The Nascent Necromancer

It's alright. Very light fun. But there's some problems with dissonance? Like, I was deeply invested in the relationship with Yosif and the player, but that was the only relationship I cared about at all. Lonnie I think is the worst victim of the dissonance. Within two to three days of knowing her, she's deemed as family by the rest of the group, when she's mainly been a huge annoyance and was very much clear about being a witch hunter. Legitimately, didn't care when [spoiler] she got poisoned. [/spoiler]. The magic is fun, but you can only use it in a few scenes right at the end so it didn't feel all that worth it at all. The player is treated like they're in the wrong if they don't trust or even like Lonnie, even though she was a huge reason to the player watching their brother die right in front of them. She even gets incredibly hostile to them and halfway through I was hoping that I could use her for the sacrifice that Ezal wanted. Some of the coding doesn't make sense, for example, your approval stats with each of the gang wasn't necessary at all because they don't treat you any different, like in other games, if the approval hits a certain amount. It just affects what YOU can say to them, or if you can initiate a romance or something. The beginning is so so strong but it doesn't really live up to expectations. The magic you can play around with is fun, the introduction to the gang is fun, especially the hang out, but it just doesn't feel polished. It's fine for having some fun, but not exactly the type of Choice of Script games I would eagerly recommend to friends.

Eh for the price it's fine but honestly doesn't live up to it's premise. If you're looking for some light CYA it's fine, but if you were looking for something a bit darker, like the name might suggest, you'll be disappointing. Romances feel very forced to the point of being creepy. Most of the game doesn't even have magic of any kind and by the time it does, it ends very abruptly. Less "Forbidden magic and raising the dead" more "goofy adventures with your friends in the woods"

Nothing gets resolved? The whole HOOK doesn't get introduced until the end of the game, to the point that it tutorials mechanics that don't have time to appear. I'd say it was sequel-bait, but it honestly doesn't even qualify as a part 1.

I quit halfway(?) through the game. I don't think I've ever done that before, at least when it comes to text adventures. Take from that what you will.

This CYOA is a gritty and realistic tale of underdogs in a small, poverty stricken village trying to keep their heads above water and survive in a harsh world that doesn't care if they live or die.When a brutal Witch Finder destroys what little the MC and their friends in the village guard have, it becomes a tale of survival and the desire to acquire the power to have revenge. From basically knowing nothing but a few whispered words and the regular village gossip concerning sorcerers, the MC wants to become a a Necromancer, someone who not only has access to great power and knowledge, but is very vulnerable to betrayal in a dog eat dog society. The MC needs to achieve this while on the run with people who may or may not be their friends. In spite of this being shorter than many other CYOA games, there is plenty of meat in the tale, and it will take several play-throughs to find out all there is to know about this journey into Hell. The characters are rough and ready, as you would expect from villagers born on the wrong side of town and who, living hand to mouth, have their reality so shattered they are no longer sure of the difference between right or wrong as they fight for their lives. It may appear that the characters are not fully sketched out, but when they are fighting battles and crawling through mud, detailed descriptions of clothing and hair colour are not particularly helpful and are simply filler and there are no wasted words. It also takes away from the tension the author has skilfully built up and maintains throughout the game until the ending that begs for a follow-on to tie up a few loose ends. The game reflects the horrors, brutality and ignorance of the real historical period when governments did send out witchfinders who ruthlessly condemned many innocent people to death on a whim. Its a great story with a choice of endings and reflects the harshness of life that produced the Salem Witch Trials and the horrors inflicted by Matthew Hopkins and others of that breed. Its a pleasure to find a book that is intelligently written and if you like your history coated with a good dose of realism as well as a bit of fantasy, it should find a place in your games library. Now I just want to find out what happens next!

Wooohooohhoooooh! ... Boy, this story was rather dark. XD Not only it has bullying, sheet keeps happening until you yourself just want to hurt the ones who hurt you. Ehh. I rather enjoyed this. Some parts I had trouble stomaching... But then again, brutality/violence isn't something a lot of people enjoy. Regardless, I actually liked that the game USED their skills. I recently read a book that had skills just for show. I still have no clue what they did. Or if relationship stats mattered... This one however, DOES matter. The relationship stats I mean... Especially towards the end/for flirting. This one allows you to use skills AND it's not super hard at all. Well I mean... You may still make a mistake or two... Being human and all. Characters: I really, really disliked Lonnie. I kept thinking she was going to shoot my MC in the face! I just... She just rubs me the wrong way!!! My favorite one was Tanno (and Yosif. Duh). Being a chef and an ass man are two rather good qualities in a man. ;) Meylor comes second close, but uh... He seems like a support pillow to me. Like where Tanno is funny, Meylor is soft and kind. PUT THOSE TWO TOGETHER DAMN IT! Anyway... NECROMANCY! That's what some people were here for, right? Hmmmmmmm... You will get a chance to use your skills in battle, BUT!!! I think they should release the second book... Because most likely that's where majority of the "Necro" stuff is going to be at... Primarily because this book ends in a cliffhanger, so there HAS to be a continuation. If not? Fun was still had! I'll definitely read it again and try different variations this time around. :D HELLO and warm greetings to the Summoned Minion AND GOGGIE! You two are awesome as well! THANK YOU! :) :> =)

The main allure of the game isn't introduced until the last 20% of the story only to have an effect less than three times to any sizable scale. This game doesn't really have anything to do with necromancy. It would've been better served simply saying that anything close to 'necromancy' would simply be the occult. Call them cultists or warlocks and allow their abilities to represent that. There are only two 'abilities' that even get close to necromancy and it's simply not good enough. There are better ChoiceScript games that follow the trope of the 'Unwilling Antihero'. That's not to say that the game is completely irredeemable. If marketed as a perilous journey that contains a family of cultists trying to survive against a tyrannical branch of the government, it would've made for a better marketed game. Because at the end of the day, it was simply a bunch of generic fantasy (no insult meant by the term, I like generic fantasy) conflicts that lead to an introduction of personalities that then follow the above structure of trying to survive against the odds. Also, with the exception of one or two romance options, they feel very bizarre. Without spoiling the details, one option is particular is pretty egregious. You meet someone and romance them to the point of betraying their entire life's work in the course of about 1-2 weeks. They continuously threaten you and there is no recourse to their actions that you can take. If you like the occult or the experience of fleeing the law as an outcast, this is probably for you. Heavier leanings on the latter part of that statement. But, I simply can't recommend because of the name being misleading to what I feel the project's true nature shows itself to be.

It's pretty good. Strong start, the various characters are decently developed and I like the concept. I do think some of the romance options fall into the trap that a lot of games do - the stories aren't long enough for a slow burn or even a medium burn, so you're practically jumping right into love at first sight with whichever character catches your interest. On the plus side, you aren't locked into any choices there, you can spend time with all the characters whether you like them or not - and you aren't forced to spend time with them if you don't care for them. But ♥♥♥♥ am I tired of people writing series and leaving things unresolved to be finished in the next book. Write a good ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ standalone book and leave room to expand on it if you as an author want to finish it and if it is received well. Don't just wrap things up with plotlines left unresolved.

The setting is dark, depicting a society that is melancholic and self-absorbed, where individuals often alter their convictions following the influence of more dominant forces. In essence, it is a far cry from a whimsical, 'Choose Your Own Adventure' style with unicorns and rainbows. Those seeking to be heroes in an idyllic world should look elsewhere. This narrative is steeped in violence, bullying, and malevolence from antagonists. The protagonist is an inconsequential young man who begins to experience suffering, highlighting his lack of power. However, as the story progresses, he gradually acquires abilities and eventually, significant powers. This is no tale of instant heroism; there are no golden capes or swift world-saving feats. In many respects, the book is average and it frequently conveys a sense of powerlessness, specially at the beginning. The skills developed within the game evolve with each action, which is a gratifying aspect. The scenarios presented and the initial powerlessness of the protagonist feel more realistic than the typical 'one person can change the world' narrative often found in other works. Be prepared for a journey of hardship before you can exert influence over others. About the character development, some characters feel flat, not due to a lack of descriptive action (which is well-handled), but because they are rather two-dimensional. Others are more intricately portrayed, each having a distinct role in the story. The personalities are well-defined, albeit stereotypical, leading to fewer surprises. For example, the villain is predictably evil, the justice seeker is a noble yet burdened character, and the thief is a classic amoral figure. While this approach might lack creativity and miss opportunities for compelling moments, it does enhance realism. I was able to identify characters by their actions, even when initially confused by similar-sounding names. Would I recommend this book? Yes, particularly if it's on sale. I'm even inclined to purchase a sequel if one is released. However, I wished for a longer story, allowing more exploration once magical abilities are introduced. The narrative is not overly brief, but it could benefit from additional depth. The variety of choices available to the reader is commendable, offering more diversity than many other books in the genre. For those who are curious: yes, you can choose to play a morally dubious character throughout the story. Regarding the necromancer aspect... most of the narrative unfolds without magic. Only later does the protagonist discover and harness magical abilities. This is where I feel the story should have been extended, allowing more time to explore the necromantic elements. The title is fitting, as the journey involves evolving into a necromancer. Many readers, I believe, would have appreciated more opportunities to delve into this aspect. Here's hoping for a sequel with more thrilling adventures.

Good