Polar Night
A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
Two years ago, the IRV Arran - a huge Arctic research ship - vanished without a trace, leaving behind distraught and confused families without answers. With the official search called off, a man called Sharif offers some of the family members a choice: They can contribute funds to a private search expedition and, if they do so, they can join the search in person.
The story focuses on Garret Reid, a wolf who lost his brother on the Arran as he travels to the frozen archipelago of Svalbard where the expedition is due to depart. He meets an eclectic and colourful cast of fellow family members of the lost Arran crew, each with their own reasons for participating.
What will they find out in the dark, frozen Arctic Ocean? Answers? Or perhaps, more than they ever wanted to know...
If you would like to support us, please head over to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/karras
Updates do not currently have a set schedule, but as support increases we can afford to produce the needed assets for more stable updates!
Art done by the wonderful https://twitter.com/NertonW
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Download
Development log
- Version 0.4.2Nov 10, 2025
- Version 0.4.1Nov 02, 2025
- Linux version of 0.3.2Sep 07, 2024
- Quick update 0.3.2Jul 31, 2024
- 0.3.1 Live!Jul 27, 2024
- Build 0.2.1: Day 2 is released!Mar 04, 2023
- Update: End of 2022Dec 18, 2022
- Android version now live!Jul 15, 2022
Comments
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Greetings and Salutations. I've been on a mission to find myself the best visual novels (for my own personal tastes, anyway) and it has been both a blessing and a curse with your game. A blessing in the sense that the moment I started it and got into it, I was hooked. The writing style, the descriptive nature of the dialogue, the way each character is fleshed out with their own dynamics but also being flexible to adjust to the.. "situations" in the story; I loved every bit of it. I found myself really attached to Stefan, Sharif, and Garett as characters, but really, every single character in the game was just exceptional to get to know. The way you write the character, ESPECIALLY the MC, does not leave anyone to pick out plot holes or wondering "huh, why is the Horror protag stupid?" No, it makes sense. Even parts when characters split up, it doesn't feel like it was forced for story, but rather it feels like what would actually happen in a realistic setting considering the circumstances. The sound design and character designs are all phenomenal. I say it was a curse with the fact I was so invested I ended up binging the game in a mere matter of 2 days, finishing it on the night of the second. The "To Be Continued" left me actually in pain because I honestly can not wait to see where the story goes. I've only just recently made an itch.io account and I think this Visual Novel is the first game I am posting a comment on to praise the work that went into this. I really loved the story, and I can not wait to see more whenever it is out. Thank you.
Thank you so much for the review! I'm really glad you enjoyed it so much!
Of course! I genuinely can not wait for the next update. Does this game or community have a space? Such as a Discord of people working on it/talking about it, or a twitter, etc?
There is a twitter @polarnightvn but I rarely update it unless a build is upcoming. There isn't a discord dedicated either, but the furry VN discord is a good place to discuss it!
Oh, alright, thank you! Again- loved your work on this, and I can not wait to see the next build!
I'm so glad you're still active. So many creators are just disappearing; it's scary.
Hope you're doing well. Just wanted to say hi. I've been a fan of your work since 2022. I can still remember the first appearance of your VN, and the feeling it gave me at the time is just nostalgic now, and I like that. 🤭🤭🤭
Can't wait for an update, though definitely no rush, and good luck. Always keep moving forward.
Mystery and psychological horror are my cup of tea def in my top 1 list . 🤌🏼
This is the exact kinda stuff that I love to see, tense and horror furry VNs are RARE but they're always so good.
possible spoilers below but i aint taking the chance on spoiling peak fiction for someone:
genuinely one of my favorite fvns, the only ones that i would rank the same are aim to capture and burrows (maybe 9:22 or cienie to) the opening scene is SUCH an amazing hook, the sound design and bgs are great, all of the characters are so well written and it all reminds me of still wakes the deep in the BEST way possible, especially with the sound design aboard the Arran reminding me of when you have to go through the beira d's legs, almost the whole time i was half expecting to see those weird ahh flesh tendrils, its also a breath of fresh air having a mc who is ACTUALLY competent and skilled at something which is why garret is probably my favorite mc that ive seen in quite a while.
also, is there a month i could mark down in my calendar for when the next update might be out? no worries if there isn't though, i just like to keep a full calendar
Thank you so much! Apologies for the delay in responding!
Your feedback is appreciated! As for when the next release will come, my plan is for Halloween.
I'm so excited! *Vibrates excitedly*
Genuinely has me so hooked after reading! Love the art and story, both are awesome. Out of curiosity, how much of the story remains relative to what’s occurred? Selfishly hoping there’s a lot of twists and turns left.
Thanks Karras!
Hey, thanks for the comment!
I would say there's another couple of "days" worth of story, but its hard to describe without spoilers, but there's still a fair amount of story to go!
I originaly got introduuced to Polar night through a lets play a few months ago and i loved it. I finally got the curage to start reading it my selfe and im loveing it.
Also if you dont mind me asking Karras:
1 Is Stefan and his brother or at least there parents are hungarians?(judging from the goulash being mentioned)
2 How is the update going?(Not rushing, just curious)
Also i made this fan poster if you dont mind:(hope you like it :3)
Aww, thank you for the fanart! I love the character poses!
For your questions, 1: I pictured Stefan and Alex being of Polish/Eastern European descent
2: We are mostly working on getting the assets required, my plan is not to release another update that ends on a cliffhanger but that shows one of the possible endings, even if the choices required to get there need to be hard coded for now. My next pass (after the next update) will be to introduce the necessary choices to get the remaining endings!
Cool, Thanks for the replying, and i hope you have fun making the update cause im sure i will enjoyit when its comest out. :3
Also is it ok if i coment other fan art of Polar Night here i f i make more?
Of course, feel free!
I've read quite a few VNs but yours is one of my favorite. The tension is great, the story too.
Appreciate the feedback!
Hi! Any updates?
Hi! Still working away, art assets take time unfortunately!
Ok! Thanks for replying, Karras! 😊
very good visual novel, feels really inmersive and the characters have so many genuine reactions, but, there is always a but, the UI is really small, i almost can't click the "back" button and "menu" button, and the characters sprites feel so tiny, i mean, if they were to scale the characters sprites up, there isn't gonna be a huge difference with the already tall chs like Joseph and the horse guy (i dont remember his name now lol)
but changing the subject, the characters are so well written, Their own traumas, phobias and problems, and it rrally hitted me like a wall when i saw how much of a twink Garret is, for what i saw on the main image here on itch.io i tought he was a baddass strong wolf, but it doesn't seem like it now lol.
⚠️[HUGE SPOILER]⚠️
i'm at the part where, after the Sylvia explosion, they find the Arran, idk how much deep im on the story rn and how much there is left, i saw that the "go back" option when you and the crew are voting to stay or leave isn't finished yet, so the game is still incomplete, so i hope it lives to my expectations
I wasnt able to publish this comment before, but now i can bc i did all the steps to be able to comment something, in the mean time i was playing the game, and, NO, IT CAN'T END LIKE THIS, I NEED THE PART 2
Ughhh... It's a pretty good horror—while reading, it was genuinely eerie and mysterious, since it's unclear what's happening, where the danger is coming from, etc. And the ending (well, not quite the ending) adds even more food for thought, damn it.
The visualization in the visual novel is excellent. The drawing style is pleasing, again that kind of "cartoon realism" style that I like. The use of dynamic visuals was great: the blizzard effect, the lantern dying out. That really helps with immersion—the text stops being just text. I also liked the presence of brutal scenes; after all, since it's horror, it's good that the author isn't afraid to show death scenes.
The characters are interesting, even though there's a certain clichéd feel to the horror genre. The eternal fucking "let's split up." A character gets killed—"we need to stick together"—and then after a while: let's split up. These downsides slightly mar the work, but overall it's insignificant.
But the characters are intriguing. There are (realistically) unpleasant, irritable ones prone to panic. Among all of them, I liked Stefan: a schizo-possum who believes in conspiracy theories and pseudoscientific nonsense. Hahaha, it's wonderful.
I'll be really looking forward to the continuation! I liked the story, and I'm very curious to see how it all ends. Respect to the author for excellent work.
Seriously, I picked this one to read at a random moment, I know it is not finished, but the cliffhanger cant possibly be too bad... Well f me.
WORST POSSIBLE TIME TO PICK THIS UP
i need more so bad. also june & dana are so cute. :-) (Tabby added!!!)
Did you draw these ? Geez, they're adorable <3
I did! Thank you :-D
these are so cute! Thank you for drawing them!
W game
ps; I NEEED MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That was a really interesting read. That is one of the most amazing FVN I read.
You did good as hell here, man. As someone who's read every FVN on the internet worth reading, this is easily a top 5 for me now. I've been charmed in a way I haven't been since I read 9:22, and that's super high praise. Joined the Patreon the other day, and highly encourage anyone else who can to do so as well.
Good luck with v0.5!
This was an amazing read! I'm excited to see what comes next!
I just finished v0.4,.2 and just... HOLY SHIT
That cliffhanger is just.... chef's kiss. I'm seated for what's to come
Back in 3.0, when the scene was just a drawn sketch, I didn't understand what was told to us about what Garret was noticing in the corner of the room during that one Bridge sequence.
Now I get it ^_^"""
Geez, you're skilled with your storytelling.
To the point I'm asking : I know it's not one of the most common languages in VN, but when I do enjoy one so much, I feel compeled to do a French translation for my benefit and some of my friends not that much good with English ; so nothing broadcasted on socials, just private use.
This being said, would you want me to hand it over to you one day when your story is done for global integration like the Russian translation option ?
Hi! I’m pleased you’re enjoying the VN!
I’d be happy for you to translate it into French if you like! I’d certainly appreciate it if you provided the translation once you were finished but it’s not required so no worries!
Thank you so much for replying ^^ Glad you're open to the idea. I'll also probably join patreon shortly, btw.
While I had overlooked this VN due to the horror genre not being by cup of tea, I am so glad I finally decided to give it a chance! I really enjoyed the story so far, and especially getting to know the large cast of characters who each feel like distinct individuals. I appreciate how difficult it is to incorporate so many characters from unique backgrounds, and you have done an excellent job bringing their personalities to life. I have read many stories where the side characters are just so forgettable and underutilized, so I want to highlight how much I enjoyed getting to know this cast and becoming invested in their own personal stakes during this tale. I was on the edge of my seat during several moments! The music is so excellently appropriate for each of the scenes; being haunting, chilling, unnerving, and downright oppressive when it needed to be! The artwork is wonderful of course, all of these characters are so cute, it kind of makes be sad this isn't a dating sim! Not that I want it to be, I just mean that to say I feel so compelled by their stories I want to get to know them better (a hallmark of good writing)! Great work so far, and all the best as you continue toward the exciting conclusion!
P.S. I do have a couple of small suggestions for two of the scenes, but of course I do not want to overstep any boundaries! I have really enjoyed the story so far, and can't wait for the next update!
...That's not Connor.
Yaaa....
What a thrill! But now, I'm left hungering for more. I need more, MORE!
I also really like how we get to see the characters "In action" now that we've gotten to know them over the past few updates. Heck, they're also well-written enough that I can see myself amongst the group!
And now with the horror in motion, I am even more excited to see what the next update has in store~
This was well worth the wait, indeed.
This was absolutely amazing. I downloaded long ago (aprox 2 years), but I honestly had completely forgotten about it. Thankfully the latest update brought me right on track and in a couple days I read through the entirety of the story currently available and what to say, I was really amazed by the atmosphere and the art pieces (especially later down the line). I actually appreciate how much “calm before the storm” the first couple of days provide before the story takes the plunge towards the horror. These earlier days might feel weaker especially compared to what comes next, but they are vital to get to know the characters, oh the characters! They are very well written and feel diverse, appropriately likeable / unlikeable and their dynamics with one and the other feel very realistic.
Greatly done, Karras! I look forward to see more!
A story always worth the wait. This update has been phenomenal, and heartbreaking. One of the deaths really got to me, especially with the art. I've become extremely attached to these characters, and the story and atmosphere are just perfection. Easily the best furry horror VN I've ever seen
Now the long wait for the next update, haha
I absolutely adore this vn. It's my number one pick, seriously. This novella is something special for me because of its winter atmosphere, plot and character dynamics, which resonate so much with me. The cold never bothered me anywaaay🪄
Also, psychological thrillers are my favorite genre. Even before the new update, I already saw huge potential here. I first started reading it back in the winter of '23, which made my experience with the novella even more powerful.
I like that, despite everything, some funny moments still manage to emerge, as if recalling the calm beginning of the novella where everyone is just getting to know each other, which I really enjoyed too.
And I also immediately noticed that Stefan is shown in the menu, as if for a reason, as if there's some kind of hint there, but we'll see.
I'm still reading the new update, starting to think it's the end of the update, but instead it keeps going, masterpiece after masterpiece. More and more and more and more and more. It's pure delight.
The wait is definitely worth it.
The music in the novella is so gorgeous, I sometimes listen to some of its tracks on repeat.
Karras is a legend, an icon, an idol.
AHH, that cliffhanger! I grow more and more invested in the story with every update, I can't wait for the next one!
Spoilers:
Honestly, with everything going on in the story, I have so many theories, I'm eagerly waiting for them to play out. Especially the ones regarding everyone disappearing repeatedly to speak with “someone” and thinking they’re being discreet about it. It's going to be extremely tricky with the ending to this update, but I'm excited to see where the story goes from here. It is my assumption that Gail is alive because if she isn’t, that’s about to complicate the story ten fold, and it’s time they start talking about the “other person” on the ship considering Garret attacked Gail because he thought she was Connor.
Spoilers:
I hope Gail is alive, too. I'm also hoping that she's not too badly hurt or at least, not critically, and that she's just passed out and will wake up soon. It's bad enough that Garret attacked her in a case of mistaken identity, even if you ignore the fact that Garret almost stabbed Dana earlier because he didn't recognize her in the dark. If Garret killed Gail, a fellow teammate and the only person in the group who knows the most about medical care, then, like you said, it's about to make the story ten times more complicated.
Spoilers:
Gail is very much a favorite among the cast, in terms of all of the other characters pretty much liking her and not having some beef with her, so I have no doubt that Garret is going to be detained and under constant supervision afterwards.
Unfortunately, I do imagine Gail received some permanent damage (I.e. scarring) that she’ll have to live with, I doubt it will be as simple as waiting for her to wake up. However, it’s a difference of “You attacked Gail! Now no one trusts you!” Versus “You actually killed Gail, so Tabby wants to kill you in revenge.”
Although! There is one other possibility, albeit there’s literally no evidence of this as yet, since it ended on a cliffhanger that was designed to imply Garret attacked Gail. It is possible, although very unlikely, that it wasn’t Garret who attacked Gail. Instead, maybe Garret *did* attack “Connor”/the unknown entity aboard the ship, after Connor had attacked and tried to kill Gail. Granted, this is me being super, duper wishful and hoping that Garret is entirely innocent, so I can’t imagine this actually being what plays out.
Spoilers:
That too.
That third possibility also seems highly unlikely to me, unless Garret's screaming from the agony of his thunderclap on steroids, maybe an illusion caused cast by the entity, had brought Gail, who was close enough to hear, running and the entity pretending to be Conner took the opportunity to attack Gail in an attempt to kill her while also casting an illusion that he's the one who found Garret. Garret, who is being driven insane with pain, snaps and attacks fake Conner and hurts him, losing awareness just as he lunges at Conner, but Conner gets away, and then Garret loses consciousness.
Do you think that the entity who's taken on Conner's appearance, imitating Conner and his mannerisms so well that it's fooled Garret into thinking that it's Conner, was the only one left aboard the Arran before our heroes arrived, or that there are two Conners on board the Arran with the group, the actual Conner who miraclously survived for two years, and an entity pretending to be Conner, as I've mentioned above?
Spoilers:
Realistically, if the entity played a part, Connor is dead. However, technically speaking, there is still food on the ship that the group found after the fact. If there was absolutely no food left on the ship, then I would unfortunately say that any surviving crew of the Arran would have resorted to cannibalism, ergo the absence of bodies, but most of the food on the ship would have been canned and had enough preservatives to last two years, and the Arran was stocked for a large crew for a multi-month journey, so Connor could be alive somewhere—the real Connor, not the one who doesn’t remember anything.
I also think there’s not just one entity/illusion at once, considering multiple people in the group disappear to speak with their loved ones at the same time.
I think Connor is already dead. Remember the opening scene? He died inside the car with wound on his stomatch.
The entity, I think it gets inspire from movie the thing.
If my guess is correct, one of them is not the real person from before. I have a guess by process of elimination and looking at horror movie tropes. But I will save it until we have more info. But if I'm correct, this will be the greatest foreshadow and hint of all time.
Spoilers:
I agree. There may be more than one entity and/or illusion at play onboard that're fooling everybody into thinking they're talking to a loved one who had survived, who told each of the party members not to tell everyone else that the loved one is alive during their reunion, like Connor told Garret the first time they met, considering everyone in the main cast is disappearing and then reappearing again all the time and claiming they got separated, lost, turned around, or went to investigate a noise.
I think I've figured out why Joseph and June were the first two victims out of everyone who made it on board the Arran. Neither of them had loved ones among the crew of the Arran.
Up there with Echo as one of the best furry VNs fr
Phenomenal update as always. That ending goes harddd!
+1 on wanting a Discord server bc there’s so much to talk about and theorize on!
Oh god, why it's ended when some horror stuff just kick in. Now I'm more invested than ever for this VN!!
Fantastic! Never give up on this. Ive been obsessed since February last year and I'll be sticking around for all the updates no matter how long they take!
God, even if the game updated annually. It worth every fucking minute to play it. This is so good! Please keep with the excellent work!
Is there any plan for a discord server?
Thanks! There’s no discord or plans for one right now unfortunately, primarily because of the effort to administrate, moderation etc. If I manage to get into a more frequent update schedule I may reconsider though!
ooh ok, that's understandable. Hope everything gets better for you. I'm gonna wait patiently for the next update, I know it's gonna be great!
Absolute Cinema... ✋😭✋
Aint no way that cliffhanger can make me sleep tonight.
btw this chapter was so deeply evil of you, I love it
Latest update was incredible, I'm still taking notes about possible outcomes given all the information being laid out. I could honestly see the story having 4 or 5 different endings while certain events played out. Though after that crazy cliffhanger of an ending, I think things might be heading into a different direction already... either way, this update really skyrocketed my love for this VN to being one of my all time favorites, I'm excited ( and a bit scared 😢) to see what happens next!
Well that was utter peak, when do you think we'll get more of it? Obviously you should take all the time you need but I'm on the edge of my seat
The author's usually doing yearly updates, due to doing it on his free time occasionnally. The last build was August 2024.
yeah I see the pattern, I guess I'm just maybe hoping they pick up faster production, it happens on projects sometimes, at least that I've seen on itch, obviously I'd never even slightly want it at the cost of an author's mental of physical health or quality of the project, I'm just a man hoping he has to stick to the edge of his seat a little less for one of his top 3 VNs in terms of hype, and also very high up in terms of quality too
is this nsfw?
Nope
not yet or fully SFW?
there won’t be any NSFW. Originally there was some planned but that’s not the case anymore so (violence notwithstanding) it will be SFW
Soon as you read this, nsfw will be such a distant thought on your mind. You will feel it pointless and out of place.
I have read a bunch of great furry VN's without NSFW in them, and I still wish for NSFW in them.
I'm a horny bastard and I'm shameless to admit it, as long as there are romance or frienship of any kind in any furry material, I will wish for NSFW
nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
GOD this VN is so good. New update is 10/10 and very much looking forward to the future of it
Is this VN still alive?
The autor released a public post on his patreon that can be viewed by anyone.
Short version : his real life situation got hectic, but he's still planning to release the build soon, hopefully Halloween.
PS : A fitting release range, if I may say ^^
Hell yea, looking forward to it
Here you go :-) Update
Hey Karras, checking in again, how are you going today, I hope you're doing okay, I see everyone is waiting for the next update - and I am too - but I am kinda excited and worried - excited for the update and worried about your health being and knowing that you are busy to try and get this out in the time you can - in the meantime though - I hope your okay with me recording a series of this game and linking the download to it - I am going to be recording a series on this game and I will link the game here for them to download it and play it but I won't say anything more than just download the game, I get things take time and we can wait, but all in all I hope you are really okay!
- Snowy - AKA "Redline Yeen" My YouTube when I will be posting the let's play: (5) Redline Yeen - YouTube Anyone is welcome to have a look at it and check it out!
Have a great day everyone! :)
If you check the patreon page, even without being member to see the full post, the title of his lastest update 31th July is titled with "release date", so since another post partially public said it was pretty much done a few month ago and started the editing, this mean the next update is most certainly about to release (for patreon i guess) very soon.
It's also consistent with his yearly release schedule.
Brace yourselves for another tour into the horror of the Harran (°^°)'
aaaaa I can't waiiit
Man reading this sick at night when it's 1c inside was a asome, really interesting story and charaders can't wait to see how it progress