Guides
New to interactive fiction? Start here.
What is Interactive Fiction?
Interactive fiction (IF) is storytelling where you don't just read — you participate. It began in the 1970s with games like Colossal Cave Adventure and Zork, where players typed commands to explore underground worlds. Today, the genre has evolved into two main branches, each offering experiences you won't find anywhere else.
Unlike other games, IF puts prose first. There are no graphics to show you what's happening — words build the world in your imagination. This constraint becomes a strength: authors can create settings, emotions, and ideas that would be impossible (or impossibly expensive) to visualize. The best IF stays with you like a good novel.
Parser Games
Parser games understand natural language commands. You type what you want to do, and the game interprets it. This creates a sense of freedom — you're not limited to predetermined choices. The tradeoff is a learning curve: you need to figure out what the game understands.
Most parser games share a common vocabulary:
Describe surroundings
Look closely
Pick up or put down
Move N, S, E, W, up, down
See what you carry
Start conversation
Don't be afraid to experiment. Type HELP for hints, ABOUT for credits and instructions, and UNDO to reverse mistakes. Save often — parser games can be unforgiving.
Choice Games
Choice-based games present options as clickable links or buttons. No typing required — just read and click. This accessibility has made choice IF the dominant form today, from free Twine experiments to polished commercial releases like 80 Days.
The best choice games make every decision feel meaningful. Some track stats, relationships, or inventory behind the scenes. Others branch into completely different storylines. A few combine both — your choices shape who you become, and that identity shapes what choices appear later.
Replaying to explore other paths is half the fun. Many choice games are designed to be experienced multiple times, revealing new perspectives with each playthrough.
Where to Start
These games are perfect for newcomers — forgiving, well-designed, and free:
You are Grunk. Grunk lose pig. Boss tell Grunk find pig. Hilarious, forgiving, and the perfect introduction to parser commands.
Race around the world in a steampunk reimagining of Verne. Beautiful, accessible, endlessly replayable. Available on mobile and desktop.
A story about stories, with minimal puzzles and maximum emotional impact. One of the most acclaimed works in the medium.
Free browser game set in a Victorian London that fell into a cavern. Endless content, gorgeous writing, perfect for short sessions.
Tips for Enjoying IF
- → Take notes. Draw maps for parser games. Write down names and clues. You'll thank yourself later.
- → Read everything. Descriptions often contain puzzle hints. Examine objects, read books, search thoroughly.
- → Save often. Parser games especially can have dead ends. Multiple save slots are your friend.
- → Use hints when stuck. Most games have built-in help. Getting stuck isn't fun — there's no shame in hints.
- → Replay choice games. Your first playthrough rarely reveals everything. Try different paths.