If It Please the Court
- May 20, 2021
- Heart's Choice
Get on SteamIn "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.
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Reviews
- 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.
- story13 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
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.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
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.”
