Changeling Charade

*I played this game in the Heart's Choice omnibus app* Every now and then there's a game that challenges me as a reviewer. Not because I don't know my own mind or I can't think of anything interesting to say, or because it's so bad the review threatens to descend into pure mockery. I'm talking about the kind of game that makes me want to shout from the rooftops and squee like a fangirl about how good it is and how everyone should play it, aspirations of critical professionalism be damned. I'm talking about games like Ruth Vincent's Changeling Charade. So, in the interests of balance, let me begin by saying that there are a few typos that slipped by copyedit, and the (otherwise perfect) ending I got felt a bit too rushed. Now let me tell you what an unstinting joy this game is. In Changeling Charade, you're a young female fairy living in the city of New Victoria, a charming expy of Victorian London. (The river Thyme flows through the middle, there's a deplorable prison called Old G...

When I started this I was a bit ambivalent as some of the story hooks appeared to be too obvious. However the story is a good one and while I have only gone down one route, I can see that there are plenty of other choices I could have taken that would make quite a difference to the progress of the plot and the outcome. You play as a fairy changeling in a world where to be different is almost like a slow death as you cannot work, your environment is toxic and mainstream society looks down on you. Whether you want to see this as a malignant blight on 21st century society, a parable about the disastrous effects of Victorian colonialism or simply as a romantic fairy tale is up to you; my choices so far would hold up under all three interpretations, and the protagonist's reactions and choices she faces are realistic. The protagonist herself can be as sympathetic or as mischievous as you want and upholds most of the characteristics we hope to see in ourselves. Its a pleasant way to pass a c...

I loved this game, and the few minor flaws I found, such as being able to win and lose a painting competition at once, as well as a few occasions where the story forgets something, weren’t able to detract from the compelling narrative and interesting characters. (9/10)

Kit Larkin! Hands down! (It's my character's choice so shhh!) Why bother choosing some fine, rich suitors? When you can have a scandal with an artist or perhaps another fairy of your liking? Why bother overthrowing the Act and actually getting the "bad guy" caught when you can have your engagement/love making scenes? Guess what? Those questions are actually how the other people played the game. Really. Because the "hardest" Achievements? Are those where you make things better for the Supernaturals or get the "bad guy" caught. Lmao. It was clearly obvious what everyone was here for. Do I know how to get those Achievements? PFFT! Of course not! Will I figure it out? No. Why bother? I'd rather live in small, beach side cottage FAR, FAR away from that society with my love interest. I *almost* got one of the rare Achievements... But I mistakenly put my trust into these insipid aristocrats and stupid games. So no. Those are the only endings. Go play your pretend games...

Highly recommended. Although perhaps a shade on the short sight, this story has a wonderful concept and is exquisitely written. The main underlying plot line is interesting, and the characters are varied and have some real depth. The romance scenes are genuinely beautiful, and I've loved it enough to play it through again and again. I look forward to more from this author.

Good

[i]Changeling Charade[/i] is a text adventure, similar to the old Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books. However, while the old game books relied mostly on the gimmick of being able to choose different paths, in this case the writing quality is good enough to rival traditional novels. The story is set in the city of New Victoria, which is a pseudo-Victorian era London where magic exists, but is illegal. Your character is a fairy who is hired to impersonate a wealthy young lady while she runs off with her unsuitable lover. I enjoyed this game as the set-up gives you immediate high stakes to play for. The setting has just enough detail to be evocative, but is simple enough that it doesn't require a glossary just to understand the basics that a character from this world would understand. This game is billed as a romance, and there are four options for potential suitors to pursue. However, you can also become involved in politics, intrigue, and revolution which allows for more varied g...