Your boring village life is interrupted one day when you are abducted and forced into the service of a mysterious and powerful Emperor and his army. Will you find friendship, love, or rebellion on this journey? It’s 33% off until February 22nd!
The Paths to Greatness is a 175,000 word interactive fantasy novel by Andrew Kenneth Specter, where your choices control the story. It’s entirely text-based—without graphics or sound effects—and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination.
It’s up to you whether you defy the Emperor, or help him accomplish his goals, despite the devious plan he has in store for you.
• Play as a man or woman and be gay, straight, asexual, or aromantic.
• Romance your mentor, fellow apprentice, or the Emperor himself.
• Travel across a vast lake in order to stop an uprising.
• Participate in and win the fighting tournament, and then get ready for the ball.
• Take fate into your own hands with one of more than fifteen endings.
The path to greatness is waiting…
Andrew Kenneth Specter developed this game using ChoiceScript, a simple programming language for writing multiple-choice interactive novels like these. Writing games with ChoiceScript is easy and fun, even for authors with no programming experience. Write your own game and Hosted Games will publish it for you, giving you a share of the revenue your game produces.
So just finished playing the game, i did a combat focused character and romanced the emperor.
As for how i felt i loved it. Most of the game was p intuitive, i didn’t have to do much guess work to figure what each character would take to romance and was able to get a dance my fordt time through (i saw reviews saying people supposedly struggled with this.)
Anyways i’ve only played once BUT i did wanna offer the constructive criticizm that romancing the emperor does make the ending v anticlimactic
Is that the case reguardless tho if you have a good relationship with jim but are banging someone else?
Great game otherwise tho! Look forward to seeing what else you make! <3
Yes, it depends on who your mentor is, though, when the game decides if they are going to defend you or not, regardless of who you are romancing. For example, Sulo will never betray you, even if ordered to, because that’s just not who he is as a person. (:
Thank you so much for your support – it really does mean a lot to me! (:
Theres no guide yet so since i am burning with questions i can’t find an answerto in either thread.
So like i said in my playthrough i romanced the emperor and was overall a very pro empire character who enthusiastically did her duty.
so pls explain that, after becoming empress and being the steady hand behind my husbands ambition i only had abou 70-80% reputation with the empire? I stood out wherever i could and was all for it, so i’m just wondering what i might be missing?
I’m not mad or even dissapointed, i’m just kinda confused here. Like am i missing content i’d get at a higher reputation? Or would it more or less be the same?
And from the way people are reacting to it, I don’t think there will be one made by someone else. I would be happy to make one, though, if you didn’t mind telling me what you wanted to accomplish. (:
I think this is a consequence of me not wanting to overflow into, like, 110% in the reputation stats. I’m pretty sure 80% or 90% is the highest you can reach.
I haven’t read your game yet, but was sad to see some real nastiness happening in some of your reviews, but it’s an open market and people can say what they want. (I suspect some people don’t realise it’s single authors behind HGs rather that a professional company team creating them). Try not to take the non-constuctive ones personally if you can, and consider the more constructive ones for the next game you write to see if they can be helpful.
Of course! I’d be the first one to say the same thing – it was just a silly little observation. (;
Yes, it does seem like some are worded this way.
I never do!
Yes, of course. It doesn’t bother me at all, it is just a little silly to see how the people from this forum/community give criticism and other people do it. I’m very appreciative of the atmosphere here and in other writing communities I am a part of that actively discourage the kind of one-note (literally a single word in some cases) feedback like “boring”.
As someone who also took some hard knocks with his freshman effort, don’t worry. It’s a learning experience, and it can provide motivation to do even better the next time out.
I included this more as a bug report but basically if you choose all the pro non’Caesura options this happens. It doesn’t appear to affect gameplay but you mentioned you were trying to avoid overflow so here xD
Anyways time for why i really came back to annoy you further!
So i got the ‘golden’ ending where you romance someone not the emperor and everyone still survives the finale and between the two endings i’m in agreement this game is awesome
Really having p much finished with any planned ‘new content’ my only complaint is, next to the angst and complicated romance with the emperor the others felt kinda…bland?
But other than that i had a super great time with the game and may or may not be working on a fic but shhhh
So yeah definately don’t let the negative press get to you!
I just wanted to post the guides I’ve made in this thread in case people don’t see them on the discussion thread.
GUIDES:
The Athleticism/Ser Archidamia Aurum (Asexual Woman) Romance Path
In the introduction, when allocating your stats, choose: “I won every race with the neighborhood children.”
In chapter 1, whenever possible, think/dream/spend time with Ser Aurum, your mentor.
During the first duel in chapter 1 against Non’Caesura, do not hold back.
In chapter 1, when reflecting on how you feel, choose that you love it there.
Let the Emperor deal with the remaining villagers.
If you have the option, ask her about her homeland and sisters on the boat.
Say that you are ready during chapter 2.
Choose the option to stop Amerdale that maximizes your chances of victory.
Think that getting back into the fight will take your mind off of killing someone.
Fight alongside Archidamia and her sisters to capture the Masons.
Have Amerdale make a sword out of their masks.
When Maganat asks, say that your mentor was invaluable to your success.
End the tourney fight versus He quickly and decisively.
During the ball, do not sabotage the Emperor’s plan. Later, at dinner, choose that you want the pastries or that traitors deserve nothing.
When prompted, ask her to dance.
Do not choose any of the three or so “we should just be friends” options. Saying you are only interested in sex will end the relationship, as well.
The Brainpower/Wiley Capello (Aromantic Man) Romance Path
In the introduction, choose: “No one could play a trick on me.”
In chapter 1, whenever possible, think about/dream of/spend time with your mentor.
In chapter 1, when reflecting on how you feel, choose that you love it there.
Choose that you should take the villagers back.
Choose the option to stop Amerdale that maximizes your chances of victory.
Work alongside Wiley to capture the Masons.
Choose to keep their masks as they are or have a pen made from them.
When Maganat asks, say that your mentor was invaluable to your success.
Choose that you do not want to hurt He in the tourney.
When prompted, choose to dance with your mentor.
Do not choose any of the three or so “we should just be friends” options. Saying you cannot be in an aromantic couple will end the relationship, as well.
The Charisma/Sulo Afolayan (Bisexual Man) Romance Path
In the introduction, choose: “Everyone said that I was the most charming child in town.”
In chapter 1, whenever possible, think about/dream of/spend time with your mentor.
In chapter 1, when reflecting on how you feel, choose that you love it there.
Choose the third option as the lie.
Choose that you should take the villagers back.
Work with Sulo to capture the Masons.
Choose to keep their masks as they are.
When Maganat asks, say that your mentor was invaluable to your success.
Cheer loudly during the tourney.
During the ball, do not sabotage the Emperor’s plan. Later, at dinner, choose that you want the pastries or that traitors deserve nothing.
When prompted, ask him to dance.
Do not choose any of the three or so “we should just be friends” options.
The Skill/Fabricia Lefebvre (Bisexual Woman) Romance Path
In the introduction, choose: “I was often called upon to do odd jobs because of my handiness.”
In chapter 1, whenever possible, think about/dream of/spend time with your mentor.
In chapter 1, when reflecting on how you feel, choose that you love it there.
Choose that you should take the villagers back.
Choose the option to stop Amerdale that maximizes your chances of victory.
Work with Fabricia to capture the Masons.
Choose “surprise me” or have a baton made out of their masks.
When Maganat asks, say that your mentor was invaluable to your success.
End the tourney fight versus He quickly and decisively.
During the ball, do not sabotage the Emperor’s plan. Later, at dinner, choose that you want the pastries or that traitors deserve nothing.
When prompted, ask her to dance.
Do not choose any of the three or so “we should just be friends” options.
The Emperor (Heterosexual Man) Romance Path
The Emperor can be romanced on any attribute path as long as the player character is a woman.
Whenever possible, think about/dream of the Emperor.
In chapter 1, when reflecting on how you feel, choose that you love it there.
Also in chapter 1, choose: “I began to think that I could see myself here, in service to Maganat.”
Choose: ““Someone I’ve dreamt of… a man I admire,” I answer.” during the first meeting with the Swollen King.
Figure that you will complete his orders because you wish to serve.
Say that “it would be a fine way to show my appreciation” when he asks.
Try and take down the Masons by yourself.
Say that you did everything only for him when he asks.
Say that you don’t want to fight him while blushing during the tourney.
Do not sabotage his plans at the ball.
Ask him to dance when prompted.
Agree to eventually have children.
The Non'Caesura (Bisexual Man) Romance Path
Non’Caesura can be romanced on any attribute path.
When you first meet him, choose: ““Good to see you, too. And yeah, I’m pretty sure the same thing happened to me,” I say, not entirely understanding what he is talking about.”
Whenever possible, think/dream/spend time with him.
Take the berries when he offers them.
If on the athleticism path, do not fight as well as you are able during the duel in chapter 1.
Choose that you should take the villagers back.
On the boat, as how he is.
In Lustre’s lands, whenever he talks about how barbarous they are, agree with him.
Choose the option to stop Amerdale that has you refuse to waste human life pointlessly.
Fight alongside Non’Caesura to capture the Masons.
Comfort him when he runs off in the Keep.
Say that he was invaluable to your success when the Emperor asks.
Choose that you don’t want to hurt He during the first round of the tourney.
Do not hold back when you are fighting Non’Caesura in the tourney.
Say that the party is too wild for you after the tourney.
During the ball, do not sabotage the Emperor’s plan. Later, at dinner, choose that you want the pastries or that traitors deserve nothing.
When prompted, ask him to dance.
Do not choose any of the three or so “we should just be friends” options.
The "I hate everyone, and everyone hates me" Path
This can be done regardless of a player’s main attribute or gender.
Say nothing to Non’Caesura when you first meet.
Ask if Non’Caesura is trying to poison you when he offers you the berries.
Choose: “I feel like this place will be terrible! I don’t like anything about this.”
When reflecting, choose that you only began to loathe it more.
Say that the Emperor is a poor leader when he asks you who he is.
After receiving your first task, choose: “Threats given by a tyrant and a bully do not phase me. I will go only because I have no choice.”
When he asks why you brought the villagers to him, respond with: ““Why do you even care? I didn’t do it out of any love for your empire, if that’s what you’re asking,” I say bitterly.”
If Non’Caesura asks you about the cruelty of Lustre’s people, disagree with your fellow apprentice and say that you have no problem with it.
Do your best to make it look like you’re trying when confronting the Masons.
Decline to have anything made from the Mason’s masks.
Mock or otherwise care more about ham than Non’Caesura when he is sulking during the Lustre victory party.
When talking to Maganat after Lustre Keep, choose: ““Yeah, you’re missing the part where I did none of that for your sh**ty empire.”” and/or ““Yeah, you’re missing the part where I did none of that for you.””
Actively try to sabotage your training whenever possible.
When fighting Non’Caesura in the tourney, choose: “I’m going to knock that smug little grin of his into next week!”
While you are talking to the Emperor in the tourney, first choose ““You can barely walk! How are you going to fight me?” I question.” and then ““I’m going to enjoy kicking your crippled a**,” I say.”
Tell Non’Caesura: ““Don’t let me stop you from being a killjoy. I’m staying,” I reply.”
During the ball, when the Emperor is telling you his plans, say: ““Why would you tell me this? We aren’t exactly best friends,” I question.”
Walk away from or be terrible at all of the investigative options.
Curtly say “Nope!”
Act suspicious of those around you during dinner.
Do not dance with anyone (you shouldn’t have any options to, anyway).
Ask if Non’Caesura ever shuts up.
Choose whichever ending you are aiming for that nets you the best revenge.
