Affairs of the Court: Choice of Romance
- June 23, 2016
- Choice of Games
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam"Affairs of the Court: Choice of Romance" is a text-based game that lets you explore the political intrigues and romantic affairs of the French nobility in the 15th century. Create your own noble character, navigate complex social situations, and pursue romances with a variety of eligible bachelors and bachelorettes, all while striving to increase your power and influence at court. Your choices determine the outcome of your story in this interactive game of love, strategy, and diplomacy.
Reviews
- The game features excellent worldbuilding and a nuanced decision-making system that allows for a variety of character paths and outcomes.
- Players can enjoy a rich narrative filled with political intrigue, romance, and magic, making it engaging and replayable.
- The writing is well-crafted, with a compelling storyline that keeps players invested in their character's journey and relationships.
- The game suffers from a false illusion of choice, as players are often forced to follow a specific path to progress, limiting the overall experience.
- Many players found the romance aspect lacking, feeling that the game prioritizes political maneuvering over genuine romantic connections.
- The narrative can feel more suited for female protagonists, leaving male players feeling disconnected from the story and character dynamics.
- story35 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story is a mixed bag, with some players finding it engaging and charming, particularly when pursuing the royal romance, while others criticize its brevity and the restrictive nature of choices that often lead to abrupt endings. Many reviews highlight that the narrative feels more cohesive when played as a female protagonist, suggesting that the game could benefit from clearer guidance on this aspect. Overall, while the writing is appreciated, the execution leaves some players feeling constrained and disappointed by the limited pathways available.
“This is a very interesting and engaging text game where the choices you make have drastic consequences; you get immersed in the story that has many different paths to take.”
“Such an amazing game, I love the plot and the many choices to be whoever you want.”
“My first impression is that the story is charming; there are a wealth of options, and even without images, I am able to become completely taken by the story.”
“The story is short, but intense; the only defect of the game being the authors having perhaps been content with exploring in depth the royal branch of the story.”
“You simply cannot continue onto the remaining two-thirds of the story without picking one specific romance option out of three romance options.”
“The game presents each option as having their own merits and demerits, but the moment you choose to deviate, the game will wrap up your story with a 'try better next time' sort of ending and urge you to pick the correct choice.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a deeply emotional experience, often leading to tears due to the impactful storytelling and character relationships. The ability to explore diverse romantic options, including same-sex relationships, enhances the emotional stakes, with many expressing strong feelings of joy or heartbreak based on their character's outcomes. Overall, the game is highly recommended for its ability to evoke such powerful emotions.
“I cried at the end because I was so worried I wouldn't be able to get a happy ending with my former girlfriend, but I did.”
“You can be gay and romance a dashing (and vengeful) king/queen, which really should be enough to recommend it, but one of the sad endings where my character survived but lost their beloved had me crying, and I'm still emotional over it now. So 10/10 would recommend and also cry over again.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game offers strong replayability, particularly through the choice of different main paths for character development. Its balanced length and diverse character-building and dialogue options contribute to a satisfying experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.
“Very good replayability, especially if you choose different main paths for your character.”
“The length is just right—not too short, not too long—and there's enough variety in building the character and dialogue options to provide a decent amount of replay value.”
“The game lacks significant changes in story outcomes, making multiple playthroughs feel repetitive and uninteresting.”
“Once you've experienced the main storyline, there's little incentive to replay, as the side quests don't offer much variety.”
“While the game has a solid foundation, the limited character builds and dialogue choices diminish its overall replayability.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is notably lacking, with reviewers pointing out the absence of flirting, tact, or any comedic elements typically associated with the romance genre.
- gameplay1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the gameplay to be a solid value, offering 5-10 hours of entertainment for a reasonable price of seven dollars.
“Seven bucks is a good price for 5-10 hours of gameplay.”
