Some of the earliest games were text-based ones like Zork, where you were largely free to choose your own adventure (i.e. go left up the cliff face and face the ogre or continue down the forest road and encounter bandits). We can look back and critique the linear story lines but for it's time it was quite the achievement, we're simply spoiled now.

I've become closer and closer to the roleplaying genre, most notably the "choices matter" search tab. While I'm still enamored with strategy titles and still have a blast playing irreverent action games like GTA and Saints' Row, there's nothing that beats the immersion and feedback of a game that only acknowledges your actions but forces you to accept the consequences. We're not here to talk about triple A titles however.

Within the past couple years, having searched extensively for games that satisfied my need for character creation and meaningful choices that impacted the narrative, I came across a game called "Choice of Robots" on Steam. I was quite surprised to see that it was a completely, text based game "fueled by the power of your imagination" as the Choice of Games (CoG) tag often reads. Whatever doubts I had about making the purchase were quickly dissipated by the litany of glowing reviews.

I purchased the game and played through it nearly a dozen times. I haven't looked back since.

Choice of Games is split into two camps: Choice of Games and Hosted Games. I'm not quite sure how to articulate the difference between the two complementary factions, but you'll find gems in either one, making the distinction moot in my mind. There are fantasy, sci-fi, romance, political intrigue, and they even recently published a baseball themed game so you're sure to find something to your liking. Moreover, they allow you to try your hand at making your own works of interactive fiction through their Choicescript coding system. I've yet to try it myself but many authors in the forums claim that it isn't too terribly to learn.

Perhaps what is most impressive about the company and they work they publish is their commitment to inclusion and social justice. The vast majority of games allow you to play as whatever gender identity and orientation you like, making sure to include often overlooked identities such as non-binary or asexual. The community is strong and very supportive, with readers and authors interacting closely to ensure that the work is the best it can be. I'm constantly impressed by conscientious authors who take the time to consult their readers to ensure that underrepresented identities such as non-binary, asexual, and transgender characters are represented fairly and accurately.

I've lost count of how many CoG games I've purchased and I'm currently helping to Beta test a handful before they're submitted for publication. The concept may make you leery at first, especially if your ocular senses have grown spoiled from the classic gaming experience but if you like immersive narrative experiences that honor your character's choices, then you won't go wrong with these choose your own adventure titles.

You can find Choice of Games titles on their website as well as on various platforms like the App Store, Google Play, and on Steam. I thought that I would recommend purchasing them from the site as the prices tend to be slightly lower.