# Guardian Maia Ep 1 — CYOA, text adventure gamebook

> Interactive fiction gamebook with Maori mythology, choice and consequence, and unique combat. (iPhone/iPad app by Metia.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guardian-maia-ep-1/id1437123011 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Metia](https://appshunter.io/developer/1182845987)
- Category: Games, Books, Adventure, Role Playing
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 41 App Store ratings · 38 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 7.0 · 194 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2019-02-15
- Data updated: 2026-07-05
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guardian-maia-ep-1/id1437123011/reviews.md

## What is Guardian Maia Ep 1?

A guardian must protect her people against the horrors of a world grown wild in the wake of civilisation's fall.

FEATURES
+ Guardian Maia Ep1 is free to play. 
+ Interactive fiction, choose your own adventure with choice and consequence.
+ Unique combat system, choose wisely to conquer your enemies.
+ Based on the mythology of the Maori culture with a modern spin
+ Atmospheric soundtracks that incorporate Maori sounds and birdsong.
+ Stylised chapter illustrations featuring characters from the story.
+ An epic gamebook journey.

You are about to guide Maia on a treacherous journey where decisions aren't simply about life and death. The gods are watching Maia very closely, judging her behaviours, weighing her choices. Maia's mana is at stake in many of the moves she will make.
In the context of Guardian, 'Mana' represents Maia's personal and spiritual power, her will, her integrity, her inner strength.  Episode One has three different endings depending on what Maia's Mana Score is at the end of the game.

Episode One begins outside a traditional Maori settlement in Fiordland, New Zealand. The people are protected by Guardians, and one guardian, Maia, is censured for her strange nature.  While Maia lives outside the settlement, in the forest, her loyalty remains strong to her people as she protects them from hostile outside forces.

Find out what happens next by playing through our interactive fiction novel.  Make your choices wisely your health and your mana depends upon it.

Episode One is part one of a duology.  This is a hybrid historical/science-fiction story that draws on the mythology of the Maori culture in New Zealand.  Guardian is also a global story and taps into the universal human need to belong and understand the mysteries of the world.

SOCIAL MEDIA
+ www.theguardiangame.com
+ www.facebook.com/guardian.maia
+ www.instagram.com/guardian.maia

## Key features

- Interactive fiction
- Choose your own adventure
- Choice and consequence
- Unique combat system
- Maori mythology inspiration
- Atmospheric soundtracks
- Stylized chapter illustrations

## Recent user reviews (10 of 38)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guardian-maia-ep-1/id1437123011/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Great game

*2025-03-21, version 1.0*

Wicked to see our culture in an app now, cool story line and great to be able to make decisions. Only problem is “continue” button gets in the way and you can’t read the last couple lines before continuing

### 5/5 — Review

*2024-08-09, version 1.0*

I like this game and how it tells stories and te reo maori words I have learnt some while playing on this app

### 5/5 — He tino pai awe!

*2024-05-19, version 1.0*

He Tino pai awe te pukapuka, ko māia he Tino pai awe ki tangata 

Tekau/tekau

### 5/5 — This is great

*2023-09-21, version 1.0*

I love this game and how you get to make decisions. There is a lot of reading and I did not bother to read it until my third play through. This is amazing 5 star

### 4/5 — Rawe!

*2023-07-18, version 1.0*

great game, I love the māori theme and culture throughout. Beautiful art/visuals and music/sounds. There is a bit of reading involved but i’m a reader so that’s ok. Would love to have an avatar of Maiā to be able to move around and explore her world!.

### 4/5 — Very good!

*2023-06-15, version 1.0*

Really super good but occasionally the lowest line of text is hidden by the options, especially when there are multiple choices. Other than love it and it’s a super fun story and very engaging

### 5/5 — HONONGA

*2023-04-22, version 1.0*

TINO ATAAHUA❤️❤️❤️

### 5/5 — Wholly captivating, unique story

*2022-11-11, version 1.0*

Gaurdian Maya has better dialogue than most choose your own adventures. The Maori cultural elements offer a new kind of world and warrior, which was exciting. One small annoyance that I hope is addressed in part 2 is that the options overlap the text (on an iPhone) so you have to scroll up and down to catch the last few words.

### 5/5 — Great storytelling!

*2022-10-20, version 1.0*

Enjoyed both episodes.  Very satisfying conclusion.

### 5/5 — Guardian Maia and the Manga

*2021-11-06, version 1.0*

This is a neat story. I noticed ep.2 was meant to be up a while ago. Still working on it? Would love to read the next episode.

## Frequently asked questions about Guardian Maia Ep 1

### What is Guardian Maia Ep 1?

Guardian Maia Ep 1 is an interactive fiction gamebook where you guide the protagonist, Maia, a guardian protecting her people. The game features a choose-your-own-adventure format with significant choices and consequences that affect the story and Maia's spiritual power, known as 'Mana'.

### What are the key features of this game?

Key features include interactive fiction with branching narratives, a unique combat system, and a story deeply inspired by Maori mythology with a modern twist. The game also boasts atmospheric soundtracks incorporating Maori sounds and birdsong, along with stylized chapter illustrations.

### Is Guardian Maia Ep 1 free to play?

Yes, Guardian Maia Ep 1 is free to play. The game does not feature in-app purchases or advertisements, offering a complete experience without additional costs.

### What platforms is Guardian Maia Ep 1 available on?

While the provided data doesn't specify platforms, it is described as a mobile application. Users can typically find such games on major app stores like Google Play and the Apple App Store.

### What is the story about?

The story follows Maia, a guardian tasked with protecting her people in a world recovering from the fall of civilization. Set in Fiordland, New Zealand, it blends historical and science-fiction elements, drawing heavily on Maori mythology. Maia's loyalty and choices are tested as she defends her settlement from external threats.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.0 — 2019-02-15

No release notes.

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## More apps by Metia

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- [Guardian Maia Ep 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guardian-maia-ep-2/id1590957404)
- [Waehere](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waehere/id1626401425)

All apps by Metia: https://appshunter.io/developer/1182845987

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-05.*
