Congrats to Ogre and everyone else who entered! I posted a detailed review on each of the games, but for anyone curious here's a quick summary of how I ranked the results:
12) Cold Lies: 2/8
Ehh. There’s no explanation for the situation the player finds themselves in, and the gameplay itself is fairly dull.
11) The Marchwarden: 3/8
After reading all the other entries, I have a greater appreciation for the efforts made towards branching in this game, when many of the others were so linear. That said, it still does not explore its concepts in much depth.
10) Bound by Light: 4/8
A solid concept that knows what it’s doing and then follows through. It’s too short and far too linear to do much more than this.
9) Knights of the Phoenix: 4/8
This has some really intriguing worldbuildling, but it’s far too linear to really qualify as a storygame. Better branching could easily make this 5/8.
8) Slay the Dragon: 4/8
Though the writing and concept is quite clever, this game is also incredibly linear and more of a short story than a game.
7) The Withered Rose: 4/8
A game with worldbuilding concepts that are fascinating, but introduced in a confusing way that prevents the reader from immersing themselves in the game. This game has a solid plot and premise, but the writing itself makes reading and understanding it feel like a chore.
6) The God-Clock: 5/8
The first half of this game was my favorite segment of the contest entries, with some really interesting and well-presented worldbuilding, but after that it devolves into a much more disjointed and rushed second half, with the other branches not even being completed. Interested to see the completed version.
Despite not ranking this one high myself, I'm pleased it tied for third. I really liked the first half and it shows a lot of promise.
5) A Knight’s Pursuit: 5/8
A solid, tight, game with a neat premise that is well executed with decent branching. Slightly on the linear side.
4) The King’s Music Box: 5/8
I really like what I see, I’m just not seeing a lot. The beginning is very engaging and fun, capturing a strong tone with strong characters, but it’s impossible to say whether or not there will be a satisfying payoff for the elements built up in the first half. I’ll watch for this story’s completion with interest.
3) The Most Amazing Life and Adventures of Sir Arthur Quillwyrm: 5/8
Would definitely have placed higher if it were finished. What writing actually exists is very well done, but the unfinished and highly linear nature of what was actually submitted prevents it from placing any better.
Deciding whether to place this game or The King’s Music Box higher was a really tough call. I ultimately went with this one because it has a full branch outlined start to finished, and I can be reasonably sure there will be a solid plot and writing. With the King’s Music Box it’s genuinely impossible to say what’s going to happen in the second half, so I don’t feel as comfortable judging it on its first half alone.
2) One Story Please: 6/8
Premise? Check. Execution? Check. Branching? Check. This game knows what it’s doing, and delivers on its promises, with a wide enough variety of endings and options to give the simple decision the story is based around a lot of replay value. It’s also completed, which boosted its score compared to the last two entries.
1) The Murdered Official: 6/8
A fine example of how to write a murder mystery cyoa. In addition to being a fun and engaging puzzle, this game stands well as a story of its own, with a well-developed setting and characters. A very well-rounded game (and protagonist, in more ways than one).
