Tiny Bunny Visual Novel Review. A game of сhildhood fears

The black-and-white visual novel Tiny Bunny is based on the short story of the same name by online writer Dmitry Mordas. The developers at Saikono didn't simply adapt the key events into a video game format; they expanded the original and made the story nonlinear. The result is one of the most interesting examples of the genre in recent memory. The final fifth episode was released on December 5, 2025. We've already completed the full version of Tiny Bunny and are eager to share our impressions.

The short story Tiny Bunny feels like a variation on the work of Stephen King. The novel It, which was adapted into a film and a prequel series, comes to mind first. Dmitry Mordas's novel takes place in a village where children regularly disappear, teenagers often behave aggressively toward their peers, and an unknown evil lurks nearby, thirsting for human flesh. The events unfold rapidly, but the action ends far too abruptly. The events are clearly lacking in detail — we know almost nothing about the characters, so they don't evoke sympathy. And the story can't really be called scary.

However, Tiny Bunny had a clear potential. And it was realized in the game based on it. Despite the fact that some monologues and scenes are identical, the plot of the visual novel is noticeably different from the short story. For example, it contains many important details that immerse you in this eerie, yet uniquely captivating atmosphere, steeped in nostalgia.

Many games appeal to feelings of nostalgia. For example, Everlasting Summer evoked memories of carefree childhoods, summer camps, and those first timid attempts to meet girls. Tiny Bunny also plays with our past, but at the same time, it tries to awaken long-forgotten fears.

However, Tiny Bunny also touches on other themes typical of the 1990s. For example, the characters mention global trends in the spirit of Disney cartoons.

While initially focusing on atmosphere, towards the end of the game, Tiny Bunny transforms into a full-fledged body horror. For example, we are unabashedly shown mutilated human and animal bodies swarming with maggots. Such scenes are unlikely to frighten horror fans, but the player understands that they are confronted by a primordial evil terrorizing the locals. You want not only to find a way to defeat it, but also to simply understand the nature of these monsters. However, the game is in no hurry to reveal its secrets, only leaving hints and food for thought.

Technically, Tiny Bunny looks simple — no 3D graphics, just static images, occasionally enhanced with animation. However, the artistic component comes to the fore here. The characters, sets, and landscapes are meticulously crafted. And the black and white imagery creates the right mood and adds a touch of creepiness, like in old horror films. The effect is enhanced by the characteristic ripples in the images.

The main menu was plagued by a fading film that eventually crumbled. Only in a few episodes do we see a color image. Moreover, these moments are clearly dictated by the plot. Something similar was seen, for example, in the underrated action game The Saboteur.

The atmosphere and plot wouldn't have made a strong impression if Tiny Bunny had been a linear game. Fortunately, it has variety — starting with the second episode, we'll have to make choices with serious consequences. Some decisions seem obvious — for example, it's always better to try to fight back against bullies than to silently endure their abuse. But refusing to take a seemingly insignificant object can take the plot in a completely different direction or even lead to a premature ending. The cruelty of those around you seems especially horrifying when your peers actually threaten to kill the protagonist.

However, some of Anton's own actions can be even more shocking. But much depends on your decisions, which will lead to one of twenty possible endings. For a complete picture, it's advisable to see all possible scenarios. The screenwriters left many hints about what happened in this village. However, you won't be given a definitive answer.

There are also romantic plots in Tiny Bunny One of them is beautifully crafted, while the others seem like they were just there for show. In the fifth episode, the creators tried to create intrigue, but it falls flat — most players' affections will clearly remain with the main character. However, it's interesting to observe her behavior when Anton suddenly starts paying attention to another beauty.

The creators of Tiny Bunny focused on the plot and atmosphere, so the gameplay is secondary here. In addition to making important decisions, you'll be required to participate in minigames where you need to connect fragments of photographs or simply press the right button at the right time. In certain scenes, you can also explore the area for additional information. The rest of the time, you'll simply be observing the characters and listening to what they say. There aren't even proper dialogue boxes where you can ask the characters questions.

On the other hand, we don't expect complex gameplay from visual novels. Their key goal is to tell an engaging story, the development of which is directly dependent on the player. And the game accomplishes this brilliantly.

Tiny Bunny is a wonderful visual novel with an intriguing plot, a rich atmosphere, and a touch of 90s nostalgia. It's recommended for both genre connoisseurs and those who enjoy dark horror. But if you're indifferent to either genre, feel free to skip it.