A Squire's Tale

I was really excited to see this when it came out and I bought it immediately. The premise seemed interesting and fantastical. After playing two routes, I hate to say it, but I'm not really happy with this game. If you're looking for an okay casual game to pass the time, this is fine. But the description promises a lot of intriguing things and it had a lot of potential for more. Sadly, there's just so little time to develop any meaningful skills. So little time to spend with any of the characters, they feel shallow and 2D. So many times where no matter what choices I made, it led to the same linear path. In some instances, there ARE minor side branches, but they just lead right back to that path. I tore my hair out when I thought I made a bad decision at certain parts (and would have to pay for it), only to replay multiple times trying out different choices to get the same exact thing. This story is kinda mysterious with the supernatural aspect, but it doesn't really explain it fully to you. I romanced a supernatural character and STILL did not get any in-depth explanation or exploration of the supernatural world. I didn't even get my love interest's background or history, we just …

I've liked a lot of games like this from this publisher and I was very attracted to the setting for this one, but this is one to miss in my opinion. I did one complete play through, got what I assume was intended to be a "bad" ending, and got 1 of 22 achievements. Browsing through the achievements I didn't get, I apparently missed a TON of this story. The problem is I really have no idea why. The problem with this one is that it just doesn't do a very good job of conveying what you should be doing and when. "You go to the fair, the sun is setting so you've only got time to do a couple of things." Okay, I do this. "Nothing really happens, now you've got less time." Most of this story was just me selecting stuff, being told it either didn't do anything useful or failed miserably, and me sitting there wondering how I was supposed to know to make one of the other choices. Just not this publisher's best work.

A short tale that made me think of it in the end as a "week in the life of" a squire. Not at all a bad thing, but it definetly feels more short story-ish than novela. I did enjoy the quick romp around the country side and the excitement of figuring out what was really going on. TBH I really just wanted it to be more than it was, would have been amazing to get to know more of the MC before running off on this adventure, and Id really have enjoyed having more time to spend with some of the people I met along the way. All in all id say this made a good but shallow impression. Id be very much interested in reading further works in this setting and or by this author, if they take the time to spin a longer yarn as it were. This one is just long enough to wet one's whistle, but not enough to sate ones thirst. Edited 02/23/21 to fix a mixed metaphor ; )

As with other COG titles this is a choose your own adventure multi-choice text only video game, a sort of hybrid book/ video game. This game has loose ties to the war of the roses, GOT, and Arhturian chivarly tales. Overall while I found the story enjoyable I wished there were more oportunites to branch off from the main narritive. Perhaps romance was possible, but if so, I did not find it in this game. The story and ending were a bit forced. I decided towards the end that I would side with a certain faction, and despite my desire to join this faction, I was forced to fight against them and lose everything and have a bad ending. So there's that. However, if you can forgive the plot being a bit forced and there being a bit less choices that really matter than some COG games, it was overall a good tale with a strong romantic chivarlrous knight errant tone and style that I found very charming. So, in short, if you like choose your own adventure style adventures, are okay with your video game being text only, and want a bit of knightly questing, this is a good game for you.

The story might have coding issues that need to be examined. I was in chapter six and chose a combat choice that restarted the book. In my opinion, up to that point the story was mediocre, of course I like it did provide more branching and diverse options in some instances, but unfortunately you need to choose specific choices to meet prerequisites to unlock some interesting options. I am skeptical on the stats, for example the "Superstitious VS Rationality" Demeanor is treated as believe in "Superstitions" or lack thereof, however it seems to extend to perception of reality in some instances and the game provides irrefutable proof that faeries exist in the setting.

Meh ! The story is tell with up and down. Up for the story and choice regard of the squire and his mission. And down on those strange things that are not part of chivalry tale. Didn't like this story at the end.