If It Please the Court

About

In "If It Please the Court," become a spy for the court in 18th-century Versailles, using lies and deceit to change your life and influence the country's fate. Your choices will determine your love life, whether it's a spymistress, a poet, or a double agent who captures your heart. This 242,000 word interactive novel empowers you to shape the story through your decisions.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 18 reviews

story7 positive mentions

gameplay2 negative mentions

The game features beautifully written prose and well-developed characters, making the narrative engaging and immersive.
It offers a variety of paths and choices, allowing players to explore different character developments and outcomes, enhancing replayability.
The representation of LGBTQ+ identities and relationships is handled with care and respect, providing a welcoming experience for diverse players.

The pacing of the story becomes rushed in the latter half, leading to abrupt transitions and a feeling of unresolved plot threads.
Some players found the world-building to be underdeveloped or convenient at times, which detracted from the overall experience.
While the game excels in many areas, a few players noted that certain choices felt less impactful than expected, leading to a sense of missed opportunities.

story
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
23%
23%
The story is praised for its intriguing plot, well-developed characters, and the variety of choices that enhance replayability. While the first half flows beautifully, some reviewers noted that the pacing becomes rushed after a key confrontation, leading to a less satisfying conclusion. Overall, the writing is described as compelling and diverse, with a strong emphasis on queer representation, making it a standout narrative in the genre.
- “The storyline itself is very intriguing, and I enjoyed unraveling it. The choices I didn't make are almost as intriguing as those I did, and I can't wait to play through again to try out a different character and different paths.”
- “The author is very skilled with words, and this is definitely a story to be swept up in!”
- “It's got a lot of heart and a wonderful story to tell.”
- “Cons: the story flowed beautifully throughout the first half, but after the first confrontation with Apollon, things started to feel very rushed.”
- “The plot that had been building up so intricately seemed to just... fall apart.”
- “Exceptionally queer throughout the whole story, not just in your choice of love interests, and very compelling.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
The gameplay is centered around seduction, featuring intuitive mechanics and well-defined choices that enhance the narrative without being overly explicit.
- “I found it to be a pretty intuitive mechanic, with well-defined choices that aren't too on the nose.”
- “For a game where seduction is so central to its gameplay and narrative, this is essential.”
- “I found it pretty intuitive mechanic-wise -- with well-defined choices without the writing being too on the nose.”