He's a good writer. Unlike other author's stories, the MC here time and again is implied to be massively relevent to the story right from the start both in game and by FF as any MC should be, instead of being a side character and watching other characters be more of a MC or RO's flirting with each other while the MC stands aside like a cuck. (Im OBVIOUSLY not talking about certain IF's out there). As much as it would do him good to write KaE as a novel, i really want to read it as an IF. It has the potential to take the 'IF throne' if he locks in for the coming years.
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Stories that left you disappointed for a reason
- Thread starter Sant
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In his essay On Fairy-stories, J.R.R Tolkien emphasized that fantasy is a rational activity and does not insult or destroy reason. He wrote:
“Fantasy is a natural human activity. It certainly does not destroy or even insult Reason; and it does not either blunt the appetite for, nor obscure the perception of, scientific verity. On the contrary. The keener and the clearer is the reason, the better fantasy will it make”.
Tolkien also argued that creative fantasy is grounded in a recognition of reality, though not enslaved by it:
“For creative Fantasy is founded upon the hard recognition that things are so in the world as it appears under the sun; on a recognition of fact, but not a slavery to it”.
He further explained that successful fantasy requires an "inner consistency of reality," meaning that even in fantastical worlds, logic and coherence must prevail. This aligns closely with the idea that fantasy cannot disregard logic entirely—it must adhere to its own internal rules and truths to maintain credibility and engagement.
I noticed IF authors these days are more focused on side-stories locked for patreon-only, rather than their main story. And also, some of them have more than one project so their focus kinda divided, depending on their moods or inspiration (the only one I see who is still consistent while having lot of projects is CCHill but I'm more dissapointed because I'm waiting for a second book of some her old projects for who knows long because she always makes a new project). These actually only makes their previous project more prolonged and if they lost the moods, they kinda abandoned them (in hiatus mode) or rewrite them again from beginning.
Comparing to VN games, they also have patreon while in development but they still finish the game at least.
Edit: I'm realizing, is this because IF authors works alone? So they can do whatever they want with their project? Unlike VN, where you work with lots of people (arts, music, writer, editor, etc), so you have to be serious with the project and have to meet the deadline...
Comparing to VN games, they also have patreon while in development but they still finish the game at least.
Edit: I'm realizing, is this because IF authors works alone? So they can do whatever they want with their project? Unlike VN, where you work with lots of people (arts, music, writer, editor, etc), so you have to be serious with the project and have to meet the deadline...
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What are you all playing / reading lately? Whether it’s a VN or an IF.
It feels like most new IFs are either written by people who just discovered interactive fiction, would be better off writing a male gender-locked IF or a kinetic novel, or were inspired by a recent movie/anime and decided to make an IF based on it (I enjoy fanfiction, but they often come across as if they were written by teenagers, or maybe because they are written by teenagers). Meanwhile, older IFs either haven’t updated in a while, announce an upcoming update that keeps getting delayed, go through rewrites, don't back up and loose their writing or focus more on side content instead of progressing the main story.
As for VNs, the only ones getting consistent updates seem to be 14 DWY and Our Life: N & F, but even these aren’t free from drama. 14DWY has somehow been labeled a "gooner game" (I have no idea where that even came from). God forbid that anyone who isn’t a straight man enjoys some fan service—especially when there’s nothing even visual. Though, to be fair, some of the comments on its Itch page do scream "underage." The Kid at The Back dev decided to release it after development is finished, largely because, once again, people left comments about being unsettled by the yandere’s behavior—in a game that’s explicitly yandere. Even Our Life isn’t safe from controversy after the devs decided to stop episodic updates (tbh, I haven’t played in a while—just waiting until the characters grow up—so I still like checking for updates). Some VNs don’t hit the same because the interactive aspects feel so limited, and even then, they’re not safe from Patreon issues. Finished VNs also tend to be too short.
I went to play the new Lightweaver update, but having to restart again—especially after already replaying it due to DashingDon shutting down—feels exhausting. I don’t think I can go through it for the umpteenth time just to read a small update, especially when the author has already warned that saves might break in the next one. I don’t get why this hasn’t been fixed sooner or why no one is complaining about it. But no, instead of solving that, they’re prioritizing making a NEW separate (from cogdemos) hosting site for Patreon content, as if this is the whole point of hosted games.
It feels like most new IFs are either written by people who just discovered interactive fiction, would be better off writing a male gender-locked IF or a kinetic novel, or were inspired by a recent movie/anime and decided to make an IF based on it (I enjoy fanfiction, but they often come across as if they were written by teenagers, or maybe because they are written by teenagers). Meanwhile, older IFs either haven’t updated in a while, announce an upcoming update that keeps getting delayed, go through rewrites, don't back up and loose their writing or focus more on side content instead of progressing the main story.
As for VNs, the only ones getting consistent updates seem to be 14 DWY and Our Life: N & F, but even these aren’t free from drama. 14DWY has somehow been labeled a "gooner game" (I have no idea where that even came from). God forbid that anyone who isn’t a straight man enjoys some fan service—especially when there’s nothing even visual. Though, to be fair, some of the comments on its Itch page do scream "underage." The Kid at The Back dev decided to release it after development is finished, largely because, once again, people left comments about being unsettled by the yandere’s behavior—in a game that’s explicitly yandere. Even Our Life isn’t safe from controversy after the devs decided to stop episodic updates (tbh, I haven’t played in a while—just waiting until the characters grow up—so I still like checking for updates). Some VNs don’t hit the same because the interactive aspects feel so limited, and even then, they’re not safe from Patreon issues. Finished VNs also tend to be too short.
I went to play the new Lightweaver update, but having to restart again—especially after already replaying it due to DashingDon shutting down—feels exhausting. I don’t think I can go through it for the umpteenth time just to read a small update, especially when the author has already warned that saves might break in the next one. I don’t get why this hasn’t been fixed sooner or why no one is complaining about it. But no, instead of solving that, they’re prioritizing making a NEW separate (from cogdemos) hosting site for Patreon content, as if this is the whole point of hosted games.
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I'm curious, which newer IF’s made you feel like that?
I agree with you on the save thing, its annoying to have to constantly click through the whole game, especially if you click the wrong choice and then have to restart again, which I do all the damn time. Saves definitely need fixing.
We'll that's the problem actually. I haven't been reading any IFs as much as I used to actually. I don't know if it's just a me thing, but I feel like we've been experiencing IF droughts lately? No good games published from COG or HG lately. Well nothing that catches my eyes actually. I first joined this fandom during Covid. At the time Mind Blind, ITFO, SOH4, A Mage Reborn, and other big name IFs are still in active development. That's when I feel the community is most alive.
Looking at the upcoming games thread, there aren't as many titles being released as before either. Didn't we get like at least 1-2 games every month?
Even updates from patreons feel a bit slow lately. Most of them are just short stories or QnAs. Nothing that actually progresses the story further
That's the thing. Lately, authors have been putting more focus on side stories, QnAs and all that trivial stuff instead of actually updating the main story. Honestly it's getting dull, I mean, sure, side stories and what-ifs are nice, but that ain't the reason I'm here for, I want to read the whole damn story not some stupid snippets and kinky ABC ****.We'll that's the problem actually. I haven't been reading any IFs as much as I used to actually. I don't know if it's just a me thing, but I feel like we've been experiencing IF droughts lately? No good games published from COG or HG lately. Well nothing that catches my eyes actually. I first joined this fandom during Covid. At the time Mind Blind, ITFO, SOH4, A Mage Reborn, and other big name IFs are still in active development. That's when I feel the community is most alive.
Looking at the upcoming games thread, there aren't as many titles being released as before either. Didn't we get like at least 1-2 games every month?
Even updates from patreons feel a bit slow lately. Most of them are just short stories or QnAs. Nothing that actually progresses the story further
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VN
- I Was a Teenage Exocolonist (Don't see it mentioned much around here? It's really good.)
- Volcano Princess
- Long Live The Queen (New game sets in the same universe, Galaxy Princess Zorana, coming soon later this year.)
- Lust Odyssey (NSFW) (Goofy ahh writing, but weirdly PACKED worldbuilding and characters.)
- Love Lock (Poor writing, but it's got 50000000000 endings so it's been keeping me occupied.)
- Online Obsession (Demo, rather cute, but there ain't much.)
- Class of '09 (Bondocks for white people.)
IF
- The Princess Trap (NSFW)
- Play Things (NSFW, I'm not even into the kinks but the writing is surprisingly competent, almost read as a horror/thriller story.)
- One Knight Stand (The most reactive IF out there, still WIP but you can get so many hours out of it just exploring what's already there. Character customization that actually matters, right down to what you name your character. TONS of variables that the game actually remembers, one RO has like 6 different dynamics. Slept on, underrated, unfairly hated, I'll die on that hill. Earlier in this thread you'll see some people saying the game gets too much hype, but I believe it's well-deserved with how much thought's been put in to accomodate different playstyle. Does not suffer from that problem other games shave where the MC feels pre-determined or non-existent altogether.)
- Weeping Gods (WIP, Consistent update, funny, seems interesting so far.)
- Jolly Good: Tea and Scones (Demo, to be released, silly good fun, and the full game's gonna have a whopping 2 million words.)
- Mind Blind (WIP but it's got a good amount of content, funny, handles family drama better than many.)
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I really like how your choices matter in OKS, but its too campy for me
. I'm not that much of a comedy person.
I really like how your choices matter in OKS, but its too campy for me
Understandable haha, I like camp so it's right up my alley. I wish there were more games this detailed in all sorts of genres! In my experience, either there isn't much character customizartion (which is fair enough), or there's WAY too much, you doubt if it'll have any real impact in the long run. (Though that's being optimistic, they never get far enough for there to be a 'long run'. Cough cough, Zorlok, and whatever the hell Nine Blood Dances thinks it's doing.)
Yup, though I do have faith that The Six That Thrive may get finished. I really like that one and it's got extensive customization but the author is currently keeping the chapters on patreon. Its apparently up to chapter 5 now or something.
I'm of this opinion, I think I've become apathic recently to IF/VN like it's the same thing different day.We'll that's the problem actually. I haven't been reading any IFs as much as I used to actually. I don't know if it's just a me thing, but I feel like we've been experiencing IF droughts lately? No good games published from COG or HG lately. Well nothing that catches my eyes actually. I first joined this fandom during Covid. At the time Mind Blind, ITFO, SOH4, A Mage Reborn, and other big name IFs are still in active development. That's when I feel the community is most alive.
Looking at the upcoming games thread, there aren't as many titles being released as before either. Didn't we get like at least 1-2 games every month?
Even updates from patreons feel a bit slow lately. Most of them are just short stories or QnAs. Nothing that actually progresses the story further
New IF come up get popular maybe write a demo and a chapter then straight to Patreon to milk money out of fans for half done work. Or it's hiatus or it's ghosting. It's IF authors who you kinda want to give constructive criticism but no point because you'll just get a hate or "if you don't like it don't read it". Everything just seems nowadays half arsed tbh.
By all means I might be on the wrong IF but it's just frustrating seeing more all these questions ask on Tumblr making 5 new stories instead of just finishing one.
I know most people do work and have lives outside of the this but I'm just so tired of seeing an IF in it's 4/5 year and still be on like chapter 5, but oh come to my Patreon for more ****!.
VNS:
Andromeda Six: Unfinished with 2 more chapters to release. Chapter 9 should've released by now but the Devs put most of their resources on 2 pateron exclusive side stories, one of which is unreleased.
Infinite Stars: Unfinished but there's so much content to go through that you'll never run out, more choice heavy than most VNs or IFs
Killer Chat: Undergoing a rewrite, following process on Discord
Rose of Segunda/Thorns of War: Waiting for the incest route to come out on Thorns of War.
IFs:
Ultimate Magic Student: I genuinely like how it's not an isekai
Kingdoms and Empires: Peaked my interest as a fan of historical stuff and I like endless worldbuilding
Wayfarer: Episode 3 is never going to be released publicly at this rate and I say this as someone on this Discord server.
God-Cursed: It's ok.
The Bastard of Camelot
Life as Ruler: Nexus Island
POMA/Aura Clash and a bunch more because most IFs are only a chapter long.
Replays of released games (FH, Golden Rose, AMR, Keeper) waiting for the next books WIPs to be updated.
I almost always avoid new ones these days. I don't like the plot, or MC's role, or they're just poorly written or gender locked. I think a few years ago there were a lot more good quality WIPs with more interesting ideas and world building.
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Oh, here's an oldie but goodie - Choice of the Deathless (and the sequel, Deathless: The City's Thirst.)
In term of gameplay, there ain't much, rather unremarkable, but it's written so well. One of the most unique, distinct writing styles when it comes to Choicescript games. The prose stands out and doesn't have that samey feel of blunted down Choice of Game's house style. Lovely characters and worldbuilding, because it's set in the established universe of the Craft Sequence. (You don't need to read the novels to undertand it, but if you enjoy the game, then you'd like the novels too. Think urban fantasy, necromacny and legal drama.)
The author, Max Gladstone, is one of the authors behind This Is How You Lose the Time War. 12 years later and the writing still holds up. I cannot forget THAT love scene. Wakefield my beloved. I wish he'd make more games because I adore his writing style, but he's probably better off now.
In term of gameplay, there ain't much, rather unremarkable, but it's written so well. One of the most unique, distinct writing styles when it comes to Choicescript games. The prose stands out and doesn't have that samey feel of blunted down Choice of Game's house style. Lovely characters and worldbuilding, because it's set in the established universe of the Craft Sequence. (You don't need to read the novels to undertand it, but if you enjoy the game, then you'd like the novels too. Think urban fantasy, necromacny and legal drama.)
The author, Max Gladstone, is one of the authors behind This Is How You Lose the Time War. 12 years later and the writing still holds up. I cannot forget THAT love scene. Wakefield my beloved. I wish he'd make more games because I adore his writing style, but he's probably better off now.
Oooh! That's a good one! It's very memorable and despite being short, it's really enjoyable to read!
Anyway, since this is a thread for disappointing IF, I just came back from reading The Marked WIP and oh boy does it littered with fake choices that doesn't even correlate to the personality stats! These new authors don't seem to treat traumatizing events seriously! It's so f8cking frustrating to go through that when I read the new WIP Timeline 2: False Ancestry in all of its simplistic glory I fell in love right away (even if it's obviously written with male MC in mind and has lots of grammar mistakes). Feels like new IF authors are competing to make the most tortured MC just because, then UwU-fying the trauma (like in Lightweaver, how the other characters treat MC like a stray pup with all smiles and amusement and UwU and not a freaking human being who is obviously broken! It's disgusting) Aajenisiabwhd
Anyway, The Marked is stressful to read I can't even stand skimming through the whole thing. Despite all the over the top angst, at least SoH, Keeper series, and Fallen Hero are fun to read and the angst makes sense considering the world they live in and what's happen to them. Also, in those three IFs the MC acts like someone who's gone through real sh1tter and not some shoujo character with sparkly eyes and... I think I'm gonna puke, you get my point Imma leave now before I stain the carpet.
That's so true, lots of IFs reads the same for some reason, it's like they're being written by one entity.
Is anyone still following https://www.tumblr.com/haydenigmatic? This author is just ridiculous 
There hasn't been any major progress since 2023 (they didn't even manage to transfer the tiny demo that was there to Cog demos) but comes back every few months swearing that they will never abandon this project and that they are still working on it. The people Cog Forum and Tumblr are like "oh I'm so happy, can't wait to read it, take care of yourself and take your time" or talking about the details of the countless noble families and royal families from other countries. Wtf xDD This game basically doesn't exist.
There hasn't been any major progress since 2023 (they didn't even manage to transfer the tiny demo that was there to Cog demos) but comes back every few months swearing that they will never abandon this project and that they are still working on it. The people Cog Forum and Tumblr are like "oh I'm so happy, can't wait to read it, take care of yourself and take your time" or talking about the details of the countless noble families and royal families from other countries. Wtf xDD This game basically doesn't exist.
F8ck. No love lost though, sounds like another IF where we're stuck with a cast of smooth brained 4ssholes. Author should just close the Tumblr, isn't it a form of torture to give people hope only to take it away again and again? (´ー｀)Is anyone still following https://www.tumblr.com/haydenigmatic? This author is just ridiculous
There hasn't been any major progress since 2023 (they didn't even manage to transfer the tiny demo that was there to Cog demos) but comes back every few months swearing that they will never abandon this project and that they are still working on it. The people Cog Forum and Tumblr are like "oh I'm so happy, can't wait to read it, take care of yourself and take your time" or talking about the details of the countless noble families and royal families from other countries. Wtf xDD This game basically doesn't exist.
I haven't even heard of this till now.Is anyone still following https://www.tumblr.com/haydenigmatic? This author is just ridiculous
There hasn't been any major progress since 2023 (they didn't even manage to transfer the tiny demo that was there to Cog demos) but comes back every few months swearing that they will never abandon this project and that they are still working on it. The people Cog Forum and Tumblr are like "oh I'm so happy, can't wait to read it, take care of yourself and take your time" or talking about the details of the countless noble families and royal families from other countries. Wtf xDD This game basically doesn't exist.