(Rating based on build 0.8)

Pretty much everything I want in a horror story. Strong opening to show what we're in for. Then going into a longer, slower paced section, which still never fully lets up on the horror even during the most downtime moments. While the MC gets adjusted to the situation he finds himself in, there's a gradual build-up in intensity of the violence of the game's opening until it reaches those same 'heights'. (Frustratingly, this happens just where the current build ends.)

The writing is well crafted and a perfect fit for horror, even on the structural level; sentences tend to be on the shorter side, with overuse of commas practically absent. It makes for a smooth reading experience and puts the focus on the action. The only gripe I have on this front are the ubiquitous flashbacks interjecting the story. Less so their frequency as they do a good job recontextualizing the present, and more so for insisiting to slowly fade to black regardless of how short the flashback is. It doesn't impact the pacing in any catastrophic way, but it does do so in an annoying way.

The music is moody and the tracks are used very consistently. By the end of my playthrough I got successfully Pavloved, knowing exactly what type of scene is starting just by hearing the first few notes. Not certain if the music is custom made, but such would be my guess as it works so harmoniously with the story being told. Also, the music is good! 

The art initially seems a bit simple, having no shading and rarely much in way of detailing, but I quickly grew to like it. The limited range of expressions for the sprites is perhaps the only thing with a negative impact on the visual storytelling. However, the minimalist and surreal presentation starting up a bit into the game is absolutely superb. By barely showing what's going on, the player is forced to try filling in the blanks on their own. I'd say this restraint in showing much of the violence in combination with these dreamlike visuals actually makes it more effective, and is also well supported by the writing being way more explicit. 

So, the conclusion here is that A Masquerade in the Woods has a lot of great things going on. I'm very much looking forward to when it finally updates, because it could very well be on track to become my favourite horror FVN (which is the same as saying my favourite FVN) considering how good the start is!