The quirky denizens of Effington resort to backstabbing, slander, seduction, poisoning and other nefarious activities in a hilarious scavenger hunt for a secret bourbon recipe and the ultimate prize of owning a prosperous distillery. Inspired by the Ben Folds song, the Coen brothers’ movies and the TV Show Northern Exposure, Effington’s players have a great sense of characterization and setting, proving that rotating narration can work remarkably well. (18+)

— SoulfulScribe   8/16/16

With an understatedly cyber-punkish/sci-fi setting and a diverse group of well-drawn characters played by skilled and creative writers, ‘Dust in the Wind’ is an engaging read, touching on themes of cynicism vs. idealism, community, revolution, and the responsibility of the individual to a wider world which has done them very few favors.

— Miriravan   7/30/16

Not merely a well-crafted story, with achingly human, believable characters, ‘Inside the Zenith’ asks essential questions of its players, and, by extension, readers. What does freedom mean to an individual? Is loss of independence worth a promise of security in an uncertain world? What kind of decisions would you make when forced to choose between love and duty? It’s a haunting narrative that leaves me waiting impatiently for each new move.

— Taskir   7/ 2/16

Needs to be subtitled ‘Or: Proof that a Storium Game Doesn’t Have to Be Epic and Sweeping to Captivate.’ ‘Unrequited’ is as small and intimate as it gets — a study of two long-separated souls given a second chance at love, and how they deal with the changes time has wrought. This is a slow, sweet burn that deserves a read by anyone who even remotely favors the romance genre.

— Syrmaticus   6/17/16

A monumental urban fantasy comedy-drama about a group of supernatural refugees running a haunted hotel. Come for the cute demon-out-of-hell culture shock tidbits and endearing banter; stay for the poignant reflections, moments of raw, tentative connection between flawed but lovable characters, and supernatural action pulled off with style. The game is a towering feat of collaborative storytelling, with no signs of slowing down after nearly two years — and it’s a testament to the possibilities of the medium.

— JackOfTheLighter   6/ 3/16

There aren’t many games taking place in medieval India…yet. But Voice of the Gods may change all that! @ankti has assembled an all-star cast, and the tale they are weaving is spell-binding. You can find many a fantasy story based on what might be called western cultural norms, and that’s great. But it’s very refreshing to see a story which taps into the rich cultural themes of the Indian subcontinent. Definitely worth a look!

— Boyd_Crowder   5/22/16

Gamma Gamma Delta was advertised as “Animal House meets Dungeons and Dragons,” and it delivers that wonderfully. @JackSlack creates a fun world with entertaining challenges, and each of the writers adds unique and hilarious characters into this world. If the idea of magical frat hijinks sounds like something you want, check out this story! (18+)

— Primesauce   5/14/16

Take a trip into the realms of Fae with @DanMcGru and her cast. A land filled with as much glamour and intrigue as one could ask for. The level of imagination, and heart and soul that everyone has poured into this game make it simply amazing and definitely worth the read!

— Squiggle   5/ 6/16

Part space opera, part pirate adventure, the rough and ready crew of the Lady Luck remind me of ‘Firefly’ and that can only be a good thing. Great writing, sharp narrating, and edge of your seat action (I got chills when I read Chapter 3, scene 3) make Salvage a must read!

— Greymalkin   4/29/16

It’s not “just another fantasy story.” “Twice Born” truly is wonderful and well-written. It’s set in a fleshed out world that feels alive, and populated with unique characters with rich backstories. The plot of a dead prince wishing to live again is captivating. The excellent and vibrant writing makes you want to keep reading just to stay with the characters a little while longer.

— KingGramJohnson   4/22/16