The Digital Soap Opera
Choices: Stories You Play has been around since 2016, and it’s basically the final boss of the interactive fiction genre on mobile. Unlike some of its seedier competitors, Pixelberry (the developer) actually puts effort into the prose. Some of the fantasy books, like Blades of Light & Shadow, actually feel like light RPGs with XP systems and world-building.
But let’s be real: most people are here for the drama.
The app is a mixed bag of 'Young Adult' vibes and 'Adult Contemporary' steaminess. One minute you're playing a high schooler trying to win a cheerleading competition, and the next, the app is suggesting The Nanny Affair, which is exactly what it sounds like. There is no hard gate between the PG-13 content and the 17+ content once you're inside the app.
The Cost of a Happy Ending
The biggest friction point for parents isn't actually the sex—it's the diamonds. Choices operates on a 'freemium' model that can be incredibly frustrating. If you want your character to stand up to a bully, solve a mystery, or go on a date with the lead love interest, it usually costs 15 to 30 diamonds. If you don't pay, your character often has to choose a 'loser' option—like wearing a literal potato sack to a prom or letting a villain get away. It’s a psychological squeeze that can be tough for younger, more impulsive players to navigate.
If you have a teen playing this, the move is to treat it like a digital book club. Ask them about the plot twists. Most of the 'steamy' stuff is fairly standard romance novel fare—lots of yearning and suggestive descriptions—but it’s worth knowing that the app is definitely leaning harder into the 'Mature' category as it ages to keep its adult player base engaged.
