Choice of the Deathless
- August 29, 2014
- Choice of Games
- 6h median play time
For what Choice of the Deathless does, it does it quite well, serving a somewhat memorable, yet painfully short adventure with some great writing. It's just a shame it isn't any longer!
Get on Steam
Get on Apple Store"Choice of the Deathless" is a text-based game set in a fantasy realm, where you play as a lawyer at a demonic firm, battling demons and undead attorneys to win souls and pay off student loans. The game offers flexible character options and a rich, intrigue-filled world to explore, with careful balance required between work, relationships, and personal well-being. Your choices in contracts, relationships, and mystery-solving can lead to different outcomes, including the possibility of making partner or losing your own soul.
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Reviews
- The writing is engaging and witty, creating a captivating narrative that draws players into the unique world of demonic lawyering.
- The game offers meaningful choices that impact the story and character relationships, providing a sense of agency and replayability.
- The diverse cast of characters and the ability to explore different romantic options add depth and enjoyment to the gameplay experience.
- The game can feel linear at times, with major plot points remaining largely the same across multiple playthroughs, which may reduce the sense of true choice.
- Some players found the lack of visuals and audio to be a drawback, making the experience feel less immersive compared to more graphically rich games.
- The pacing can be rushed, particularly in the beginning, which may hinder players' ability to fully grasp the world and its complexities.
- story228 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is a unique blend of supernatural elements and legal drama, set in a world where magic and bureaucracy intersect. While some players found the plot engaging and well-written, others noted it could be confusing and occasionally bland, with limited impact from player choices. Overall, the narrative offers a captivating experience with memorable characters and a variety of outcomes, making it enjoyable for fans of interactive storytelling.
“The story plays with its own structure and takes unexpected turns, and its unusual premise hooked me straightaway.”
“The story is set in a world where gods are real and have a presence on earth, where powerful demons can enter our world but are bound by contracts (which they try to find loopholes in), and where humans have magical abilities called 'the craft'.”
“The story is very well-written, the humor used is witty, and the world is original and intriguing.”
“The story feels very 'all over the place', and you are constantly bombarded with terms that aren't really explained.”
“Absolutely strange storyline which goes in no real direction and is a waste of time and money.”
“The choices were average, nothing really has any bearing on the story, but you'll want to go back and pick all the other options just to read what happens.”
- graphics17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The game features minimal graphics, relying solely on text and a basic interface, which some players find limiting. However, many appreciate the engaging writing and narrative depth, suggesting that the lack of visuals does not detract from the overall experience. It is recommended for those who value storytelling over graphical quality.
“Although characterized by a very basic and minimal graphic interface, this 'game' (more like a modern version of those gamebooks once so popular) has a fascinating plot and manages to fully capture the player's attention.”
“The lack of eye-catching graphics and wonderful music was without a doubt counteracted with overwhelmingly breathtaking writing and should not be thought of as a con for the game.”
“There is rapier wit to spare in the clever dialogue, narrative and general premise, the characters are written exceptionally well, and the descriptive writing makes the absence of visuals a moot point; your imagination, from the visual cues indicated, is the most effective tool.”
“There are no graphics or tidbits of game mechanics to make believe this is a game rather than a story.”
“Don't buy it if you think a game is all about graphic quality or music.”
“No graphics, no audio...nothing like that.”
- humor16 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in these interactive games is characterized by a blend of dark and witty elements, often enhanced by relatable dialogue and absurd scenarios. Players appreciate the clever writing and immersive storytelling, which effectively balance humor with complex plots and engaging characters. While the humor may appeal to specific tastes, it generally adds a unique charm to the gaming experience, making it both entertaining and memorable.
“The story is well written and interesting; I really adore their writing style in this (and ha, the humor).”
“I really enjoyed playing this game, its interesting storyline and variations, the clever and humorous voices, and the honestly awesome world that it has going on.”
“It's creepy, it's funny, it has a complex and enjoyable plot and loveable(/hateable) characters.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily narrative-driven, focusing on choices that impact the story, though it lacks traditional mechanics and graphics. While some players appreciate the engaging narrative and fluid decision-making, others find the gameplay overly simplistic and occasionally confusing due to the integration of choice mechanics. Overall, it offers a solid experience for those who enjoy story-oriented games, despite its limitations in gameplay depth.
“The narrative structure is nicely designed and feeds into engaging gameplay.”
“A really good story and interesting gameplay.”
“The gameplay is not too linear, and the choices you make do matter.”
“Gameplay often just consisted of avoiding instadeaths and finding the 'correct' path.”
“There are no graphics or tidbits of game mechanics to make believe this is a game rather than a story.”
“Primarily because there is no real gameplay.”
- replayability15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the numerous choices and different endings that encourage multiple playthroughs, others find the short story length and repetitive chapters diminish its replay value. Many agree that it offers good value for its price, with a fair amount of replayability for fans of interactive novels, though some suggest there are better options available for similar costs.
“It's easy to spend a couple of hours on an imaginative little story, and there's some replay value to see the different outcomes.”
“It's cheap and has huge replay value, so if you're a fan of interactive novels, I'd go ahead and buy it.”
“The 'game' has a relatively short playtime, but has a huge number of choices that have interesting impacts on the way the story unfolds, and has tons of replay value.”
“Re-reading the same chapters over and over hurts replay value.”
“The replay value is low and the story is also very short.”
“There are a lot better games out for less than $5.00 that provide a lot more replayability and entertainment.”
- music13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game is largely absent, with many users noting the lack of a soundtrack and sound effects, which can make the experience feel incomplete. However, some players appreciate the freedom to set their own music while playing, allowing for a personalized experience. Overall, while the absence of music is seen as a drawback by some, others find that the strong writing compensates for it, encouraging players to engage their imagination.
“A 10/10 for letting me set the soundtrack.”
“The lack of eye-catching graphics and wonderful music was without a doubt counteracted with overwhelmingly breathtaking writing and should not be thought of as a con for the game.”
“It's also nice to be able to listen to music while playing.”
“There's no music, no graphics.”
“No music, no images, no narration, only the story to indulge in.”
“I still would have wished for music.”
- character development4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players praised the excellent development of every character, others felt it lacked depth and world-building, resulting in insufficient engagement. Additionally, the structured pacing was noted to hinder interactions among supporting characters, leading to a less satisfying narrative experience for some.
“Excellent character development of every character throughout.”
“Others have obviously enjoyed it because the game has been well received, but for me there was insufficient world-building and character development to grab my attention and make me want to know more.”
“There was little to no character development throughout.”
“Fast-paced, the structure is a bit too defined for the sake of various character development (e.g. introduction of John Smith for Vega, panel talk for Wakefield, etc.), with little interaction among supporting characters; a barely acceptable level of literature.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players find the storyline complex and engaging, fostering a strong attachment to the characters, others feel the world is semi-interesting with a lackluster story and forgettable characters. Overall, the game has the potential to evoke deep emotions that resonate more than typical movies or books for some players.
“The storyline was complex, emotional, witty, and fun; the characters' personalities shine through, and no one really feels the same, so it does not become tiresome.”
“I cannot remember the last game that made me feel emotionally attached to the characters that had been introduced to me and made me want to do right by them so well.”
“This game has made me feel emotions that a lot of movies and books just can't.”
“The world is semi-interesting, but the story and characters are so boring that I couldn't care less about them in the end.”
“The emotional depth is lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters or feel invested in their journeys.”
“Despite the potential for emotional engagement, the narrative falls flat, leaving me feeling indifferent to the outcomes.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has been criticized for causing frequent stuttering, which disrupts the overall experience and makes it feel less smooth, akin to driving a sports car that intermittently falters.
“In short, reading the author's sentences felt a bit like driving a sports car that keeps stuttering every 30 seconds.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive quality, effective pacing, and replayability, making it a standout in the choose-your-own-adventure genre.
“The atmosphere in this game is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world with every choice you make.”
“The beautifully crafted environments and haunting sound design create a captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
“This game excels in creating a rich atmosphere that enhances the storytelling and makes each decision feel impactful.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy has been criticized for feeling overly aggressive, with some players finding the promotion of the creator's other games at the end of the experience to be intrusive and off-putting.
“There is only so much entertainment one can glean from this, and personally, I consider the creator's notes at the end practically shoving their other games as advertising down my throat, which I find a little insulting.”
