Cucina Stellata Starred Cuisine

Cucina Stellata Starred Cuisine is a narrative-driven horror experience set in a dimly lit kitchen and wine cellar of 19th-century Romagna, Italy. Players assume the role of a solitary writer and gastronome, inspired by the historical figure Pellegrino Artusi. What begins as a simple search for a late-night meal slowly turns into a disturbing encounter, where familiar domestic settings become oppressive and strange. The focus is on subtle environmental storytelling and a thick atmosphere of unease rather than direct confrontation.

Exploration and Themes

The gameplay centers around interacting with everyday objects — food ingredients, kitchen tools, and household items — while uncovering hidden layers of discomfort within the seemingly mundane surroundings. Small details, like a misplaced candle or a suspiciously prepared dish, hint at a deeper narrative running beneath the surface. Players must piece together the unfolding events by examining the environment carefully, drawing connections between the ordinary and the unsettling without explicit guidance.

Visual Design and Emotional Impact

The game embraces a low-resolution, grainy aesthetic that strengthens the sense of isolation and decaying familiarity. Shadows stretch unnaturally across narrow spaces, and warm candlelight offers little comfort against the growing tension in the air. Every sound, from a knife scraping a cutting board to the creak of stairs, adds to the oppressive quiet. Instead of fast-paced horror, Cucina Stellata Starred Cuisine builds slow, mounting dread that leaves a lasting impression long after the final scene fades.