Life of a Mercenary

In ‘Life of a Mercenary’, players assume the role of a mercenary navigating a medieval world, making critical choices that drive the narrative and shape relationships with companions like Anne and Arlo. This text-based interactive fiction game blends RPG elements with decision-driven gameplay, where stats such as Strength, Agility, Intelligence, and Diplomacy evolve through missions, dilemmas involving characters like Vera, and strategic alliances, all set against a backdrop of warfare, banditry, and personal ambition.

Life of a Mercenary: A Comprehensive Review

Introduction

Life of a Mercenary is a standout title in the realm of interactive fiction, blending the depth of a role-playing game with the narrative richness of a fantasy novel. Released in 2018 by Hosted Games LLC, this text-based adventure offers players an immersive experience where choices shape the fate of a mercenary company in a medieval world. With a staggering 338,000 words of content, the game promises a sprawling, branching narrative that rewards exploration and strategic decision-making. This review will dissect the game’s development, narrative, gameplay mechanics, world-building, and legacy, ultimately assessing its place in gaming history.

Development History & Context

The Studio and Creators

Life of a Mercenary was developed by Hosted Games LLC, a studio known for its interactive fiction titles. The game was written by Philip Kempton, with contributions from Brad Warner (“J”) on copy editing and Dan Fabulich on ChoiceScript development. Kempton’s previous works, such as The Great Tournament, share thematic and narrative elements with Life of a Mercenary, suggesting a cohesive world-building approach across his projects.

Technological Constraints and the Gaming Landscape

Released in an era dominated by visually rich, AAA titles, Life of a Mercenary stands out as a text-based adventure, a genre that has seen a resurgence in indie and niche markets. The game’s use of ChoiceScript, a simple programming language for interactive novels, allowed for a focus on narrative depth rather than graphical fidelity. This choice was likely influenced by the studio’s background in interactive fiction and the growing popularity of text-based games on platforms like Choice of Games.

The gaming landscape in 2018 was marked by a surge in indie titles that prioritized storytelling and player agency. Games like 80 Days and The House of Da Vinci demonstrated the potential of narrative-driven experiences, paving the way for Life of a Mercenary to find its audience.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot and Characters

The game’s narrative revolves around the player’s character, a mercenary leader tasked with building and managing a company in a medieval setting. The story unfolds around the events of The Great Tournament, suggesting a shared universe with Kempton’s other works. Players can choose to align with honorable causes or pursue profit, with decisions impacting relationships, reputation, and the fate of the kingdom.

Key characters include Anne and Arlo, fellow mercenaries whose relationships with the player evolve based on choices. For instance, helping Anne train Vera or intervening in conflicts can strengthen or strain these bonds. The game’s branching narrative ensures that no two playthroughs are alike, with multiple storylines, hidden quests, and endings.

Themes and Dialogue

The game explores themes of loyalty, morality, and the cost of power. Players must navigate complex decisions, such as whether to aid a village or accept a lucrative contract from a dubious employer. The dialogue is rich and reflective of the medieval setting, with choices often requiring diplomatic or combat skills.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loops

Life of a Mercenary combines elements of interactive fiction and RPG mechanics. Players manage a mercenary company, taking on contracts, upgrading their stronghold, and engaging in combat. The game’s unique leveling system allows players to improve their character’s stats, such as Strength, Agility, and Diplomacy, through various actions.

Combat and Progression

Combat is resolved through skill checks, with success depending on the player’s attributes and equipment. The game’s checkpoint system allows players to save progress and restore to previous points, encouraging experimentation with different choices.

User Interface and Accessibility

The interface is straightforward, with menu structures and point-and-select options. The text-based nature of the game makes it accessible to a wide audience, though the lack of graphics may deter some players.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

The game’s medieval setting is brought to life through detailed descriptions and lore. Players explore cities, castles, and battlefields, with each location contributing to the immersive atmosphere. The absence of graphics is mitigated by vivid prose, allowing players to visualize the world.

Art and Sound Design

As a text-based game, Life of a Mercenary relies on the player’s imagination for visuals. However, the game’s use of stock images for illustrations adds a layer of visual context. The lack of sound effects or music is a notable omission, though it aligns with the game’s minimalist approach.

Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Reception

Life of a Mercenary received positive reviews from players, with a Steam Player Score of 86/100 based on 14 reviews. Critics praised the game’s depth, replayability, and engaging narrative. The game’s commercial success was modest but steady, with releases on multiple platforms, including Android, Linux, Windows, and macOS.

Influence on Subsequent Games

The game’s success contributed to the growing popularity of text-based adventures in the 2020s. Its use of ChoiceScript and focus on player agency influenced other interactive fiction titles, demonstrating the viability of narrative-driven games in a visually oriented market.

Conclusion

Life of a Mercenary is a testament to the enduring appeal of text-based adventures. Its rich narrative, complex decision-making, and immersive world-building make it a standout title in the interactive fiction genre. While its lack of graphics and sound may limit its appeal to some, the game’s depth and replayability ensure its place in gaming history. For fans of storytelling and strategy, Life of a Mercenary is a must-play experience that showcases the power of player agency in shaping a medieval epic.