Choice of the Petal Throne
- April 9, 2015
- Choice of Games
Get on Steam
Get on Apple StoreIn "Choice of the Petal Throne," embark on a text-based adventure in the diverse fantasy world of Tékumel, where you play as a captain in a Tsolyáni army during a civil war. Your choices shape your character, including gender and sexuality, as you navigate political intrigue and battle to claim the Petal Throne. This 124,000-word interactive novel, by Danielle Goudeau, offers a unique and immersive experience set in M.A.R. Barker's distinctive universe. Tékumel™ and Empire of the Petal Throne™ are trademarks of M.A.R. Barker and are used with permission of the Tékumel Foundation.
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Reviews
- The game offers an interesting and original cultural setting that combines various influences, providing a unique experience.
- There are opportunities for replayability as different choices can lead to varied outcomes and scenes.
- The game has good mechanics and pacing, with some engaging political drama and character-building in the later sections.
- The game is notably short, leaving players wanting more content and depth in the story.
- Many characters are unremarkable and difficult to remember, leading to a lack of emotional connection.
- The setting is complex and may be confusing for players unfamiliar with the world of Tekumel, creating a steep learning curve.
- story22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging narrative and character development, describing it as an "awesome" experience that flows well. However, some users felt that the story was too brief and left them wanting more, while others criticized its simplicity and lack of meaningful choices. Overall, it presents an interesting mix of culture and familiar tropes, but may not satisfy those looking for depth and complexity.
“From everything from the in-depth descriptions to how well the story flowed with all the characters, it was just a great experience from beginning to end.”
“Really good and interesting story.”
“This story was awesome!”
“The only issue I had was that before I knew it, the story was over.”
“Well, some people usually complain about cog games ('the choices don't matter at all to the story!') may be satisfied; however, for me, the story ended when it was just starting.”
“The story is plain and simple (mild spoilers ahead) - creating some background of your character, then some battle, then some dungeon crawling with a plot twist at the end - and, well, that's all, plus some usual cog romances.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Gameplay is generally well-received, with solid mechanics and meaningful choices regarding gender and patron deities that impact the experience beyond mere aesthetics. However, the complexity of the Tekumel world can be overwhelming for new players, making it challenging to fully grasp within a short gameplay session.
“The choices of gender or patron deity do influence gameplay in some way rather than being merely cosmetic.”
“The world of Tekumel is just too much to be taken in for about an hour of gameplay.”
“Choices of gender or patron deity do influence gameplay in some way rather than being merely cosmetic.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of "Choice of the Petal Throne" is criticized for feeling more like a promotional tool for the Tekumel universe rather than a genuine interactive game experience, leading some users to view it as an advertisement rather than a compelling choice-driven narrative.
“In the end, Choice of the Petal Throne felt more like an advertisement for the universe of Tekumel rather than a cog game.”
“In the end, Choice of the Petal Throne felt more like an advertisement for the universe of Tekumel rather than a cog game.”
“Summary: In my opinion, it isn't a cog-style choose your adventure game/novel - it's just a Tekumel advertisement.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is noted for its initial effectiveness in enhancing the game's experience, but it tends to lose its impact once players become accustomed to it, leading to a diminished sense of immersion as the story progresses.
“Yeah, it probably builds some atmosphere - but when you get used to it, the story ends.”
