Choices: Stories You Play

App review by Dana Anderson, Common Sense Media
Choices: Stories You Play Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Cheesy stories require players to choose between options.

iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android Free Simulation Games
Rate app

Parents say

age 16+

Based on 64 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 34 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate app
  • Choices Stories You Play App: Screenshot #1
  • Choices Stories You Play App: Screenshot #2
  • Choices Stories You Play App: Screenshot #3
  • Choices Stories You Play App: Screenshot #4
  • Choices Stories You Play App: Screenshot #5

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this app.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Choices: Stories You Play is an interactive storybook app for teens like High School Story (made by the same developer) or Episode -- Choose Your Story. As the stories progress, readers choose between pre-written scenarios to move the stories in different directions. Characters earn points for saying or doing things that make people like them, and readers get reward points for finishing chapters. Some series-based stories are updated weekly, in-app purchases are required to access some story options, and ads appear between chapters. In many stories there's some sexual innuendo and swearing, and there are some messages around dating and appearance that some parents may not love. Read the app's privacy policy to find out about the types of information collected and shared.

Community Reviews

Martss
Martss Adult
February 9, 2022
age 18+

Toxic relationships

I am a clinical psychologist and this game perpetuates the love myths and toxic relationships and abuse. Please don't allow your children play these kind of games

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
SallyKru
SallyKru Adult
October 3, 2021
age 18+

Highly EXPENSIVE and sexual content

Great stories for adults but this is a toss up between 2 or 3 stars due to the fact that you get almost no diamonds or keys for the money. I have spent over $10 for 1 book, and that was not using diamonds for at least 3/4 of it. If you want to use the interactive choices get ready to easily spend a minimum of $30+ per book which is ridiculous. I will just go back to purchasing regular books as the makers of this game are very greedy. Surely the ads plus the reader spend are more than enough where you could give a reasonable amount of diamonds or not ask for large amounts in every single chapter. If you spend $5 and use them they are gone after 2 chapters. And they push unfaithful relationship choices. You make choices to show you are interested in marrying a particular male character or that is the idea of the game such as marry the prince but they will push cheating throughout. Even if you say not interested in the other sex. And there are several sex books offerings as well. This game pushes exploring gay straight or bi relationships as a societal normal, which I think is ridiculous. If a person is straight society now requires them to consider if they may be gay. If a person is gay the same, now they are expected to explore straight? This causes more confusion in adults and breakdowns and pain in committed relationships. And something children shouldnt have to think about at all or choose! They should be themselves and not fall pressure to a degrading oversexed society. And they certainly shouldnt be playing this game. Adults only.

This title has:

Easy to play/use
Too much sex
Too much consumerism
See all 64 parent reviews

What’s It About?

To play CHOICES: STORIES YOU PLAY, first choose your genre and book. Read the information on the screen and tap one of the optional choices. Or, once you've completed reading text with no choices, tap anywhere on the screen to move to the next scene. All dialogue and choices appear on-screen.

Is It Any Good?

Teens looking for some interactive stories may find this fun, but the cheesy lines, sexual innuendo, consumerism, lack of positive messages, and inability to create content make it a lesser choice. Choices: Stories You Play includes different genres of books -- Romance, Fantasy, Mystery -- and some come in series of books updated weekly, which is nice for fans who get hooked on certain storylines. Because the visuals don't change much, a lot of what's happening in the stories has to be described in the written text ("Dom is attracted to you." "You knock the sword out of his hand.") without any corresponding visuals. This often feels stilted and weird. And getting from one piece of dialogue to the next can be slow. The points come slowly, and some choices are off-limits until the player earns enough points or purchases them via in-app purchase. If the messages were more positive or teens could contribute stories, there would be more to recommend. As it stands, though, there are better choices for this type of app.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the concept of making choices that change the outcome of a story in Choices: Stories You Play. Are choices in real life as clear cut as they are on this app?

  • Talk about earning points for making choices that cause other characters to like your character. When does it make sense to make a choice based on how others will feel about you, and when shouldn't that matter at all? 

  • Discuss the ways dating and appearance are portrayed, since girls at the target age are especially susceptible to messages around body image and healthy/unhealthy relationships.

  • Encourage teens to create their own stories with apps like StoryCorps.

App Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • LongStory Poster Image

    LongStory

    LGBTQ-friendly sim navigates teen relationships and drama.

    age 14+
  • High School Story Poster Image

    High School Story

    Jocks, nerds, and you star in this positive teen drama sim.

    age 14+
  • Weirdwood Manor Poster Image

    Weirdwood Manor

    Solve puzzles, explore rich visuals in cool storybook.

    age 8+

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate