Nevill
Arcane
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2009
- Messages
- 11,211
What's this about?
This thread, originally supposed to be an advice thread for CYOAs of note (those that are good or cleverly written, have an interesting premise/setting, etc), was expanded to serve as a CYOA database for both Codexian and external games. They are sorted by communities. If anyone finds something interesting that might be worth a read, please drop a link in the thread.
If there are not many topic on display, it's not because 'everything is shit', but because I simply do not have the time to read too many things. Send in your recommendations, and there will be more stuff to choose from.
Codexian CYOAs:
Non-codexian CYOAs:
I have to say, just two years back I didn't even know that such a form of entertainment existed. Sure, I've heard of CYOAs, the ones that they sell in book format, or the ones that make it to videogames. I've read visual novels that play very much the same. But those things are limited in scope, they are already pre-written, and while the story contained within may be good, you can never break from its confines and do something the author didn't account for. And since all paths in a game with pre-made choices need to be developed beforehand, rather than conjured on the fly, the scale of those adventures remains on the small-ish size. I never really gave it much thought... until I found something better.
I remember it was July 2013 when I stumbled upon the EPIC thread while browsing the forums on a vacation. By pure chance, too - I wasn't even a Codex regular back then, with only 2 posts to my name. I think I came here for some other highly recommended LP, though I can't even recall which one now.
And I was blown away.
The idea of guiding humanity through its early days into the space age through the eyes of not God, but a mortal, fascinated me. There was an entire Universe to explore, and players had full freedom over how to go about it. The amount of plots piled upon plots that all ran independently from each other, no matter if we decided to take a part in them or not, created an illusion of a living, breathing world. It was the same kind of magic that one of my favored games, Space Rangers, managed to capture, yet on a much, much greater scale. And the snippets of the paths not taken only served to further the impression that the entirety of the world was much deeper that the part the players could interact with.
Needless to say, that vacation went by fast. I soon discovered there were others, both in progress and complete. The Barbarian's LP, root's Warhammer fics, Legend... A few LPs and thousands of posts later, I found that I am a hopeless junkie for this stuff. As the well started to dry out, I turned my attention to the Internet in search of similar things, thinking that I somehow missed this kind of games before...
...to find none.
Maybe they aren't called CYOAs outside of this forum. Maybe I am searching in the wrong places. But most things that go by that name are pre-written, and are rather shallow in comparison. There is no feeling of 'open world', of reading a book that at the same time you are helping to write - only without actually having a knack for writing. I know I can grab a few guys and have an RPG session instead, but that's not quite the same.
So, are there things like that elsewhere? And where should I look for them? Can anyone recommend some authors or the places they frequent?
I remember it was July 2013 when I stumbled upon the EPIC thread while browsing the forums on a vacation. By pure chance, too - I wasn't even a Codex regular back then, with only 2 posts to my name. I think I came here for some other highly recommended LP, though I can't even recall which one now.
And I was blown away.
The idea of guiding humanity through its early days into the space age through the eyes of not God, but a mortal, fascinated me. There was an entire Universe to explore, and players had full freedom over how to go about it. The amount of plots piled upon plots that all ran independently from each other, no matter if we decided to take a part in them or not, created an illusion of a living, breathing world. It was the same kind of magic that one of my favored games, Space Rangers, managed to capture, yet on a much, much greater scale. And the snippets of the paths not taken only served to further the impression that the entirety of the world was much deeper that the part the players could interact with.
Needless to say, that vacation went by fast. I soon discovered there were others, both in progress and complete. The Barbarian's LP, root's Warhammer fics, Legend... A few LPs and thousands of posts later, I found that I am a hopeless junkie for this stuff. As the well started to dry out, I turned my attention to the Internet in search of similar things, thinking that I somehow missed this kind of games before...
...to find none.
Maybe they aren't called CYOAs outside of this forum. Maybe I am searching in the wrong places. But most things that go by that name are pre-written, and are rather shallow in comparison. There is no feeling of 'open world', of reading a book that at the same time you are helping to write - only without actually having a knack for writing. I know I can grab a few guys and have an RPG session instead, but that's not quite the same.
So, are there things like that elsewhere? And where should I look for them? Can anyone recommend some authors or the places they frequent?
If there are not many topic on display, it's not because 'everything is shit', but because I simply do not have the time to read too many things. Send in your recommendations, and there will be more stuff to choose from.
Codexian CYOAs:
ONGOING:
Codexian Play-by-Post Swords & Wizardry Game by nikolokolus
Overlord by treave (Read with CYOA Press)
The Ruinous Powers [WH40K] by Cheesecake
CYOA Press by Denim Demon - useful reading tool
EPIC by treave (Read Book I and Book II with CYOA Press)
Legend by treave (Read with CYOA Press)
Lovecraft - Terror In The Crags by grotsnik
Riftwalker by Hellraiser
Spiral by treave
Test-Run (Multiplayer) by treave (Read with CYOA Press)
The Codexian Saga by The Barbarian (Read with CYOA Press)
The Emperor's Finest [WH40K] by root
Vampire: The Masquerade: Wild Nights [VtM] by grotsnik
Warhammer 41K [WHK] by root (Read with CYOA Press)
Legend by treave (Read with CYOA Press)
Lovecraft - Terror In The Crags by grotsnik
Riftwalker by Hellraiser
Spiral by treave
Test-Run (Multiplayer) by treave (Read with CYOA Press)
The Codexian Saga by The Barbarian (Read with CYOA Press)
The Emperor's Finest [WH40K] by root
Vampire: The Masquerade: Wild Nights [VtM] by grotsnik
Warhammer 41K [WHK] by root (Read with CYOA Press)
Choose your path to greatness, obscurity or death by Vernydar
Cloud is Dead [Final Fantasy VII] by Random
CYOA Circlejerk Round-Robin - Currently Showing: The Adventures of Baron Von Schwarznatter by CYOA celebrities
Detention Delving by Cheesecake
Dirge by root
Europareich 2057 by Hellraiser
Journey to the Centre of Arcanum [Arcanum] by ironyuri
Known World - Dead Gods hear no pray by Karwelas
Lordship: A Suggestion Game by Gobblecock
Myth - A New Age by Fangshi [Myth] (Read with CYOA Press) - a brief description
On The Shoulders of Giants by Curufinwe
REDACTED [WH40K] by root
Star Saga 1: Beyond The Boundary by Crooked Bee
The Devil's Due: The Mongolian Horde by Major_Blackhart
The Hyborian Age [Conan] by Kz3r0
The Redsea Saga by The Barbarian
Vampire: The Masquerade II: Night Empire [VtM] by grotsnik
Wulfen's Chronicles by Kz3r0
Cloud is Dead [Final Fantasy VII] by Random
CYOA Circlejerk Round-Robin - Currently Showing: The Adventures of Baron Von Schwarznatter by CYOA celebrities
Detention Delving by Cheesecake
Dirge by root
Europareich 2057 by Hellraiser
Journey to the Centre of Arcanum [Arcanum] by ironyuri
Known World - Dead Gods hear no pray by Karwelas
Lordship: A Suggestion Game by Gobblecock
Myth - A New Age by Fangshi [Myth] (Read with CYOA Press) - a brief description
On The Shoulders of Giants by Curufinwe
REDACTED [WH40K] by root
Star Saga 1: Beyond The Boundary by Crooked Bee
The Devil's Due: The Mongolian Horde by Major_Blackhart
The Hyborian Age [Conan] by Kz3r0
The Redsea Saga by The Barbarian
Vampire: The Masquerade II: Night Empire [VtM] by grotsnik
Wulfen's Chronicles by Kz3r0
Dark Heresy: Against Hope by Korgan
Fabled Lands by Jaime Lannister
Let's Catch Jack the Ripper by grotsnik
The Last Article by WetWorks
Fabled Lands by Jaime Lannister
Let's Catch Jack the Ripper by grotsnik
The Last Article by WetWorks
Post-War of the Worlds IF by Cassidy (currently pulled from the 'Dex)
Prisoner of Life by Cassidy (currently pulled from the 'Dex)
Prisoner of Life by Cassidy (currently pulled from the 'Dex)
ONGOING
Something Awful Forums:
You have 001 Goblins by BoldFrankensteinMir - screenshot
Sufficient Velocity Forums:
Alchemical Solutions [Exalted/Worm] by Gromweld - a brief description
A Hedge Maze is You by Chandagnac - you are a God of hedge mazes in a setting that is vaguely inspired by Ancient Greek mythology
Into the Amber Age by Academia Nut - Intro
Panopticon Quest [oWoD] by MJ12 Commando - a brief description - a game of Posthumans, Perniciousness, Paranoia, Politics, and Plasmaguns
Questionably Soteriological: A Puzzle/Mystery Quest with Kids, Science, and Fun! - an adventure game in an old-school style
Shadowrun: Imugi [Shadowrun] by TenfoldShields - you find out you are actually a Drake, now deal with it
Shapers of the Apocalypse by Academia Nut - Intro
Snowflake: A Quest For True Sorcery by Omicron - a brief description - you are a mage looking for Ultimate Power in an urban fantasy
The Gardens of Enoch: Terrascape Academy by Rihaku - a brief description - asshole mages rule the world
Uncle Grubb's Mysterious Mansion by JMHthe3rd - a brief description - lore-heavy mystery CYOA
You're A Dungeon Final Boss! by Novus Ordo Mundi - a brief description - Dungeon Keeper meets Overlord (the game, not CYOA)
Wellspring Saga by TotalAbsolutism - a brief description - ever heard of Dresden Files? Imagine Shaman Kings running on it.
Spacebattles Forums:
Hunter The Vigil: Deep Shadows [WoD] by AshenFox - Intro
Mercenary ambitions [DC] by homeraven - Intro
Ork Overlord Quest [WH40K] by Red Flag - Intro
COMPLETED
1d4 chan:
The Lost Future - description
Penny Arcade Forums:
Space Australia by Abdhyius - a brief description
Choose Your Story:
Death Song by EndMaster - a brief description
Eternal by EndMaster - a brief description
Ground Zero by EndMaster - a brief description
Necromancer by EndMaster - a brief description
Repression by EndMaster - a brief description
The Writing of Cloud Buchholz:
Seven Bullets by Cloud Buchholz - a brief description
LIKELY ABANDONED
Sufficient Velocity Forums:
Ascalon: Bullshit Monsters are Real, and Now They're Your Problem! by Novus Ordo Mundi - a brief description - mercenaries vs horrors
It Got Worse: A Refugee Quest by Crilltic - you are an engineer on a spaceship full of crazy
RETREAT: a dirt-low fantasy tale of fear and survival by Bromeliad - a short illustrated tale inspired by Black Company
Welcome To Shalebrook [Zombie Apoc. Quest] by Myrrn - Zombie Apocalypse as it is
Sufficient Velocity Forums:
Ascalon: Bullshit Monsters are Real, and Now They're Your Problem! by Novus Ordo Mundi - a brief description - mercenaries vs horrors
It Got Worse: A Refugee Quest by Crilltic - you are an engineer on a spaceship full of crazy
RETREAT: a dirt-low fantasy tale of fear and survival by Bromeliad - a short illustrated tale inspired by Black Company
Welcome To Shalebrook [Zombie Apoc. Quest] by Myrrn - Zombie Apocalypse as it is
ABANDONED
Sufficient Velocity Forums:
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost - A Dúnedain Quest [LotR] by Telamon - a brief description
Spacebattles Forums:
Titan Quest by Fancy Face - a brief description
Bay 12 Games Forums:
Lordship: A Suggestion Game by Maldevious - a brief description
Sufficient Velocity Forums:
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost - A Dúnedain Quest [LotR] by Telamon - a brief description
Spacebattles Forums:
Titan Quest by Fancy Face - a brief description
Bay 12 Games Forums:
Lordship: A Suggestion Game by Maldevious - a brief description
Sufficient Velocity:
---
X-COM: Remnant [RWBY/X-COM] by Imagination - There is not much to say for now it have just 17 pages. Game mechanic till now captures the X-com people will die feeling surprisingly well. Exalt, X-com, Aliens and Grim battle for dominion over planet.
---
A hero that was promised [Zelda/ASoIaF] by Paloswag - Link added to Game of Thrones universe. How will it change the fate of this world? Writing style is good and enjoyable to read.
Spacebattles:
---
As a noble you should fight with honour, strive to aid weak and be polite to all ladies.
That is why you are not very polite, use chairs on people crossing you and rising mob to dogpile all suckers.
Well what did you expected from The story of peasant?
You thought that being noble was hard? That was easy mode. This is real deal.
Warhammer fantasy.
---
Business at the Ocean Floor [Bioshock] by Wizzrobe - Bioshock Economic Empire Quest. Arriving as one of first inhabitants of city you as many other people trying to change dreams into future in rapture. Will your robots sell? Will your business enterprise change future of city? How much can one good man with vision achieve? (Personal favourite. I really like the idea to play as one of inhabitants before fall)
---
X-COM: Remnant [RWBY/X-COM] by Imagination - There is not much to say for now it have just 17 pages. Game mechanic till now captures the X-com people will die feeling surprisingly well. Exalt, X-com, Aliens and Grim battle for dominion over planet.
---
A hero that was promised [Zelda/ASoIaF] by Paloswag - Link added to Game of Thrones universe. How will it change the fate of this world? Writing style is good and enjoyable to read.
Spacebattles:
---
As a noble you should fight with honour, strive to aid weak and be polite to all ladies.
That is why you are not very polite, use chairs on people crossing you and rising mob to dogpile all suckers.
Well what did you expected from The story of peasant?
You thought that being noble was hard? That was easy mode. This is real deal.
Warhammer fantasy.
---
Business at the Ocean Floor [Bioshock] by Wizzrobe - Bioshock Economic Empire Quest. Arriving as one of first inhabitants of city you as many other people trying to change dreams into future in rapture. Will your robots sell? Will your business enterprise change future of city? How much can one good man with vision achieve? (Personal favourite. I really like the idea to play as one of inhabitants before fall)
Sufficient Velocity:
Glory or Death: Chapter Master Quest [WHK40K] by Swordomatic
Hyperdimension Rising by Swordomatic
From the Brink : Blood Ravens Quest [WHK40K] by torroar - (as well as other quests by that author)
Shepard Quest [ME] by Hoyr
Anderson Quest: Killing Vampires and Werewolves and Leprechauns by Tricia - Hellsing/Bloodborne
Glory or Death: Chapter Master Quest [WHK40K] by Swordomatic
Hyperdimension Rising by Swordomatic
From the Brink : Blood Ravens Quest [WHK40K] by torroar - (as well as other quests by that author)
Shepard Quest [ME] by Hoyr
Anderson Quest: Killing Vampires and Werewolves and Leprechauns by Tricia - Hellsing/Bloodborne
AI Quest (Evangelion) [NGE] by undead frog - description
Souls Tale [Dark Souls/Undertale] by Shintouyu - description
Embers in the Dusk: A Planetary Governor Quest [WHK43K] by Durin - description
Gendo Ikari Raising Project [NGE] by Foiurth Wall - description
Digital Reebot [Digimon] by Noka - a brief description
Magic Knight Quest by PrinceArjuna - description of the mechanics - JRPG/Persona/harem
In the Beginning, There Was Man [AKA: Omake-Quest! AKA: 40k Warp God Waifu Simulator] [WH40K/SC] by torrmercury - extra-heretical
Searching for Purpose (Clarketech Killbot Multicross) [NGE] by ellipsis - a brief description
A Cooler Broly Saga [DBZ] - a brief description
Metal Gear Solid: The Price of Freedom Quest [MGS] by Dreamland - a brief description
From Exclusion to Fantastic Zones [STALKER/Gate] by Qwaar - a brief description
Gooing through the motions by wkz - a brief description
My Kingdom, Forgotten [Final Fantasy/Fire Emblem] by Dreamland - a brief description
Decepticon Expedition Quest by Happerry - a brief description
We aren't the Ethereals we swear! [X-COM] by undead frog - a brief description
The Last Knight [Digimon] by Talos - a brief description
Loyalty's blade [Digimon] by Talos - a brief description
Souls Tale [Dark Souls/Undertale] by Shintouyu - description
Embers in the Dusk: A Planetary Governor Quest [WHK43K] by Durin - description
Gendo Ikari Raising Project [NGE] by Foiurth Wall - description
Digital Reebot [Digimon] by Noka - a brief description
Magic Knight Quest by PrinceArjuna - description of the mechanics - JRPG/Persona/harem
In the Beginning, There Was Man [AKA: Omake-Quest! AKA: 40k Warp God Waifu Simulator] [WH40K/SC] by torrmercury - extra-heretical
Searching for Purpose (Clarketech Killbot Multicross) [NGE] by ellipsis - a brief description
A Cooler Broly Saga [DBZ] - a brief description
Metal Gear Solid: The Price of Freedom Quest [MGS] by Dreamland - a brief description
From Exclusion to Fantastic Zones [STALKER/Gate] by Qwaar - a brief description
Gooing through the motions by wkz - a brief description
My Kingdom, Forgotten [Final Fantasy/Fire Emblem] by Dreamland - a brief description
Decepticon Expedition Quest by Happerry - a brief description
We aren't the Ethereals we swear! [X-COM] by undead frog - a brief description
The Last Knight [Digimon] by Talos - a brief description
Loyalty's blade [Digimon] by Talos - a brief description
Sufficient Velocity:
Decent but really short like not a full page of updates.
https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/they-called-me-mad-mad-scientist-quest.13779/
One of his settings where he keeps coming back to his own little mini verse and this is the prequel? To all the others the people keep referring to an earlier one i read which is next.
https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/exalted-most-high.15728/
The comes after above but before in real time so written first, there is meant to be one before this but i cannot find that for the life of me.
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/the-odyssey-exalted.257551/
Spacebattles:
Bleach quest fun actually goes for pretty long but ends without a resolution like so many of these.
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/bleach-quest.283181/
Fate zero magus quest was decent but again.....no proper ending.
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/magus-quest-fate-zero.252799/
XI Primarch 30k Quest - description
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/the-xi-primarch-wh30k-quest.389276/
Decent but really short like not a full page of updates.
https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/they-called-me-mad-mad-scientist-quest.13779/
One of his settings where he keeps coming back to his own little mini verse and this is the prequel? To all the others the people keep referring to an earlier one i read which is next.
https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/exalted-most-high.15728/
The comes after above but before in real time so written first, there is meant to be one before this but i cannot find that for the life of me.
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/the-odyssey-exalted.257551/
Spacebattles:
Bleach quest fun actually goes for pretty long but ends without a resolution like so many of these.
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/bleach-quest.283181/
Fate zero magus quest was decent but again.....no proper ending.
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/magus-quest-fate-zero.252799/
XI Primarch 30k Quest - description
https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/the-xi-primarch-wh30k-quest.389276/
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