If you’re having trouble with the links, you can view this post from your dash, or check out my spreadsheet. This post contains completed works and those with no demos yet. For WIPs, check out my other IF post.
LINKS
Old recs post ✦ Old recs page ✦ NEW favorites page [coming soon-ish?]
WARNING: Most of these games are written for adults and contains mature themes. If you are under 18, please be mindful of the content/trigger warnings before playing, and don’t interact with games that deal with something you’re not comfortable with. Proceed at your own risk.
Last updated: April 9, 2022
TEXT-BASED
COMPLETE
Creatures Such as We by Lynnea Glasser
Crème de la Crème by Hannah Powell-Smith (@hpowellsmith)
Fallen Hero: Rebirth (@fallenhero-rebirth) by Malin Rydén
The Grim and I by Thom Baylay
Heart of the House by Nissa Campbell
Keeper of the Sun and Moon (@keeperofthesunandmoon) by Brynn Chernosky
The Soul Stone War [1, 2] by Morgan Vane (@intimidatingpuffinstudios)
Vampire: The Masquerade — Night Road by Kyle Marquis
Wayhaven Chronicles [Book 1, Book 2] by Mishka Jenkins (@seraphinitegames)
Way Walkers: University [1, 2] by by J. Leigh (with Mac J Rea for book 1)
DEMO TBA
Dusk Till Dawn (@dusktilldawn-if)
Hollowsheart by Cerberus (@cerberus-writes)
Howling Flames (@howlingflames-if) by Glyndwr
What Lovely Bones (@whatlovelybones-if) by axel
VISUAL NOVELS
COMPLETE
Blooming Panic by robobarbie (@robobarbie)
Cupid (@cupidvn) by FERVENT
Ebon Light by Underbliss (@underbliss)
The Knife of the Traitor by Chegovia (@notttt-che)
Lake of Voices by GBPatch (@gb-patch)
Mnemonic Devices by Harlevin Studios (@harlevin)
Off the Cuff by Alexis Royce (@alexis-royce)
Our Life: Beginnings & Always by GBPatch (@gb-patch)
Perfumare by Rook (@pdrrook)
Red Embrace: Hollywood by Argent Games (@argentgames)
To celebrate the (soon-to-be) release of the full game of "Darling, Darling... Dead?", we're giving away 5 keys (Itch.io or Steam)!
To participate in the giveaway, like or reblog the post, and on Friday, November 29, 2024, we'll pick 5 random blogs from the list. Good luck!
If you are the winner, please have your Ask box or DMs open and respond to us within 48 hours. If you don't, we'll have to pick a new winner.
Play the demo on Itch.io [here]!
Battle for love as a gladiator in this epic romance of swords and sandals!
Heart of Battle is a 255,000-word interactive gladiator romance by Fay Ikin, 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.
As a prisoner of Coritan City, you had two options: rot in a dungeon or battle in the gladiatorial arena. You chose to fight—and as a star gladiator, you have the power to sway public opinion as nobody else does.
The city is divided, ruled by the glittering Illustrious who use their wealth and status to maintain their power over the struggling masses. A lucky few have access to magic as well: it can be used to heal, but it can also be used as a weapon, or to reinforce the bars of prisons.
Below them, rumors of revolution simmer—and nowhere more strongly than among the gladiators. Former soldiers, political prisoners, and prisoners of war now bide their time, plotting to rise up. Some just hope to escape to their own freedom; others want to bring down the entire oppressive system. Yet others seek to work within the hierarchy, currying favor among the Illustrious in the hopes of having their freedom bought by a wealthy patron.
In this treacherous web of alliances that you must navigate, the one certainty is your own heart. Will you find love with a gentle healer, haunted by a tragic past? A wealthy patron who could promise you a life of luxury? Or even one of your fellow gladiators, whose muscles and martial skill you admire through every battle: a fervent ex-revolutionary now condemned to the same servitude as you, or a bold daring warrior who seeks fame and glory.
What skills will you bring to the battlefield: domineering strength, agile cunning or force of personality? Will you accept your fate and build a reputation as a respectable, honorable fighter, relying on the aristocrats to free you? Or will you throw in with the rebels? Victory can mean a better life for you and your beloved—but what will you do if you find yourself on the opposite side of a gladiatorial match from the one you love? Or on the opposite side of a revolution?
Play as male, female, or non-binary; trans or cis; gay, straight, bi, demisexual, asexual, or aromantic.
Romance a gentle healer; a glory-hound gladiator; a wealthy patron; or an ex-revolutionary.
Choose your weapon: fight with sword, mace, bow, daggers, or bladed gauntlet.
Negotiate your way through relationships with your superiors, walk the balance of power between gladiators and guards, and clash with a bitter rival.
Win battles with honor, or scheme and cheat to take down your enemies.
I had made a small tutorial back on @interact-if a few months ago. Here is the very extended version. Also this is a very long post.
Obviously, you are not forced to do every single one of those actions below (it would be hypocritical of me to say so), but it helps show the authors their readerbase care about their works. Most action only takes a few seconds to a couple of minutes.
Let me know if I forgot something or made a mistake!
Note: while this is specific to IF authors, it can also be applied to other creators.
TLDR: Engage with stuff you like. Lurking might be nice and easy for you but can be detrimental to your fav author. Sharing is caring, y'all!
Also, please don't keep the base avatar, it makes us think you are a bot. Don't behave like a bot.
On this Hellsite.
Many ways to interact with the authors you follow. Some are very simple but not really effective. Others require a bit more effort but really goes a long way.
Likes
The easiest to do. Just one click on the heart.
Pros:
- tells your fav author you like their stuff.
- easiest thing to do.
Cons:
- It's pretty much just a bookmark function on this site.
- The "algorithm" doesn't really care for it.
ALSO: don't feel weird about going through the archive and like old posts. You'll prob find some gems there. LIKING OLD CONTENT IS NOT CRINGY!!!
Reblog
Requires maybe 3 more clicks and some typing if you add comments/tags. Still relatively easy. Best way to share what you like to others. The only way a post appears on a dashboard.
Pros:
- tells your fav author you like their stuff in a more ✨🌟personalised 🌟✨way.
- helps their post travel this hellscape and reach other people who could like this content (see addendum at the end).
- the "algorithm" likes it.
- you can queue them for a later date/so you don't spam your followers.
Cons: None (lol).
Notes:
- do not reblog posts with a #don't reblog tag.
- consider adding trigger warnings to your reblogs if the original one has some too.
- TEMPLATE/ASSETS/RESSOURCE: always reblog those to help your neighbour. Who knows? One of your followers or your follower's followers might be looking for that. Also: good karma.
- post doesn't fit your ✨aesthetic ✨? have a side-blog and put it there.
Asks
Needs a bit more effort. You need to think of words to write or picture to send. Also, can feel a bit nerve-wracking interacting with someone you look up to (they're like you, don't worry). But one of the most rewarding note for authors.
Pro:
- you have a direct line of communication with the author, making it easy to ask questions, give feedback/comments.
- you can positively impact their days with a few words. Yup. Seriously.
- most authors really like asks, it's probably the most engaging response you can get from your readers.
- you can asks stuff anonymously (unless the author has turned it off), we've all done it.
Cons:
- you need to think of words to say and muster the courage to press ask.
- it might not available because other people abused it/were dicks in the author's dm.
Ask Etiquette/Advice
Be nice and respectful!
Just because you have a direct/anonymous like to that author doesn't mean manners can be thrown out the window. They are like everyone: humans with feelings. Internet may make it difficult to see other people as... well people, but they are. Don't be a dick. A Hello or How are you? really goes a long way.
Ask questions about the project/process
Interested in a particular part of the project or the authors' process? Ask about it! We love to talk about our projects and characters.
Feedback doesn't have to be complex/long.
If you don't know how to put your feelings about their works into words, take a small aspect of the project and explain why it stuck with you.
I really liked how you portrayed X's relationship with Y. That scene with Z made me feel V.
Or you can be a bit more generic (still add a bit of yourself):
Your writing is great! The UI is very pretty. The game is amazing.
Don't demand things.
Duh. That's rude.
Don't spam.
Even if they don't reply to your question right away. They may have a reason not to do it. Or they want to keep your post for just themselves. May be ok for positive ones (ask first).
Replies
This is fairly new on Tumblr (2021?). They're pretty much comments without rebloging. Great for giving feedback/sending love to a specific post.
Pro:
- Yay engagement.
- Another way to send your fav author love!
Cons:
- That's it. It's not visible unless you open the notes of a post. Unsure if it makes any difference in the algorithm.
- it is not anonymous.
Other ways
A non-exhaustive list:
Create fan art : Always appreciated, we love to see your interpretation of our work and your OCs. Caveat: only if the author allows it. Ask the author if you are unsure.
Participate in Beta-Testing : Big part of IF it testing before release. Many authors will have a call for beta a few weeks/months. Consider rebloging that too.
Answer Poll/Feedback forms : Aside from Beta-testing, authors may post a poll or ask for feedback for a functionality/path. This is a great way for us to get direct responses. Consider rebloging that too.
Published Platform
There are many places where an author can publish their games. Below are the most used/known ones. You will require an account for most of those (it's worth it, I promise).
ITCH.IO
Itch has a lot of games.
A LOT of Games. To help your favourite game gain traction, you need to... engage with it! All ways are super easy and takes very little time too!
Play the Game
Duh.
(Also I lied about the time it takes, that will depend on the game)
Account not required.
Collection
You can add games/assets/whatever page on a collection (folder) to keep it as a to play later or share as a game you enjoyed. You can make those collections public and share it to the world!
To do that, click on Add to Collection (top left corner on laptop, bottom bar on mobile) and choose the collection you want.
Rate the Game
It's as easy as 1, 2, 3. Nope, not joking. 3 clicks and that's it. Ready?
Click on Rate this... on the top-left corner of the page (or bottom bar on mobile).
Click on the amount of stars you want to give.
And click Submit.
Aaaaand that's it. Easy-peasy.
Review the Game
Want to give your rating a bit more depth? Or you have a comment you want to give the author? Then add a review to your rating before clicking on Submit!
Note: The review is only visible to the author.
Leave a Comment
You can leave a comment at the bottom of the game's page. Can be a few words, can be an essay, whatever floats your boat.
Don't know what to say? Take a small aspect of the game and explain why it stuck with you.
EX: I really liked how you portrayed X's relationship with Y. That scene with Z made me feel V. The UI/Design is W.
Also, you get notified if the creator answers your comment!
Share the game
There is not specific button on itch to share a game. BUT: you can copy the page's link and paste it wherever you want to share the game! Easy-peasy!
Other ways
Follow the Author: to get updated on the game's process, bugs fixes or updates.
Like/Comment on/Share Devlogs: those logs have a Tab similar to the main page where the most popular ones are more visible. You can like the logs on that log's page or in your feed if you follow that author; share directly on twitter/facebook (or copy paste the link to whatever platform); or comment on the page (if available).
Interact in the Community tab: a.k.a. Itch's forum. Discuss, review or recommend games there!
CoG Forums
Specifically for CScript games posted on Dashingdon or posted through CoG/HostedGames. Used for feedback, coding questions, writing questions... for CScript games.
Authors can create threads where the game can be discussed by other users. The thread locks itself automatically after 60 days since the last comment or if the author requests it.
As far as I know (not my preferred platform tbh), there are no rating systems on CoG. Games with payable content can be rated on other platforms (can be seen at the bottom of the page).
IFDB/IF Community Forum
IFDB - Interactive Fiction DataBase
As the name implies, the website works as a sort of archive/database for IF works. There are over 11k games (ongoing/completed) listed. Reviewing and Commenting is fairly easy. You can also put a game on your wishlist or indicate whether you've played it.
Rating is a one click job: on the amount of stars you want to give. And that's it!
Reviewing looks a bit more complicated at first, but I promise it's not too hard! The review link will send you to another page, where you will be asked to enter your comments about the game, add a title and optionally tag it. When you are done, click on the preview button at the bottom of the page. You get to review how your comment will look before publishing it (see below)
You can also create polls or participate in one, join a club, browse other reviews and game listings, etc...
IF Community Forum
Very similar to the CoG forum, but is open to other programs (Twine, Inform, Renpy...) and all sorts of IF (text base, VN, parser...). You can find help for coding or writing, talk about games you like....
There are special categories to review IF games or recommend some to other users.
As with every Forum communities, please be mindful of the rules of said forum before posting!
Steam
Thank you @pomegranate-cuties for the reminder.
If a game is to be published on Steam, adding it to your wishlist will increase its visibility before and on release.
You have the possibility to:
leave reviews and comments (SUPER IMPORTANT)
post screenshot or fanart
create guides and walkthroughs for other users.
interact in the community tab
Other platforms
If the project is hosted on other platforms, simply check if their page allows for rating/review, and get cracking!
Monetary support
If you can afford it or if your budget allows it, you can consider supporting your favourite author(s) with real money! You may get extra content or special features (ex: alpha release) for doing so.
Below are a few ways I've seen being used, but the best way is to follow the author's links/preferrence.
Tumblr: Tips/Subscriptions
This is a new functionality (2022), where you can now subscribe or tip a creator for their posts.
Note: Tumblr takes 5% commission on subscription but 0% on tips.
Patreon/Tipee
I think everyone knows about Pateron by now. Tipee if the European version of Patreon. They work the same way.
Note: Patreon charged your account when you sign up and on the 1st of every month + takes 9-12% commission on monthly income. Tipee is 8%.
Kofi
Another tipping platform (with less fees for the creator). Also used often for commissions.
Note: Kofi takes 0% to 5% commission + 3-4% from the payment processor.
Paypal/CashApp/Venmo/etc...
Another way to tip your author or pay for commission. Commission depends per platform.
Pay as you want/Donation Button Itch
Some authors have left the option to pay as much as you want or have a donation button on their game's page. You can donate/pay for the game this was as well!
Note: Itch takes a 10% commission on each sale EXCEPT on Creator's day (2/3 times a year).
ADDENDUM
Reblog posts to make them travel.
The image above is the Reblog Graph (Tumblr Lab Function), that shows part of the 100-ish reblog the intro post for my game @crimsonroseandwhitelily got since last year (original is the small red dot). There are a few branches that made that post travel and reach users who do not follow me but may have read the post and played the game.
Note: a shame they don't have a function with likes too... That'd be useful.
System Processing is now available to play on itch.io. The current build is an abridged version of the game with two of four endings. The current content represents about 30% of the story which will be released in full soon (I'm just an impatient person lol).
Content Warning: This story contains mature themes including depression, death, grief, and suicide.
System Processing is a short solarpunk story about Ov, a digital caretaker rapidly approaching retirement. Experience their final day, get to know the curious alien, Kor-Laðə, aid Ov's companions, and explore the beautiful world they inhabit in an introspective tale about individuality and symbiosis, understanding and acceptance, and grief and love.
Thank you so much for reading this! Reblogs are greatly appreciated and if you feel like it, I encourage you to rate or comment on itch.io 😊
Click Here to Play
Masterpost | Author | Other Games | Twitch | Ko-Fi
did u make that whole post bout rebloging or whatever cause u were buthurt no one likes ur stuff?
Are you talking about the comprehensive post about reader's action helping their fav authors' content get better visibility and showing them their love for their works? This post?
I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a hidden agenda behind it. It can be a bit disheartening to see many accounts following you but seeing only a handful of them engaging with you at all. I still do cherish every single individual doing anything with my content, you peeps are the best <3.
But mainly, it repeats a trend of posts I've seen popping more and more lately (I've rebloged some myself), where creators have seen a decline in readership engagement or at least an increase of a more passive one. People consume their contents rather than engaging with it (reblogs/shares/asks...), which in turn hurt their work's visibility. Less visibility means less potential engagement and less reach to a new reader/viewership.
It's a sentiment share as well by authors who already shared the post you mentioned:
Unlike other platforms, Tumblr's algorithm is you, the follower, rebloging stuff you like. Without reblogs, posts go nowhere. Being part of this community, I've seen my fair share of projects being discontinued because of that sense that no one cares about your work or because the readership demanded more without engaging with the work at all. It is taxing and demotivating.
So yeah, I created a long ass post for that. Partly for me because, like you say, I am a bit butthurt. But mainly because it is to better our community. We should raise each other rather than not engage at all.
The trolls are certainly coming out lately. Reblogs are necessary for IF authors. Without them, our stuff is not seen. Pointing that out is not wrong to do. More IF authors should educate others on how all this works.
That being said, people who think it is wrong of us to promote ourselves or feel like they should go out of their way to tell an author they are "butt hurt" apparently need a bit of our compassion and pity. Seeing as that's how they choose to spend their time, it is clear something is wrong in their life.
Someone has to leave first. This is a very old story. There is no other version of this story.
END]
Richard Siken, the worm king’s lullaby; from “War Of Foxes”
—
[ID: Tumblr user @slowwshoww writes:
suzanne collins killing prim after everything katniss did to save her………. THATS how you write a story about the brutality and futility of war ma'am thats what we call a compelling and fucked up narrative yessums thats storytelling babes!!!!
Tumblr user @books—and-cleverness adds a quote from an interview with the author of the book:
« That was one of the first questions I asked her when we sat down: ‘Did you always know that [Prim] was going to die?’ And she said, ‘Oh yeah, of course, that’s the whole point.’ » (x)
END ID]
–
[ID: Tumblr user @orpheuslament:
i love tragedy i love circular narratives i love ppl who cannot escape their fate & characters that have been dead since the beginning
END ID]
—
[ID: Tumblr user @faustandfurious:
the worst fictional deaths are actually the ones you see coming, where there is enough foreshadowing that you have time to hope, against all odds, that the character will survive, even as you realise that there’s no way out this time, they’re not going to make it, this was always how it was going to end.
END ID]
–
[Text description:
Do you still believe myths
can save you? Foolish creature
Let me be clear: every version of this story
Ends with you being slaughtered.
END]
Tory Adkisson, Anecdote of the Pig
–
[ID: Tumblr user @sawasawako:
if you’re dead at the end of the story were you dead from the beginning. oh emily brontë we’re really in it now
END]
–
[Text description:
This was always going to happen. She’s been dead from the beginning.
END]
Aeschylus, The Oresteia
–
[Text description:
This is why people cry at the movies: because everybody’s doomed. No one in a movie can help themselves in any way. Their fate has already staked its claim on them from the moment they appear onscreen.
Lilo & Stitch is a great example of a story that has no villains. It has antagonists, sure, but most of them are well-meaning. The worst person in the film is that little shit Myrtle, but she’s not in the film that much anyway.
Since this post is getting traction I want to clarify how not-villainous the antagonists are:
The Grand Councilwoman is literally just responding to what she sees as a threat to the galaxy and is extremely reasonable.
Gantu is much the same. He’s a bit overzealous, yes, but he thinks he’s saving the galaxy from stitch.
Cobra Bubbles is literally just doing his job, he’s obviously not happy about it but he is doing what he feels is best for Lilo. And much like the Councilwoman, he is extremely reasonable.
Myrtle is, again, just a little shit. She’s a schoolyard bully and is truly small potatoes.
Jumba calls himself an “evil scientist,” but literally nothing supports that. His only onscreen crime is creating a bunch of Pokémon that have powers that will mildly inconvenience people and can be persuaded to be nice over the course of 22 - 90 minutes, to say nothing of himself seeing as he decides to change his ways at the softest bit of persuasion.
Just as suddenly as it started, the unexpected downpour of rain has stopped. Wedged inside a small crevasse, you managed to shelter from the worst of it, but still, your clothing is soaked, sticking to your skin uncomfortably and chilling you to the bone. Not only that, but the crevasse is hardly big enough to fit the both of you, forcing you to press your bodies together snugly. At least Shea’s warm.
If they feel any sort of embarrassment at your close proximity, they do not show it on their face. They merely shift slightly, nodding to the world outside, signature frown on their face. “The rains have passed. We should move.”
You should. But their breath feels warm as it puffs against your face, the heat from their body deliciously warm, and for some reason, your stiff limbs won’t obey your commands. You know that moving will mean several more hours of gruelling work in cold conditions, tracking down the auspelesk that’s been causing trouble in this region. You know that Shea will go back to maintaining a careful distance between the two of you if you leave. Is it so bad to want a few more seconds to savour this moment?
Your eyes sweep their harsh features and you swallow, throat bobbing. You could’ve sworn that you saw a flicker of something in their eyes as your gazes met, their lips thinning slightly, the groove in their forehead deepening, but the moment is broken by an unholy screech erupting nearby, loud enough to make you wince. The two of you share a different kind of look, one of apprehension.
*twirling hair normally* im sooooo normal about this piece of media,,,, so soso normal,,,,, *begins whirring* sooooooooooooooooooooooo noooooooormaaaaaaaal
