't listen to me'.”
CAN I PUNCH A NON-EXISTENT BEING IN THE MOUTH?
So, I entered the cabin, very very intrigued to discover why I was "blessed" with this second opportunity. Let me make a quick summary of how it went:
- Oh!, the cabin is so different now. EY, why can't the narrator see the mirror? Oh, the mirror disappeared when I tried to touch it? Very normal, yeah, very normal.
- Better take the blade again, I don't trust even my own shadow at this point.
- HEY, THE PRINCESS DIDN'T HAVE HORNS THE LAST TIME I SAW HER.
- Oh, but she remembers what happened last time, that convinced the Narrator finally!
- Oh, but she remembers what happened last time, I am going to turbo die right now.
- EVERYTHING CONTRADICTS EVERYTHING. EVEN THE CHARACTERS CAN'T AGREE ON WHAT'S HAPPENING. I AM LEAVING, BYE
- aaaaand the Princess broke free and smashed my head like a muffin. Yeah. Great.
My friend replied that it was so pathetic that I tried running away, but I answered: "IF A NORMAL PRINCESS COULD BREAK MY RIBS WITH A SINGLE PUNCH, A DEMON-PRINCESS COULD PERFECTLY EVAPORATE THEM". Dare to tell me I'm wrong, come on.
Started the Chapter III (The Eye of the Needle) right away, and this time I left the blade behind. That thing was only making things worse, or not helping at all. I genuinely thought that this action would help me end this chapter without violence.
So, I kept going, found the Princess and-
Hey. Heyeyeyeyeyeyyeyeyeyey. No, you can't be serious. You're mad I left the blade behind?! I WANT TO TALK THINGS OUT, FOR GOD'S SAKE!
This time, however, I managed to escape outside of the cabin, open field, there I can maybe-
...
...
...
... where did the Princess go?
I assume almost everyone was as confused as I was when I encountered the Shifting Mound for the first time, so I'm not going to get into the specifics. Just you know, it was weird, confusing and I got almost no answer to what the hell was going on.
So, back to the beginning, square one, the Narrator talking about some Princess that needs to get slain and bla bla bla. After that experience, what do you think was my first reaction?
I turned back and got away from the cabin. Nope, I'm not going to die again, no, thanks, bye.
But I always ended up at the cabin. Again. And again. And again. But I kept insisting.
Until the world ended, and the Chapter II: The Stranger began.
While revising the messages, I was a little confused, because I didn't remember giving The Stranger to Her. As of today, I don't even have the Steam achievement!
And that's because, when the chapter began, I still refused to go to the cabin. Absolutely beautiful. I love my past self, so determined to not participate in whatever thing was happening, no matter the cost.
But yeah, didn't matter a lot, because the hands took me and basically said "What is your problem? Go back there you stupid coward."
Well, not exactly that, but they were angry at me for sure.
Well, third try I guess.
Escaping didn't work, so I thought going friendly might do the job. I tried before with the Eye of the Needle, but I assumed it was too late to talk things out at that point. So, now I encountered the Gentle Princess.
She looked veeeeeeeeeery sus.
I didn't trust her in the slightest. She didn't know she was supposed to have a name? Why is she so chill all of a sudden? Okay, I didn't bring the blade with me this time. Oh, she dodged the question to "what have you been eating and drinking all this time?" I'm sorry if I asked something I shouldn't, but is a very important important question to answer, you know?
Every word she said to try to convince me was making me more sceptic. It worked a little bit, I started to feel compassion for her, but then I remembered that she crushed my ribs and smashed my head. No, lady, not today. You didn't have compassion for me early, I won't give it to you now. You will stay here, abandoned, I don't care.
And then, she dropped the mask entirely.
The Princess started to make the faces the Harsh Princess made when I talked to her at the beginning of the run and threatened me.
I thought I managed to see through her lies before it was too late, and abandoned her in the basement as I intended.
I was back at the cabin and SCARED AS HELL, so I blocked the entrance because I was SURE I would regret it, and tried to delay the inevitable as long as possible.
I sent this image to my friend with the message "THIS IS NOT A LOVE STORY, YOU'RE DRUNK, WHAT THE HELL IS THIS". He replayed with "But look at how much she wants you!", and I responded "YEAH, SHE WANTS ME DEAD" ^((this joke works better in Spanish))
I stayed there (I can't remember if I was stuck there of if I refused to go outside) AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY CHARACTER DECIDES THAT A NAP IS A GOOD IDEA
WHAT THE HELL, BIRD-PERSON. WHY NOW, WHY
I saw it coming right away. When I woke up, the door was (obviously) open, and the "Princess" was (obviously) there, but like... a ghost. But I couldn't understand why she was turning into a ghost, I didn't kill her (to this day, I still don't understand it).
AND I UNDERSTAND EVEN LESS WHY MY ORGANS DECIDE TO HAVE A NAP WHEN THE PRINCESS APPROACHES, AND I SIMPLY JUST DIE
^(Just to clarify: I was not frustrated with the game or angry at it, I was enjoying it so much. Those emotions were part of the experience and what made it so fascinating. Not every game has the ability to make you feel this way in your first run. I know that, and I knew that at the moment. So, keep that in mind, this was incredible and enjoyed every second of it <3)
When I woke up, I was blessed with the Chapter II: The Nightmare and this beautiful interaction between the Voices and the Narrator:
>HERO: If He doesn't remember what happened, then maybe it's best to keep it that way.
PARANOID: Shhh. What if He hears us?
NARRATOR: That's a very good question, little voice. What if He does hear you?
PARANOID: Shit.
It was so funny, I laughed so hard at this, I love them so much.
Uh? Oh, yeah, I have created a Nightmare, true. Very true. And even better: I knew that going into the woods was pointless, so... back to probably dying, I guess!!!!
While I was reading my messages, I was ready for some horror or terrifying experience from this part, but I discovered it was actually the opposite: I was FASCINATED with the narrator descriptions and staging, and I was taking screenshots like I was being paid for it.
But the fascination didn't last long, because the Nightmare appeared.
My body started whispering that another nap was coming, and I didn't have a say about it, so...
Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves.
Eh? Am I hearing something?
Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves.
Wait, what is the Paranoid doing?
Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves.
Oh.
Oh!
Heart. Lungs. Liver. Nerves.
Oh! I can live! What the hell?!
I didn't understand that, but was NOT going to question it. That was working, somehow, and I was IN ECSTASY!
The fact that I could hear the Paranoid saying the phrase over and over again while the game continued and the Princess and other Voices were talking... I LOVED IT!!!!! It is a very little and simple detail, but I don't know how, it really shocked me in a very good way.
Well, after that, I talked to the Princess and she wanted to escape, but needed me to be alive. It's hard to make this plan work when her only presence shuts down your organs BUT, to the Narrator's despair, I decided to follow the Pacifist Route and accepted to help her.
I can't find any message or screenshot able to tell me if I went with or without taking the knife, but at the end, it looks like I stuck to my initial decision and ended the chapter peacefully.
Oh, yeah, the hand thing took the Princess! Well, that was for nothing? Obviously not, I didn't know what the Shifting Mound was, yet.
So, after playing for 3 hours, I called it a day and went to sleep, but not without detailing my theory: "This entity will prey on the princesses and harbour an absolute hatred for the world". It made sense to me, the only two Princesses I encountered became evil at the end.
I waited 4 days to end my first run. Unfortunately, I almost didn't report my reactions of the ending to my friend (good sign, it means that I was so invested in it), and by the very few screenshots I made, it seems it went like this:
- I went down the basement with the blade so I could help the Princess by... cutting her arm from the shackle? No, that was not what I had in mind!
- And then the Narrator does the trick of only showing the Slay the Princess option!!!! (what a bastard)
- I didn't notice the Resist option, so I stabbed her. After that, I encountered The Tower (3rd Princess) and I submitted to her.
- My friend asked why I didn't try to kill the Princess, and I answered "I wanted to try submitting to her, to see what would happen. Besides, you don’t say no to a woman who's 2.10 metres tall. She’ll snap your neck with her foot."
- Back at square one. I went down without the blade, so the Narrator couldn't force me to stab the Princess. I didn't know how she would free herself, but- Oh. Oh, she is eating her arm. Since when was this an option? And why didn't she do it before I came to slay her? That didn't seem to annoy her.
- Then, the blade came falling down the stairs, and I tried to slay the Princess (it seems that I didn't trust her entirely after being SO CALM about the fact she ATE HER OWN ARM), making her into The Witch (4th Princess).
- I tried to make amends by helping her escape (with the Princess going behind me), and SHE ATTACKED ME while we were climbing the stairs. I can't see if I went with or without the blade.
- What a bastard, I should've seen that coming.
- Let's try again. Down to the basement, knife in hand, and I try to free the Princess again. Maybe there was an option I didn't consider?
- RIGHT, THE RESIST OPTION, I FINALLY SAW IT! So I went for it.
- And... I froze on the spot.
- AND OF COURSE, the Princess kills me. It seems to be the norm, by now.
- That took me to The Prisoner (5th Princess), and keeping my faith in her, I gave her the blade and- holy hell, she was actually planning to decapitate herself.
- Well, I took her head outside the cabin, and SHE THANKED ME! I can't remember if the gratitude of a decapitated Princess made me feel good or bad.
And the Shifting Mound took form! Well, before that was the Narrator, and I (respectfully) listened until there were no more fragments of him. I really felt bad for him.
Then, finally, the Shifting Mound.
As I said, I was not messaging my friend while this happened, so I don't really remember what I was feeling or how I was reacting. What I am sure is that I was amazed, but I didn't understand exactly what I had to do now. The Narrator gave me answers, yeah, but now I was standing in front of a changing god that I fed with princesses that did not have a lot of good things to say about me (besides the Prisoner, I think).
But then, the Voice of the Hero guided me to the cabin again. To her. To the Princess.
I went down with the blade, because I was preparing myself to expect the unexpected. I remember that the quietness around me was, ironically, making me feel very nervous. Everything was so calm, and that was new.
She didn't receive me very well (I had the blade, what could I expect), but I focused on talking to her.
And for the first time, in the whole run, I was able to do that. Talk. Just talk, without any Narrator or Voice telling me what to do or think, just the Hero (I like that guy, the most chill among all the Voices).
And after exchanging some words, the Princess made her proposal: erase all of our memories, and repeat the cycle again.
By the few screenshots I took, it seems that the Princess was telling me that erasing everything was a better solution than killing her (she made it VERY EXPLICIT that she didn't want to be killed), and since I came down with the knife, better put it to good use.
And then, I remembered it. The feeling. The impotence. The very minutes that went between screenshot to screenshot (I make a lot of screenshots of a game when I'm really invested into it), because I was thinking really hard about what I wanted to do next, everything looking so final and irreversible. I didn't want to mess up everything. The Princess I fed with hating versions of herself that wanted to hurt me in some way or another was telling me that, by looking at the situation, it was better to reset everyting.
AND I DIDN'T WANT THAT! Why was she suggesting such a drastic solution? Just going to square ZERO again, as if nothing happened???
I wanted to talk, grabbing the blade only for my own protection against the unknown. I wanted to be happy, I wanted her to be happy. I didn't expect us to be a couple or something like that, given everything that happened until this point, but I wanted a future where we could love and respect and smile to each other without having to decide between that "remedy" or ending her once and for all.
And no, I didn't know you could save and load the game so you could go back and amend your choices. I always thought that everything was final, decisive and irrevocable.
My friend later told me about the options, and I felt good and bad about it. On one hand, not knowing that I could act without real consequences made the game SO REAL, and I was very conscious about every action I took during my run (my favourite game is UNDERTALE, I mean...). On the other, however, I could have achieved my happy ending with her, and live in peace together.
But that wouldn't have been so satisfying, so at the end, I was glad I didn't know about those options.
Back to the game (that's the end of the post, I promise, thank you if you've read this far)
With all the fear of ruining everything even more... with helplessness and pity filling my heart... I chose to reset everything. I didn't want that in the slightest, but all the other options seemed worse or uncertain, and I couldn't take that risk.
So, with one last smile, a last act of compassion, I gave her the blade. And, for the first time, we respected each other mutually, and could end the interaction without any harm or distrust. Just a simple "I love you".
Then, everything went dark.
Suddenly, I was on a path in the woods, with the mission to slay some Princess, because if I didn't, it would be the end of the world.
——————————
THAT'S ALL!!!!
If you've read this far, I sincerely thank you for it. I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS, I PROMISE, but I started writing, and writing, and by the time I saw what I had done... well, I thought it would be a shame if I deleted it.
Maybe this post ends up forgotten and unseen, but it was worth putting the effort.
I'll be sincere: I started this post with the idea of asking "Who were your first five princesses?". Not only the first one, all five of them. It would be really interesting to see how the different iterations of the Princesses decided how the players choose their options and confronted the following Princesses, the Narrator and the Voices along their first run.
So, to put an end to this already very long post: thank you again for reading all of this, from the bottom of my heart <3 This game has been (and still is) so awesome and spectacular, and I can't wait to keep discovering all the secrets that hide within the Construct
u/Responsible_Bit6855 — 28 days ago