Choice of Alexandria
- June 9, 2016
- Choice of Games
Get on Steam
Get on Apple Store"Choice of Alexandria" is a text-based interactive fiction game where you play as the last librarian of the famed Library of Alexandria. Your choices determine the fate of the library and its knowledge as you face challenges such as political intrigue, resource management, and supernatural events. The game features multiple endings and deep immersion in the ancient world.
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Reviews
- The game features a well-written and interesting story set in a fascinating historical context, providing a unique experience for players who enjoy history.
- Players have meaningful choices that significantly impact the story, leading to a variety of endings and encouraging replayability.
- The game is entertaining and educational, with a good balance of humor and depth, making it enjoyable for both casual and serious gamers.
- The game is relatively short, with many players wishing for more content and opportunities to explore character relationships.
- Some players found the emotional connection to characters lacking compared to other titles in the genre, making it harder to feel invested in the story.
- The interface lacks flexibility, as there is no option to go back to previous decisions, which can be frustrating for players wanting to explore different outcomes.
- story24 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story is well-crafted and engaging, featuring a short yet interesting historical narrative with multiple branching paths and endings that encourage replayability. While some players noted the emotional impact diminishes with repeated playthroughs, the writing quality and depth of choices are praised, making it a compelling text-based adventure. Overall, it offers a unique experience that stands out from typical genres, despite its brevity.
“A well written and interesting story.”
“The choices are simple but profound and the story is well written with no chaff.”
“Kevin Gold did a great job writing the story and taking the time to create a ton of different paths to take.”
“Emotional involvement with the story tends to decrease during subsequent playthroughs.”
“Because of this, it seemed to lower my ability to affect the course of the story.”
“This game was shorter than I would have liked, but I suppose it would have been a herculean effort to try to cover the amount of time this story does with a longer length.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that the emotional impact of "Choice of Alexandria" is strongest during the first playthrough, as making genuine choices enhances involvement. However, emotional attachment to characters tends to diminish in subsequent runs, and while the game may be shorter, it compensates with significant decisions and memorable emotional moments.
“The first playthrough provides the most emotional involvement if you decide to seriously make the choices you think you would make in the same situation.”
“Just like Choice of Robots, the other interactive novel by Kevin Gold, Choice of Alexandria is a bit short; but it more than makes up for it with impactful decisions and a few emotional moments.”
“Emotional involvement with the story tends to decrease during subsequent playthroughs.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the game's graphics, while not the most cutting-edge, are complemented by complex characters and deep themes, creating a more immersive experience than many high-graphics games. The focus on storytelling and intellectual engagement is seen as a significant strength, enhancing the overall experience beyond mere visual appeal.
“The characters are more complex, and the various messages and themes are far deeper than much of the intellectual content found in most graphically intense games that have been created.”
“Reading a good story that you are taking part in is more immersive than any cutting-edge game with graphics.”
“Far more intellectually involved and deep than most high-graphics games that have ever existed.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability with multiple unique endings—seven in total—set in various future scenarios, alongside numerous achievements to unlock. While the playtime may be short, the diverse outcomes encourage players to revisit the game for a fresh experience.
“The game doesn't last too long, but its replayability makes up for that, with different endings set in the future. The one I got was set hundreds of years later.”
“I think there are 7 unique endings and a bunch of achievements, giving this game a lot of replay value.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its well-crafted writing, effectively blending humor with historical detail, making it both entertaining and informative.
“Shorter than other choices of robots, this game is well-written with just the right amount of both humor and historical detail.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players report engaging in extensive grinding to unlock all achievements, indicating that the game requires significant time and effort to fully complete.
“I've been grinding for all of the achievements, and it feels more like a chore than fun.”
“The grinding in this game is endless and feels like a time sink with little reward.”
“After hours of grinding, I still feel like I'm nowhere near my goals.”
