John Doe gives you a 15-minute stare-down with a time-loop stalker. 14 Days With You grooms you over 60 hours. My Dear Hatchet Man? It drops you in a snowy forest with a grinning axe-wielder who might just want your snacks… or your soul.
This free demo by Gnometastix has exploded in the yandere scene since its 2022 rewrite, with Day 2 updates keeping fans rabid in 2025. 4.8/5 stars from 1,600+ ratings on itch.io—proof it’s the “soft yandere who snaps” perfection we crave.
What Is My Dear Hatchet Man?
A point-and-click erotic horror visual novel/dating sim where you play a college student new to Doomsbury, MA—a cryptid-cursed college town full of urban legends and “boomer nightmares.” One snowy night walk turns into a chance encounter with Alan Orion, a suspiciously charming woodsman with a hatchet. What starts as survival flirtation spirals into obsessive romance… or your gruesome end.
Current demo covers Prologue + Days 1-2 (v1.1 Rewritten). Multiple routes, choices, and endings. Full release teased via Patreon.
The Story (Minor Spoilers)
Lost in the woods? Cry on a rock. Hear a twig snap? Spot glowing eyes. Enter Alan: hatchet in hand, smile too wide, but he drops it to calm you. He knows the paths, leads you out, and begs for snacks tomorrow—his “dinner” got hole-punched in your bag.
Day 1: Return to the woods. Feed the beast (literally).
Day 2: Deeper bonds… or red flags. Side characters like Stu (rival?) and Erika add jealousy fuel. The town’s folklore hints Alan’s no ordinary hermit.
Horror builds slow: Charming smiles hide possessiveness. Yandere worship turns deadly.
Key Characters
Before diving into endings, meet the cast:
| Character | Description | Yandere Threat Level |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Orion | Tall, grinning hatchet man. Soft-spoken, snack-obsessed, veeeeery clingy. Lives alone in woods. | 🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪 (Supreme) |
| Stu | Potential rival route. Edgy, jealous vibes. Fans ship/tease him vs. Alan. | 🔪🔪🔪 (Rising) |
| Erika | Study buddy? Adds social drama. | 🥀 (None) |
| Player (You) | Customizable college kid. Choices define if you’re charmed or doomed. | N/A |
Alan steals the show—fans call him “cutest killer.”
Gameplay & Features
- Choices matter: Branching dialogue over 2+ days. Pick “charmed” or “annoyed” early—shapes Alan’s obsession.
- Point-and-click elements: Interact with items (snacks = key to survival).
- Art: Hand-drawn sprites, snowy vibes, expressive faces (Alan’s smile haunts).
- Sound: Creepy woods ambiance, subtle OST. Headphones for paranoia.
- Length: 1-2 hours per route. Replay for all endings.
- Polish: v1.1 fixes bugs, boosts performance. Mac/Windows.
Fans rave: “Devoted, yearning, possessive perfection.”
Head-to-Head: MDHM vs. John Doe
| Feature | John Doe+ | My Dear Hatchet Man (Demo) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 15 mins | 1-2 hours | MDHM (buildup) |
| Yandere | Supernatural obsession | Woodsman snap | Tie |
| Gore | Minimal | Implied violence | John Doe |
| Choices | 7 endings | Multiple routes/endings | MDHM |
| Price | Free PWYW | Free | Tie |
| Vibe | Time-loop dread | Snowy stalker charm | MDHM |
All Demo Endings Explained (MAJOR SPOILERS ⚠️)
Demo has 6+ endings across Alan/Stu routes (exact count varies by playthrough; YouTube confirms via full demos). Replay with different choices. Here’s how to get ’em:
- Wholesome Snack Date (Good Alan Route): Always bring extra snacks. Charm him Day 1. Day 2: Accept forest picnic. Ending: Cuddly vibes, he calls you “perfect.” (Safest—teases full romance.)
- Jealous Snap (Bad Alan Route): Flirt with Stu/mention others. Ignore snacks. Ending: Alan’s smile fades. “You’re mine.” Implied chop—screen goes red. Classic yandere murder.
- Stu Rival Path (Neutral): Prioritize Stu interactions. Skip Alan Day 2. Ending: Escape woods, but Alan watches from trees. Stalker sequel bait.
- Greedy Alan (Secret Bad): Shortchange snacks. Day 2: He gets “hungry.” Ending: You become dinner. Gore tease—hatchet close-up.
- Erika Study Detour (Branch): Choose college life over woods. Ending: Alan shows up at dorm. “Missed me?” Escalates obsession.
- True Yandere Worship (Hidden Good/Bad): Max charm, full snacks, confess feelings. Ending: Eternal woods life. Sweet… until possessiveness locks the door.
More in updates (Day 2 added “NEW ENDING”). Full game promises 20+.
Art, Sound & Atmosphere
Stunning sprites: Alan’s unblinking eyes, snowy fog. Minimalist sound design—footsteps, hatchet swings—builds dread. “Made me feel safe… until it didn’t.”
⚠️ Extreme Content Warnings
18+ ONLY. Gore, violence, stalking, obsession, erotic noncon hints, psychological horror. Check itch.io tags.
Where to Play (Free Forever)
itch.io Demo – 100MB, instant download.
Patreon for early updates.
Final Verdict
9/10. Perfect yandere gateway: Charming buildup, snap payoff. Demo alone outshines shorts like John Doe. Pray for full release—Alan’s waiting.
Cluster Deep Dive: → Best Yandere Horror VNs 2025 → John Doe Full Guide → 14 Days With You: Slow-Burn King
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