First Year Demons vs The Superlatives

For generations, your family has kept China safe from chaos demons. Now you must uphold that duty while you're at university--just don't tell your roommates! "First Year Demons" is an interactive fantasy novel by Rebecca Slitt, author of "Psy High." Your choices control the story. It's two games in one: a 30,000-word educational game, and a 43,000-word version of the same story that's just for fun. Both games are entirely text-based--without graphics or sound effects--and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination. As the youngest member of a family with a secret and ancient duty to keep China safe from demons, you must balance your relatives' traditional values and expectations with the challenges of your first year at college and your secret study of potions, sword, and spells. Between dorm­room parties and chemistry study sessions, you'll experience battle and betrayal. You'll learn just how important it is to stay close to your family--your life may depend on it! You'll see how China is changing: maybe it's better to offer your ancestors a smartphone than to slay a demon in their memory. And above all, you must not let your friends know why you really sneak out of your dorm so late at night! Demons are all around you, and you never know what might be hiding behind a friendly face. • Battle chaos demons! • Play as male or female, gay, straight or bi • Hit the books, or go out and party! • Stay close to your family ­ or turn against them and be cast out • Specialize in swords, magic, or potions

Lead a superpowered team of "Superlatives" to defend 19th-century Victorian London! Battle a Martian warship, clockwork monsters, and nefarious inventors. "The Superlatives: Aetherfall" is a 260,000-word interactive novel by Alice Ripley. It’s entirely text-based, without graphics or sound effects, and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination. The prestigious Society for the Advancement of Individuals of Superlative Talent and the Protection of the Queen has invited you to become their newest member! But on the very day the Society plans to initiate you, unknown Villains destroy the Society headquarters and kidnap your colleagues! As the sole remaining full member of the Superlative Society, you must initiate new recruits to investigate the abduction. Meet your team: Nimble—faster than lightning; Wailer—a "banshee" with sharp blades and sonic shriek attacks; Arturek—the gruff Martian warrior; Tua—a Venusian who commands the power of plants; and Black Orchid—a strangely familiar new recruit. Your efforts are bolstered by your faithful Clockwork assistant, Gatsby, and your always-butting-in rival, Hallow. Will your gain your team’s trust and convince them to work together, or will they fall apart under the pressure? Will you cut a deal with London’s Villains, or even turn the Society into Villains yourself? Will you trust the mysterious Dusk and Mr. Ink, who offer you help, or will you uncover their many secrets? • Play as male, female, or nonbinary; gay, straight, bisexual, asexual, or aromantic • Draw power from your preternatural nature, alien heritage, or genius gadgets • Protect the Earth from torrential aetherfalls • Keep your identity secret from your nosy landlady, Mrs. Rathbone • Negotiate with minute Mercurian monarchs (Mercurians stand only four inches tall) • Push your teammates to transcend their origins or pursue their destiny • Foil the Nefarious Clockwork Contraptions of Dr. Eisengeist and discover his origins Don your mask, take to the skies, and God save the Queen!