Heart of the House

Heart of the House

A Tale of Gothic Horror

114 ratings
35 reviews
$6.99
With Ads

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • October 26, 2017
  • January 8, 2026

Features

Heart of the House screenshot #1 for iPhone
Heart of the House screenshot #2 for iPhone
Heart of the House screenshot #3 for iPhone
Heart of the House screenshot #4 for iPhone
Heart of the House screenshot #5 for iPhone
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About

Embark on a text-based gothic horror adventure as an orphan with the ability to commune with spirits. Investigate your uncle's disappearance in a haunted manor, encountering ghosts, servants, and a mysterious lord. Your choices will determine the fate of the spirits and your own escape.

Text-based interactive novel
Gothic horror story
Spirit communication
Romance options
Multiple character identities
Branching narrative choices
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What's New in Heart of the House

1.0.10

January 8, 2026

You can now choose a font in the Settings menu. Switch to Helvetica for crisp sans-serif text, or try the OpenDyslexic font, designed against some common symptoms of dyslexia. If you enjoy "Heart of the House", please leave us a written review. It really helps!

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User reviews

Favorite text adventure

I have had this game on my phone for years, probably when it first came out. When I first got it, I played it through several times, and then played it a bit less as time went on. I just replayed it for the first time in 2 years, and I was just as enraptured by the story as the first time I played it.

The story is so good, the characters are all great, and it’s just such a good choose your own adventure story. The choices you make, things you can do and say, all great. Do yourself a favor and play this game.
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Hurried Romance but Great Story

This story was beautiful and I was attached to all of the characters by the end. You can tell how much care and craft went into it. I am so attached to the characters I would even love to play a sequel! I really felt their pain and was so worried when I thought they’d get hurt.

I also enjoyed the diversity and especially Loren being nonbinary and the option to be trans. It felt a little bit unrealistic (it would have been great if there was binding in the story etc but it’s not necessary) but the story was fantasy so it was not difficult to suspend disbelief.

The one complaint I have is that the romance all seemed very hurried. I wasn’t sure who to choose that quickly and was unsure if denying their advances at first would make them no longer romance-able. It was also frustrating because the choices all seemed to happen at very inconvenient times and so I would put off showing interest in them until a more convenient time but then they’d no longer be available.

Spoilers:
I was actually very sad when Dev and Loren got together. I love them both so much and I’m glad they found each other but I would loved to have been able to romance them both (that may have been an option but it wasn’t in my ending) or at least be able to choose one of them later in the story. Regardless, I’m so thankful I was able to get them their happy ending.
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Very amazing app!!

I would give this app ten stars if I could! The story and characters are well written! I can’t wait to see where my next choice will take me!

This is highly reminiscent of Choose Your Own Adventure.

It is well worth the money!

SEQUEL???

This game is worth the money and the read! 10/10 And would very much love a sequel!

Help?

When I start the game it tells me I need to download the new version and every time I try it fails I’ve tried deleting the game and reinstalling it but is still doesn’t work

Developer apps

FAQ

What is Heart of the House?

Heart of the House is a 360,000-word interactive gothic novel. It is entirely text-based, relying on the player's imagination rather than graphics or sound effects. The story follows an orphan who can commune with spirits and must investigate a disappearance in a haunted manor.

What are the key features of this app?

Key features include the ability to play as male, female, or non-binary characters with various romantic orientations. Players can explore a shifting manor, encounter ghosts and spirits, fight evil or embrace its gifts, and make choices that affect relationships and survival.

Is Heart of the House free to play?

The application is free to download and play, but it does contain advertisements. There are also in-app purchases available, which may enhance the gameplay experience or offer additional content.

What kind of story can I expect?

You can expect a deep gothic horror narrative filled with mystery, supernatural encounters, and the potential for romance. The story explores themes of good versus evil, the power of the spirit world, and the consequences of choices made within a haunted environment.

Who is this app for?

This app is designed for individuals who enjoy immersive storytelling, particularly fans of gothic horror and interactive fiction. It appeals to players who appreciate complex narratives, character development, and the freedom to make impactful decisions within a fictional world.