Runt of the Litter
- February 23, 2017
- Choice of Games
A charming story within a world not too complex, but not too bland, Runt of the Litter takes very little time in getting one interested in the little runt that is your very own gryphon. In addition to a well written story, it is interesting enough to make me want to go back and try a different path to see all the outcomes. I would love to see a sequel of some sort out of this.
Get on Steam
Get on Apple StoreSteal and raise a baby war gryphon! Will you fight dragons together to save the empire, or defy the empire and lead your people to freedom? Runt of the Litter is a 150,000 word interactive fantasy novel by Kelly Sandoval, where your choices control the story. It's entirely text-based—without graphics or sound effects—and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination.
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Reviews
- Engaging and well-written story that captures the reader's interest, especially with the adorable gryphon characters.
- Offers a variety of choices that can impact the narrative, providing some replay value.
- The world-building and character dynamics are intriguing, making the relationships feel natural and believable.
- The game is notably short, with an abrupt ending that feels like it cuts off before reaching a satisfying conclusion.
- Many choices lack significant impact on the overall storyline, leading to a sense of linearity and missed potential.
- The use of non-binary pronouns feels forced and can disrupt immersion, as it is not well integrated into the fantasy setting.
- story111 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its charm and emotional depth, particularly in the context of bonding with gryphons. However, several critiques highlight its brevity, lack of character development, and a somewhat abrupt ending, leaving some players wanting more substance and exploration of the narrative. While the interactive elements allow for character-driven choices, they often do not significantly alter the overall storyline, which can lead to a feeling of limited impact on the plot.
“I loved every minute of it, the story is amazing, the choices are great, it's very emotional at times too!”
“By the end, I felt truly connected to the story and honestly I was sad to see it end.”
“The choices are interesting, the story is wonderful, and the writing is lovely.”
“It's a good tale, but I'm an avid reader and the story was too simple for me.”
“My biggest complaint is that it feels like there should be more of this story--more meat in the middle and something to carry it forward past the end.”
“But the minimal character development, somewhat rushed overarching storyline, and unnecessary use of modern, gender-neutral pronouns in a setting where hermaphroditic people would be considered unnatural and worthy of the stake were somewhat off-putting for me.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a deeply emotional experience, often feeling significant attachment to characters and storylines, which can lead to feelings of sadness and trauma. The narrative and choices resonate strongly, enhancing the emotional impact and making players feel a personal connection to their in-game companions.
“I loved every minute of it, the story is amazing, the choices are great, it's very emotional at times too!”
“The concept was great, the story made me feel as if my gryphon was my pet.”
“I now have more emotional trauma never knowing if Stormspark or my lover got away... I am sad now :(”
- character development4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in this choose-your-own-adventure game is minimal and feels rushed, detracting from the overall experience. Additionally, the use of modern, gender-neutral pronouns in a historically inconsistent context has been noted as off-putting by some players.
“Character development, as I indicated above, is not very prevalent in this CYOA.”
“But the minimal character development, somewhat rushed overarching storyline, and unnecessary use of modern, gender-neutral pronouns in a setting where hermaphroditic people would be considered unnatural and worthy of the stake were somewhat off-putting for me.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's replayability due to the diverse range of gryphon breeds and personalities, which encourages multiple playthroughs to explore different combinations and experiences.
“The variety of gryphon breeds and personalities is a nice aspect of the game and offers some replay value.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally regarded as enjoyable, though it is noted to be somewhat short and simplistic, leading to a good experience overall.
“Overall a good game, a bit short and simple as far as gameplay goes, but a good experience.”
