Player Comments on The Gods are Angered

- - Quick Review- -
This was a fun storygame. That sounds so simple and plain, but it’s the best way to describe it. I got to make almost every decision there was to make in it! It really put the “game” in “storygame”. I would definitely recommend, especially if you don’t want to read every branch and just want to play the storygame. Such an underrated story.

THERE WILL BE SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT

- - Beginning Highlights - -
I’ll start with highlights for the beginning before the quests. Right from the very start, this story is loaded with choices; and every single choice makes an impact, whether it’s immediate and will loop you back to the same path or if it’ll change something just a bit in the long run (or both). It is was apparent that the author was excited about and cared for this story. As I said before, I got to
make almost every decision, and could even quickly find my demise by making some stupid decisions. I cannot stress enough how much it adds to a story to let the reader make stupid decisions that get them to an end game link; they make it more realistic and fun, and they show that the author isn’t being lazy.

The author did a fantastic job of setting up the characters, the situation, the task at hand, and the beginning setting. I love the way the messengers are depicted, and characterizations are described indirectly (most of the time), which is one of the things I love about Fresh’s writing style.

- - David & Goliath Highlights - -
First off, it was funny that just talking it out with Goliath was an option. That was funny, even if it wasn’t a long path. That’s the thing about this story: you can tell the author understands that every choice doesn’t have to be a whole individual 20 or so page story; just adding the option was enough.

I liked the hunger games quote, and that the mc realized that no one would understand it. It made me laugh out loud when king Saul decided that a “really good feeling” was enough reason to send a shepherd boy to fight a giant. Comedy gold, nice touch.

I loved how many choices there were in how to fight Goliath. I got to choose my weapon, whether or not to train, and how to fight. It was obviously not very much work to do, but it just showed that the author really wanted the reader to enjoy and feel in control of the story.

I also liked how doing exactly as David did does not work; showing that without the gods’ help you have to find your own way. Another thing was the page where there were two “throw another rock” links and one led to an end game link and the other kept going; creatively depicting the true luck of the situation.

Some of the choices on how to fight Goliath surprised me by actually working. I do like there are roundabout ways, such as in one path where you try to strangle Goliath and you die but your brothers kill him, thus making you succeed.

Speaking of brothers, I love the scene where I (as David) get to see my big brother get all worked up about me going to fight Goliath. The author did a super nice job throughout the whole story of building connection to characters instead of them being just another prop for the plot.

- - Daedalus and Icarus Highlights - -
I personally love this myth, so I was excited to see how this task would go. I’ll get into the alternative to this task at a later time.

First off, I love the way Icarus is characterized. The author built genuine emotion between me and a character who’s only around for one task, which is very impressive. I felt genuine sadness in the branches where he died. Speaking of him dying, I saw again that in this branch it wasn’t about whether or not I lived, it was escaping and ensuring Icarus did. I liked that kind of thing for this story, because it shows not only the true purpose behind the characters in the original tales, but that the gods want me to serve the greater good and be selfless, which is the mc’s life purpose by the time the story begins.

The difficulty in this task was nice. It wasn’t impossible, but it wasn’t obvious which choice would lead you to succeed; there were many different ways to accomplish the task.

It’s also worth noting that the ending where I owed Zeus three souls and I collect the third one from the narrator was super funny and creative.

- - Saving Inanna Highlights - -
In the third task it was intriguing that I got to see the woman I’d be rescuing in an exciting little preview type bit. Made me curious and excited for the next task.

“Bard of Death” and “Death of Bard”. Laughing my ass off.

That task was a bit more difficult. It was funny and clever the way the author showed marching over the mountain.

American Pie was an interesting choice of song, and I think it characterizes the mc well that they would choose that song. “That tracks” was the first thing that came to my mind when I read it, then of course the song being stuck in my head…

Again, so many options. It will never cease to impress me or make me so happy.

- - Other Tasks Highlights - -

I had less to say about these tasks so I wrapped them into one section.

Task four was an interesting choice for a task, certainly less of a popular myth (in my opinion). It was also fun to have a bit of a change in setup for the quest, as I sort of stepped into Isis’ body instead of just being in it and I got a little guidance. Plus it felt like I was actually doing the original character a favor instead of just showing how well I would do in that task.

Before/as a part of task five there was a peculiar little to drink or not to drink bit. I found this entertaining and amusing, and it was a nice lead-in into yet another quest. Task five itself was kind of funky; I liked that there was an easy way and a way that was a bit harder, making the reader use their brain.

Task six was short and simple, yet one of the best to include in my opinion. It was smart of the author to put in a quiz, a fun way for the reader to show they are invested and have been paying attention. I also liked that it wasn’t the very last task; always nice to end with a more exciting one than a simple quiz, and due to the seventh task being what it is it was necessary for the quiz to be sixth.

The seventh task was hilarious!!! I loved it. While there was an earlier ending that would’ve led to a similar ending (“write a storygame fag”) this one was the best. Inspiring readers of the story to write their own game was fun (though now I feel pressured by the murderous penguin!).

- - General Highlights - -
As I said before, every choice had an impact then or later in the storygame. The amount of time and work that must’ve taken is admirable; I tip my hat to you, Fresh.

Only very particular paths had two options for it, but I liked the part where Dolos offered me a way out of the second task. In my opinion “Hell yeah” should’ve been an option no matter how you had gotten to that point, but it made a bit of sense the way it was. Also, damn Dolos is crazy.

I loved the idea that I didn’t just become the character in the original story by being put into their body. I didn’t naturally know how to throw rocks, I didn’t know how to make wings with feathers, etc. Also the idea that the gods were against me in every task, so I had to find my own way through them. I loved this feature, it made the storygame feel more real and not just an “Oh you know the story you know how to win” situation.

- - It’s funny how the word “Flawless” has a flaw in it - -

I have very few problems with this story.

There are some typing errors and grammar issues, but in my opinion they didn’t impact the quality of the story, and I probably wouldn’t have noticed them if I wasn’t hyper-analyzing the whole thing.

I wish there were all 12 Herculean tasks, but it makes sense why there are seven and it didn’t really feel incomplete.

Some of the pages seemed to drag a little bit— just ongoing descriptions that were fairly irrelevant. There were very few of these, but it felt worth mentioning.

It made me sad that the last four tasks were so short. I would’ve liked to see a bit more fluffing for those; it just felt like they didn’t get as much love as the first three. Which, I understand as this story was a contest entry and time was a factor.

- - Final Thoughts - -
I absolutely loved this story. I highly recommend reading, it is so much fun especially if you’re normal and just play the storygame. Very enjoyable, exciting, and it feels like you’re in control the whole way. Incredible story Fresh, definitely deserves more love and is SEVERELY underrated.

Well, this story definitely stands out as one that’s very different from all the rest. Instead of taking one story and running with it, it’s an episodic exploration of several different religious stories. Overall, it was fun if a little disjointed at times

The main thing that was a big plus to this story was the fact that it made itself fun. As it is more of an episodic kind of adventure, the reader isn’t invested in the characters enough for it to pull off being serious. The story does well in riding the line between tastefully silly and outright ridiculous while still telling the stories. I can certainly say that I know a little more about Sumerian mythology than I did before I read it.

SPOILERS AHEAD.

As Yummyfood hinted before I reviewed, using the same method to kill Goliath that David did in the Bible didn’t work. At first, this kind of annoyed me as well, because I was thinking of it as a kind of quiz to test my knowledge. As the stories went on though, a pattern emerged. It was not about repeating the methods of others, but of accomplishing the same task without the good graces of the gods. This theme probably wasn’t presented in a clear enough way in all if them, but I enjoyed the idea nonetheless.

The story game was quite unpolished though. There are several typos throughout. The most egregious I found would have to be calling the Philistines Philippines. While several Pacific islands fighting Israel is hilarious, it would probably have been better fixed.

There’s also the issue that most of the end descriptions are just the same thing. I get the idea, but even just having the “cloaked figure” offer some commentary on whatever specific stupid thing you just did would have made the story much more entertaining.

Another issue is whoever the narrator is. It’s not described anywhere I can find, but every once in a while, the protagonist comes home and the narrator directly interacts with them. It seems like that might be an important relationship to establish.

The last critique I have is the fact that most of the characters, but most notably the protagonist don’t get much characterization. I know that this story was likely rushed at least a little, so a little time might have fixed it, but some personality in the characters would help it out.

I did very much enjoy the “true ending,” and the idea that if I don’t write, people will die. My favorite ending by far wad the Bard of Death, and the Bard of Death or Death of Bard choice made me laugh aloud which is a Herculean task in and of itself.

I look forward to this author’s future work and development.

I really, really liked this game. It's fun and humorous, while still being in-depth and detailed.

Oh yeah, an aside, turns out Hades is also a synonym for the Greek Underworld, so I withdraw my previous comment on that!

Oh yeah, as an side, more people should read the story, so it can get properly rated!

Haha, the ending tho, you got me so excited what God it would be and left me hanging out there. Oh yeah, one little inaccuracy was perhaps what angry Athena says to you "Rot in Hades." Yeahhh, I think you meant "Rot in the Tartaros." Hades is the God of the Underworld, not a place.

I did like what you got going on there with the different myths that clash with the modern sensibilities of the protagonist. The funniest was I guess David and Goliath with the stone.

I think the weakest part of the story is that we spent so little time in each myth that I felt that I've seen a lot, but not a lot stuck with me or was very memorable. In short, okay at everything, master of none. This lack of caring about the individual myths was probably very evident in my performance with Athena's quiz, poor lady got very angry at me.

It's a fun little story. I like all of the failing upwards the protagonist can do to achieve the goal of a mission at times. It certainly keeps an entertaining pace throughout its beginning to the very last page. There's also some degree of wit and cunning the player will have to employ at times to proceed as well, or at times they can take an easy way out. But where is the fun in doing something like that in a story like this?

Overall, not a bad read by any means.

Great story with a super unique concept, combining many different religions into a single tale. Amazing especially for a first CYOS

Not bad! Pretty good for a first storygame.

For a gauntlet style game, I enjoyed that a lot of effort was put into each task/episode. Also, I liked the bodystealing concept for the game, where the MC is still the MC, but that they have to play other characters such as biblical David or Daedalus.

However, I really did not get a connection with the MC, so perhaps a little more development of the main character before they begin the tasks would have been good.

Overall, I enjoyed it.

It's ok. I am a but confused though. Minor spoiler but I kind of figured you would have to kill goliath like david did but it failed. Oh well.