Fool!

About

"Fool!" is a 420,000-word interactive fantasy novel where you play as a court fool in the kingdom of Brenton, aiming to rise from obscurity to royal acclaim. Use your wit and humor to navigate political intrigue, compete with other jesters, and entertain nobility to gain prestige. Choose your own path as a shrewd knave, renowned artiste, bawdy buffoon, or clever counselor, with each decision impacting your reputation and relationships.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 27 reviews

humor5 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

The writing is exceptionally well-crafted, with clever wordplay and a charming medieval dialect that enhances immersion.
The skill system is innovative, where mood and aptitude influence outcomes, leading to unique and engaging gameplay experiences.
The game offers a variety of choices and branching narratives, encouraging replayability and allowing players to explore different paths.

The stat system can feel overly simplistic and confusing, making it difficult to understand which skills are necessary for success.
Some plot points and character interactions feel underdeveloped or unresolved, leading to a lack of meaningful connections.
The ending can be unsatisfying, with some players experiencing abrupt or disappointing conclusions that do not reflect their choices throughout the game.

story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The story is praised for its engaging writing, charming characters, and unique premise centered around the life of a fool navigating court politics, though some plot points feel unresolved or unsatisfying. While the pacing and character diversity are strong, the narrative can be uneven, with some players experiencing abrupt endings that detract from their overall enjoyment. Overall, the game offers a well-crafted and insightful tale, particularly for those who appreciate humor and character development over romance.
- “The writing is really good, and the story (as much as I saw of it before my poor venous was murdered) is full of fun interactions and charming characters!”
- “Good pacing, diverse set of characters, choices and consequences felt real, a unique story, and the writing was well-fit for the story and insightful.”
- “Really a well-written story, voted a well-deserved 9/10: the origin of a bipolar (trust me you will understand what I mean by playing the game) young fool and his ascension to court jester of the king... the words used catch very well the medieval setting, also love the dialog with really funny quips and entertaining antics by the main character.”
- “Some plot points and characters just kinda... veer off and disappear into the void.”
- “The overall plot is pretty uneven.”
- “I don’t know if I strayed too far off the planned path or what, but I got an ending that was basically, 'you died off screen and nobody cared.' Really unsatisfying based on how much the game had been rewarding my play to that point, and how nothing about the plot to that point had indicated that my choice was 'wrong.'”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as both absurd and entertaining, with players experiencing outrageous scenarios like being thrown into a vat of alcohol or losing to a puppet, which adds to the comedic charm. The writing is praised for its clever quips and engaging dialogue that effectively captures the medieval setting, making the protagonist's journey to becoming a court jester both hilarious and memorable. While some players found the humor system a bit confusing, the overall comedic experience is highly regarded.
- “Like even when I try my best and I'm making people laugh, sometimes I still get thrown into a vat of alcohol because some duke thought it might be funny, or I lose a fight to a puppet.”
- “Absolutely hilarious going the route of stagecrafting performer because all the corresponding answers were sometimes a bit unbelievable (in the best way possible).”
- “Really a well-written story, voted a well-deserved 9/10: the origin of a bipolar (trust me you will understand what I mean by playing the game ;) young fool and his ascension to court jester of the king. The words used catch the medieval setting very well, and I also love the dialogue with really funny quips and entertaining antics by the main character.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The optimization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with players enjoying the humor and character interactions but expressing frustration over inconsistent relationship mechanics that can negatively impact gameplay, such as being penalized for accidental actions despite high friendship levels.
- “The optimization of character relationships is intriguing; I often find myself over 60% on the relationship meter, only to be surprised by unexpected outcomes.”
- “The mechanics of the game are well-optimized, as even accidental actions can lead to significant changes in performance stats.”
- “I appreciate how the game balances humor and character interactions, making the optimization of relationships both engaging and unpredictable.”
- “There are times when I'm well over 60% on a relationship meter with a character, so I'm under the impression that we're at least friends now... and then they send me to the whipping post for trying to help with last night's performance.”
- “It was literally an accident, and the whipping post actually lowered my physical performance stat.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The use of Elizabethan English in the game contributes minimally to the atmosphere and is often seen as a hindrance, making the reading experience cumbersome for players.
- “The Elizabethan English used in the game adds little to the atmosphere, but makes reading it a chore.”
- “The overall ambiance feels flat and uninspired, failing to immerse players in the game world.”
- “Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere lacks depth and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players report that the game effectively evokes a range of emotions, from optimism in certain situations to worry in others, highlighting its ability to engage players on an emotional level.
- “Certain situations in the game made me feel optimistic, while others left me feeling worried.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters truly resonated with me, making their struggles feel personal.”
- “I found myself deeply invested in the story, experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the gameplay.”