# Highlands, Deep Waters — Interactive Lovecraftian Novel

> Interactive text-based Lovecraftian horror novel about solving a murder. (iPhone/iPad app by Hosted Games LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/highlands-deep-waters/id1288269331 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Hosted Games LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/482415564)
- Category: Games, Books, Adventure, Role Playing
- Price: $6.99
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 28 App Store ratings · 22 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 39 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-09-28
- Data updated: 2026-08-02
- Monetization: ad-supported
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/highlands-deep-waters/id1288269331/reviews.md

## What is Highlands, Deep Waters?

While investigating a murder in a small Scottish town, you’ll find yourself embroiled in a world of secrets, cultists, and abyssal horror. What are you willing to do to solve the case? And what will you do when you don’t like the answer?

"Highlands, Deep Waters" is a 340,000 word interactive horror novel by Fernando B Neves and Lucas Zaper, where your choices control the story. It's entirely text-based—without graphics or sound effects—and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination.

• Play as an insightful Detective, a resourceful Criminal or a mysterious Scholar.
• Gather and interpret clues with the Deduction system. Will you solve the case?
• Face the hidden truths that derange your mind with the Sanity system.
• A carefully crafted town including hand-drawn maps, unique history and peculiar inhabitants.
• Play as a male, female, gay or straight. The Abyssal Ones treat everyone just the same.

## Key features

- Interactive text-based story
- Choice-driven narrative
- Deduction system for clues
- Sanity system
- Character role selection
- Hand-drawn maps and lore

## Recent user reviews (10 of 22)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/highlands-deep-waters/id1288269331/reviews.md

### 5/5 — This actually scared me somehow, it was amazing

*2021-08-30*

Yes

### 5/5 — Lovecraftian Noir

*2020-12-18*

Great mixture of cosmic horror and hard boiled noir the brings out the best in both. Beautiful yet haunting prose that sticks with you. Well-done research into Scottish Gaelic language and mythology. Strongly recommend.

### 5/5 — Great, immersive narrative

*2020-01-12*

Some really intense planning has gone into this game. If you are fan of Lovecraft or similar works, give it a try. Had me hooked after a few pages. Would be good to have some more options near the outcome as it doesn’t allow for you to lie to get out of trouble then switch tactics at some key moments. But overall a great effort and lots of fun. Please can you upgrade the age rating though, some parts are a bit strong for age 12

### 5/5 — Enjoyed it

*2019-10-18*

The story did a really good job making me feel like a character in an Lovecraftian horror story. To the point that I was trying to think ahead. Alot of things here surprised me.

### 5/5 — This game had me hooked

*2019-07-09*

I loved this game and wanted to keep playing it to see what would happen.  You felt like you were the characters at some points during the game.  You had to remind yourself that this was just a game.

I liked how you had to do your own research.  Some parts of the game were scary like the high tide.  I was glad to see you were okay in the end.

I would deffinetly recommend this game to others.  I really enjoyed it.

### 5/5 — Great game!

*2018-12-26*

Extremely well written horror with good suspense and interesting investigations

### 5/5 — Very Deep

*2018-10-10*

I enjoyed this game very much, and personally finished it the second time I played it.  I’ve noticed that the only reviews from people who didn’t like it kept on mentioning how they would repeatedly die at the same spot. That is what made me stop playing the first time I downloaded. This time, however, I kept playing after that part and found the entire story to be thrilling. I wish people would take a deep breath and realize that it’s only part of the story. I can imagine how frustrating those reviews are. Anyway, it was fantastic, and I expect to find myself playing through it a few more times.

### 5/5 — Awesome

*2018-07-28*

Proper HP Lovecraftian horror, best hosted game yet. Its fun, spooky and tricky but also not too difficult. Just a great gane to play

### 5/5 — a wonderful, compelling cosmic horror story

*2018-04-14*

This story was so well-written. And dark. It's for anyone who wants to imagine themselves within a Lovecraft storyline. The story touches something deep within you and I feel like your choices really make an impact. Waiting for the sequel, where hopefully the character I customized can be reloaded!!

### 5/5 — The Truth Will Set You Free

*2018-01-27*

Fantastic game. 10/10. 

The storyline is linear at points - granted, this is because the end goal is to solve the case - but this works extremely well. There are enough little yet meaningful variations within the storyline to - right up to the very end - that strengthen the game's replayability. 

The deduction work can be just a little bit frustrating at times, but I'm giving that a break. We just so happen to be in for a pound instead of a penny for this particular "case". 

Technically speaking, sometimes you'll accidentally repeat actions over again - if you aren't paying attention - because they aren't removed from your options after you've performed them. It's a small annoyance but it just means you have to pay attention, not just skim. There are no "penalties" if you repeat an action over again, as far as I know. 

In a nutshell, A+ game if you're looking to scratch that itch for some disturbingly well written Cthulhu horror.

## Frequently asked questions about Highlands, Deep Waters

### What is Highlands, Deep Waters?

Highlands, Deep Waters is a 340,000-word interactive horror novel. It's a text-based game where your choices significantly impact the unfolding story, immersing you in a Lovecraftian mystery.

### What are the key gameplay mechanics?

The game features a Deduction system to gather and interpret clues, a Sanity system to manage your character's mental state, and allows you to play as different roles like a Detective, Criminal, or Scholar. Your choices determine the outcome of the investigation and the story.

### Is Highlands, Deep Waters free to play?

The application is free to download and play, but it is supported by advertisements. There are no in-app purchases or subscription fees required to experience the full story.

### What platforms is Highlands, Deep Waters available on?

The provided data does not specify compatibility with particular operating systems or devices. However, it is described as a mobile application, suggesting it is available on common mobile platforms like iOS and Android.

### What kind of story can I expect?

You can expect a dark, Lovecraftian horror narrative centered around investigating a murder in a small Scottish town. The story involves cultists, abyssal horrors, and a deep dive into secrets that may challenge your character's sanity.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.0.8 — 2026-01-08

You can now choose a font in the Settings menu. Switch to Helvetica for crisp sans-serif text, or try the OpenDyslexic font, designed against some common symptoms of dyslexia. If you enjoy "Highlands, Deep Waters", please leave us a written review. It really helps!

### 1.0.7 — 2023-06-28

Bug fixes. If you enjoy "Highlands, Deep Waters", please leave us a written review. It really helps!

### 1.0.6 — 2023-05-09

Now you can disable touch slide controls in Settings. If you enjoy "Highlands, Deep Waters", please leave us a written review. It really helps!

### 1.0.5 — 2021-10-28

Bug fixes. If you enjoy this game, please leave us a written review. It really helps!

### 1.0.2 — 2018-05-08

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Added support for iPhone X. If you enjoy playing "Highlands, Deep Waters," please leave a written review. It really helps!

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-02.*