# Heart of the House — A Tale of Gothic Horror

> Interactive gothic horror novel about communing with spirits and escaping a haunted manor. (iPhone/iPad app by Choice of Games LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heart-of-the-house/id1292004731 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Choice of Games LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/348940935)
- Category: Games, Books, Adventure, Role Playing
- Price: $6.99
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 114 App Store ratings · 35 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 31 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-10-26
- Data updated: 2026-09-02
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heart-of-the-house/id1292004731/reviews.md

## What is Heart of the House?

Destroy the evil at the heart of a haunted manor! As an orphan, you discovered your ability to commune with the spirit world and ghosts. When your uncle Kent mysteriously disappears, you'll embark on a journey to find out what really happened. With your trusty companion Devanand at your side, you make your way to Darnecroy Manor, where Kent was last seen. It is...The House.

"Heart of the House" is 360,000-word interactive Gothic novel by Nissa Campbell. It's entirely text-based—without graphics or sound effects—and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination. 
   
Within the manor, you'll encounter the master, Lord Bastian Reaves; his mysterious servants, Oriana and Loren; and the thousands of spirits teeming around and in this haunted mansion. But will you shatter the power that binds the ghosts to the House, or claim it for yourself? Can love bloom in a haunted house? Most importantly, how will you escape when the House comes for you?

• Play as male, female, or non-binary; gay, straight, bi, ace, or poly
• Explore the halls of the House, even as they seem to shift before your eyes
• Encounter ghosts, spirits, and echoes, as you search for your lost Uncle Kent
• Fight against an ancient evil or embrace its demonic gifts
• Indulge in steamy, chaste, sweet, or provocative romances, or go it alone
• Exploit the secrets you find for self-serving ends or use them to help your friends
• Defeat your greatest fears in bone-chilling moments of terror...if you can
• Choose whom you can save, if anyone, from the horrors the House contains

For some, there may be no escape from The Heart of the House.

## Key features

- Text-based interactive novel
- Gothic horror story
- Spirit communication
- Romance options
- Multiple character identities
- Branching narrative choices

## Chart rankings

- #173 in Top Paid · Role Playing (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 35)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heart-of-the-house/id1292004731/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Favorite text adventure

*2022-06-29, version 1.0.6*

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.

### 5/5 — Hurried Romance but Great Story

*2019-06-26, version 1.0.5*

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.

### 5/5 — Very amazing app!!

*2019-06-22, version 1.0.5*

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!

### 5/5 — SEQUEL???

*2019-05-08, version 1.0.5*

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

### 5/5 — Help?

*2018-08-22, version 1.0.5*

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

### 5/5 — Wow

*2018-07-08, version 1.0.5*

This game!!! I am in love with this game, I’ve recommended it to all my friends and my girlfriend!
The gender options are amazing and so refreshing to see. The LIs are all different and none of them are forced on you, not even the male option! They’re not only part of the story if they’re an LI as well!!
The plot is also interesting and new. I’ll admit, some parts confused me but that’s probably my own fault because I read too quickly and don’t always notice the details. I couldn’t get enough of this app and had to stop from reading quite a few times because I didn’t want to finish it too quickly!
TL; DR- Get this app. You won’t regret it.
Tip: You can play the first part of it online for free to see if you want to buy it.

### 5/5 — great replay value

*2018-06-29, version 1.0.5*

The whole story is very gothic in a way and kinda Lovecraftian and it draws you in from the get go. It's very kooky and every character is interesting..And the challenge of making sure your character thrives all the way to the end was very exciting.

### 5/5 — The Best Game I’ve Ever Played

*2018-05-28, version 1.0.5*

I’ve never read a story so captivating. I could barely stop reading, and even when I wasn’t on this app I was thinking about it and what would happen next in the story. I plan to go through the story many more times because there are so many different paths to take and i’m excited to explore all of them. This game is amazing and completely worth the money; I hope the creator continues to write many more stories like this because I’m excited to read more!

### 4/5 — I love this game!

*2018-05-26, version 1.0.5*

My first game by this company was Choice of Romance, and I’ve played a few more since then. They’ve all been very good, but this is the first one since that has bested my initial experience. I love spooky romances, and this definitely delivered! Additionally, the diverse cast of character was a breath of fresh air. There was something for everybody in this tale, yet it didn’t feel at all forced.
Without revealing too much, this game did something I’ve long craved in text adventure games by allowing the reader to delve into the details of the intimacies of romance. 
I wanted to know even more about the lore of this story, and I did feel the reveal was a bit rushed at the end. I needed more time to truly comprehend the entirety of the supernatural elements that were at work, and especially their relationship with the gods. Even so, I was drawn in the whole time. I could hardly set the game down. It was quite long (which is great, especially since this one is a little pricey) and jam packed with content. 
Overall, this is a great game! Buy it! You won’t be disappointed.

### 5/5 — Well... wow.

*2018-05-19, version 1.0.5*

If you are going to buy any Choice game, buy this one. Just finished it and no words will do it justice. Great read.

## Frequently asked questions about Heart of the House

### 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.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.0.10 — 2026-01-08

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!

### 1.0.9 — 2023-06-28

Bug fixes. If you enjoy "Heart of the House", please leave us a written review. It really helps!

### 1.0.8 — 2023-04-27

Bug fixes. If you enjoy "Heart of the House", please leave us a written review. It really helps!

### 1.0.6 — 2021-10-27

Bug fixes. If you enjoy this game, please leave us a written review. It really helps!

### 1.0.5 — 2018-05-04

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Added support for iPhone X and fixed a crashing bug. If you enjoy playing "Heart of the House," please leave us a written review. It really helps!

## Apps similar to Heart of the House

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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## More apps by Choice of Games LLC

- [Choice of the Dragon](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/choice-of-the-dragon/id348940932)
- [Choice of Broadsides](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/choice-of-broadsides/id365660770)
- [Affairs of the Court (Legacy)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/affairs-of-the-court-legacy/id386916020)
- [Choice of the Vampire](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/choice-of-the-vampire/id388848648)
- [Affairs of the Court](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/affairs-of-the-court/id438137959)
- [Choice of Zombies](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/choice-of-zombies/id494073073)

All apps by Choice of Games LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/348940935

## Related topics

[devil heart and possession](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/devil-heart-and-possession)

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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 2026-09-02.*