Choice of Robots

About

"Choice of Robots" is a 300,000-word interactive sci-fi novel where you design and build robots that will shape the world. Your choices determine if your robots will be helpful or hostile, and if they will love or disdain humanity. Over 30 years, you'll make crucial decisions about their development, including starting a robotic uprising or going to war with the US. This text-based game allows you to shape your robot's character and even start a family with a human or advanced robot.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,657 reviews

story304 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Engaging and emotional storytelling that allows for meaningful choices.
High replayability with numerous branching paths and endings.
Well-written with a thoughtful exploration of AI and robotics.

Lacks graphics and sound, which may deter some players.
No save or backtrack option, making it frustrating to replay after a mistake.
Some continuity errors and rushed sections towards the end.

story
911 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
65%
1%
The story in "Choice of Robots" is highly praised for its depth, emotional engagement, and the significant impact of player choices on the narrative. Players appreciate the vast array of branching paths and endings, which encourage multiple playthroughs to explore different outcomes. While some critiques mention occasional stiffness in character development and pacing issues, the overall consensus is that the writing is compelling and thought-provoking, making it a standout example of interactive storytelling.
- “The story is incredibly compelling, and it's made better by the fact that the outcome is at least somewhat unique to you.”
- “Your choices truly alter the course of the story, and the writing style is very pleasant and engaging to read.”
- “This game is a true work of art and has captivated me beyond all expectations; the story is what you make it, and it is you who are in the story.”
- “The plot isn't particularly inspired, and characters feel flat, maybe with the exception of the robot companion.”
- “The misgivings I have are largely due to the breakneck speed of the story, as that breakneck speed was the cause of the somewhat under-characterized human characters and seemingly the decreased relevance of the first half to the story.”
- “The story was great in itself, but the lack of inclusion ruined part of it for me.”
emotional
140 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly praised, with many players reporting intense feelings ranging from joy to heartbreak throughout their playthroughs. The narrative's depth and the impact of player choices create strong emotional attachments to characters, leading to moments of genuine introspection and tears. Overall, the game is lauded for its ability to evoke profound emotional responses, often surpassing those found in high-budget films and traditional video games.
- “This game was more poignant and emotional than most high-budget films or triple-A video games can ever hope to be.”
- “I cried when my robot granddaughter was born.”
- “The story writing itself is very well done, and often times very touching depending on what path you take.”
replayability
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
53%
3%
Replayability in the game is highly praised, with many players noting its vast number of branching paths and meaningful choices that lead to diverse outcomes. While some titles in the genre suffer from a lack of impactful decisions, this game stands out for its ability to offer unique experiences with each playthrough, making it a recommended choice for fans of interactive narratives. However, a few users mentioned that repetitive segments can detract from the overall replay value.
- “With its ingenious gameplay, compelling writing, meaningful choices, and endless replayability, it stands as a shining example of the genre.”
- “Choice of robots is endlessly replayable and makes you feel like every single decision matters.”
- “The depth of choices and morally divergent outcomes make it meaningful but also replayable.”
- “Most CYOA titles have poor replayability, with the second playthrough demonstrating that many of your choices didn't matter and you were railroaded to your ending.”
- “While this frustrating lack of a feature allows for massive amounts of replayability (or re-readability), it also means that much of that replayability will inevitably consist of carefully skimming through increasingly repetitive passages to get back to some critical choice or another which may lead you on to a different ending.”
- “Players may find, as I did, that there isn't much replay value.”
graphics
85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
68%
9%
The game features no traditional graphics, relying solely on text to convey its narrative, which some players find refreshing and immersive, allowing for a deeper engagement with the story through imagination. While the absence of visuals and audio may deter some, many reviewers appreciate the focus on storytelling and player choice, arguing that it enhances the overall experience. Overall, the game is praised for its rich narrative and emotional depth, demonstrating that compelling storytelling can outweigh the need for flashy graphics.
- “This game is beautifully written, with simple, pleasant graphics, and a tremendous narrative!”
- “It's a nice change of pace, not being bombarded by graphics and instead being able to imagine it as you see fit - which to me is just as great if it were animated.”
- “All in all though this game is pure testament to how a game doesn't need high-rated graphics or a symphony orchestra to be fun and groundbreaking in terms of story.”
- “The lack of any kind of audio or visual aesthetic might stop some people from giving it a moment's notice, which is a terrible shame.”
- “Be aware that there are no graphics whatsoever; it's just words in a plain white GUI with multiple choice options popping up constantly for you to decide the direction of the story.”
- “There's no graphics, no music, and no action (besides the ones being described with words).”
gameplay
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
69%
5%
The gameplay of this title is primarily centered around interactive storytelling, where player choices significantly impact the narrative and outcomes, creating a deeply immersive experience. While traditional gameplay mechanics are minimal, the game excels in offering meaningful decisions that enhance replayability and emotional engagement. Overall, it is praised for its compelling writing and innovative approach to choice-driven gameplay, making it a standout in the genre despite its lack of conventional mechanics.
- “From designing and building your own robots to making critical choices that shape the course of your career, the gameplay is immersive and captivating.”
- “With its ingenious gameplay, compelling writing, meaningful choices, and endless replayability, it stands as a shining example of the genre.”
- “The choices you're able to make throughout the game really put the cherry on top; the game's mechanics follow a normal choice-based game, but the choices you make are relevant throughout the story, altering the ending.”
- “There is little gameplay to be found in this interactive novel.”
- “There is no gameplay in the traditional sense.”
- “Gameplay elements are minimal: you're given a choice, possibly your robots' stats change depending on your choice, then the story continues.”
music
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
60%
7%
The game features no original music or graphics, leading players to recommend creating their own playlists to enhance the experience. While some appreciate the minimalist design, many feel that a soundtrack would significantly enrich the atmosphere and emotional impact of the story. Overall, players suggest pairing the game with ambient or thematic music to fully immerse themselves in the narrative.
- “As I played it in my darkened living room, surrounded by the ambient, robotic music I put on, I found myself feeling like it wasn't just a story.”
- “Put a great sci-fi soundtrack on (there's ample on YouTube) and prepare yourself for a deep, choice-driven story.”
- “I truly suggest you spend the money for this wonderful game, get a drink and a snack, turn on a bit of easy to listen to music, and enjoy.”
- “Sorry to say that it lacks music and pictures.”
- “This is an entirely text-based computer game, devoid of pictures or background music entirely.”
- “No music, no pictures, just text.”
humor
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Choice of Robots" is widely praised for its cleverness and range, seamlessly blending funny moments with poignant themes and emotional depth. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke laughter through witty writing and absurd scenarios, while also tackling serious moral dilemmas, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. Overall, the humor is described as intelligent, well-integrated, and a key element that enhances the game's narrative experience.
- “I love this game, and I've put in the hours to prove it; time that was well worth it, as the choice of robots is intelligent, humorous, insightful, and above all, an obvious labor of love by the developers.”
- “It can be serious without taking itself too seriously, and it's funny without trying too hard, as well.”
- “With whatever route you take for the story, the writing is excellent and there is always that subtle taste of humor somewhere mixed splendidly well with some moving moments.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its depth and engagement, with users appreciating the immersive experience it provides, particularly in relation to themes of artificial intelligence and societal implications. However, some players noted that the addition of music could enhance the overall ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere is likened to that of a best-selling novel, with strong pacing and character development.
- “It really gives a sense of atmosphere, and I found the idea of creating and teaching my very own robot (something in real life I could never do, lol) appealing.”
- “The atmosphere, pacing, and character development are on par with that of a best-selling novel.”
- “I was enlightened to the social, political, and economic perspectives of the future, with a large focus on the effects of introducing artificial intelligence (or lack thereof).”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
Overall, the character development in the game is praised for its depth and engaging writing, comparable to that of a best-selling novel or a quality speculative sci-fi novella. However, some players noted a lack of character development in certain scenarios, which may be influenced by specific player choices.
- “The atmosphere, pacing, and character development are on par with that of a best-selling novel.”
- “I am also a huge fan of text-based games, and this one definitely showcases excellent writing and character development.”
- “The story had me glued to the screen, and I sincerely fell in love with the characters and their development.”
- “The story the game generated for me was easily comparable to a good speculative sci-fi novella; however, downsides included a shortage of character development (possibly triggered by my character's insatiable bloodlust).”
- “The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked the depth needed for meaningful development throughout the game.”
- “I was disappointed by how little the characters evolved over the course of the story, making it hard to connect with them.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game both enjoyable and frustrating, as the repetitive nature of having to replay sections to explore different choices can be tedious. The absence of features like a back option or save points further discourages experimentation, leading to a less engaging experience for those who dislike repetitive gameplay.
- “It is really fun, but it is so tedious and frustrating having to play through the entire thing to change something.”
- “So experimenting with different branches after the initial playthrough is discouraged, due to the tediousness of having to go through the same choices every time to get to a divergent point that you are interested in.”
- “I have few hours on record due to the fact that I completed the game twice in a relaxed reading session, but again, the lack of a back option or a save feature discouraged me, as I do not like tedious activities.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews suggest that concerns about optimization are minimal and may not significantly impact overall user experience or satisfaction.
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is generally strong, though some users have noted minor glitches, such as inconsistencies in choice consequences. Despite these issues, it remains highly regarded as one of the best text-based games available.
- “While there are some glitches in some of the choices (like building your factory in China has no negatives in the war against China), this is by far one of the best text-based games I've ever played.”