Pendragon Rising

Pendragon Rising is an interactive, text-based novel set in a Dark Ages Celtic fantasy version of Europe. Players embark on a journey as Arthur, or as the alternate female protagonist Arta, to guide their chosen leader’s rise amidst the Saxon invasion threatening Britain’s existence. The game emphasizes player choices, which influence character stats and the unfolding narrative, leading to a variety of outcomes in this epic tale of destiny and leadership.

Pendragon Rising: A Textual Throne in the Dark Ages

1. Introduction

In an industry increasingly dominated by hyper-realistic graphics and expansive open worlds, there exists a quiet, yet profoundly impactful, corner where the most potent engine remains the human imagination. Pendragon Rising, an interactive novel released in 2015 by Choice of Games LLC, is a testament to this enduring power. Eschewing visual spectacle for narrative depth, it plunges players into the tumultuous Dark Ages of Britain, offering a uniquely intimate and choice-driven interpretation of the Arthurian legend. As a title within Choice of Games’ prolific library, Pendragon Rising builds upon a legacy of interactive fiction, challenging players to not merely read a story, but to live it. This review will delve into the intricate tapestry of its creation, narrative ambition, mechanical execution, and lasting influence, ultimately assessing its indelible mark on the landscape of video game history.

2. Development History & Context

Pendragon Rising emerged from the innovative forge of Choice of Games LLC, a studio that has carved out a distinct niche in the gaming world by specializing in interactive novels. Founded on the principle that player choice and a compelling narrative are paramount, Choice of Games both developed and published this title, reinforcing their consistent vision. The game’s author, Ian Thomas, crafted the extensive 112,000-word script, a monumental task that underscores the game’s ambition as a purely textual experience.

The core technology powering Pendragon Rising, like many Choice of Games titles, is ChoiceScript. This open-source language is designed specifically for writing text-based interactive novels, allowing for complex branching narratives, stat tracking, and dynamic text generation without the need for traditional graphical assets or elaborate programming. This engine inherently dictates the “technological constraints” of the game, though it’s more accurate to frame them as deliberate design philosophies. The game is “entirely text-based—without graphics or sound effects—and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination,” as its description proudly states. This commitment to text over visual flourish is a defining characteristic of the studio’s output.

At the time of its release in December 2015, Pendragon Rising found itself in a dynamic gaming landscape. It launched across a remarkable array of platforms: Android, iPad, Linux, Windows, Macintosh, and iPhone. This multi-platform approach, particularly its strong presence on mobile devices, highlights a period of significant growth for mobile gaming, where the accessibility and pick-up-and-play nature of interactive fiction found a receptive audience. While blockbusters with cutting-edge visuals like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Fallout 4 dominated headlines that year, Pendragon Rising quietly carved out its own space, demonstrating the continued viability and appeal of text-driven experiences. It wasn’t competing for graphical fidelity, but for narrative engrossment, targeting a segment of players who prioritized storytelling and player agency above all else.

3. Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

The narrative of Pendragon Rising is a fresh, Celtic-infused interpretation of the timeless King Arthur legend, set against the grim backdrop of the Dark Ages. The central plot revolves around the player character, Arthur, as they strive to unite a fractured Britain against the encroaching Saxon threat and a more insidious “demon-tainted enemy.” As the bastard offspring of the aging ruler Pendragon, the player’s primary goal is to “seize the throne” and “claim the crown you deserve,” fighting not just for personal ascendancy but for the very existence of Britain. The “rise of King Arthur” is therefore not merely a personal journey, but a desperate struggle for national survival.

The game’s characters are primarily encountered through text, with their personalities and motivations revealed through narrative exposition and dialogue choices. The player embodies Arthur (or Arta, as discussed below), making them the central figure around whom alliances are forged and loyalties tested. Key supporting figures include “childhood companion” and “closest friends,” whose relationships with the protagonist can be deepened or strained by player decisions. The game excels in presenting these relationships as dynamic, with choices actively shaping their evolution. Winning over “allies to swell the ranks of your army” is a crucial element, emphasizing the political and social dimensions of leadership.

Dialogue is the lifeblood of Pendragon Rising, as it is for all interactive novels. The game’s 112,000-word script ensures a rich textual experience, where every choice is presented as an integral part of the narrative flow. While there isn’t traditional voice acting or visual queues, the quality of the prose must carry the weight of character expression, plot development, and emotional resonance. Player input directly affects how conversations unfold, allowing for distinct approaches to diplomacy, intimidation, or empathy.

The underlying themes are numerous and deeply interwoven:

• Leadership and Succession: The central thrust is the player’s ascent to power. As the “bastard offspring,” Arthur/Arta must prove their worthiness to lead, not just by birthright but by deed. The title “Pendragon of Britain” signifies the ultimate prize and responsibility.
• Identity and Gender Roles: A remarkably progressive feature for a 2015 title, Pendragon Rising allows players to select the gender of the main character at the start. Playing as Arta offers an “alternate version of the game… in a world where the women are warriors and the men support them.” This isn’t a mere cosmetic change but a significant thematic exploration of gender roles, power dynamics, and societal expectations within the Arthurian mythos. It challenges traditional patriarchal narratives, offering a fresh perspective on heroism.
• War and Survival: The imminent threat from the Saxons and “foreign invaders and their sinister magics” forms the existential crisis that drives the plot. The game is steeped in “a dark background of war,” where the player must “lead an army of Britons” and “hold the line” against overwhelming odds to “drive back the darkness.”
• Morality and Governance: Player choices often hinge on ethical dilemmas. Will the protagonist be “mercenary or merciful? Seductive or solitary?” These decisions not only define the character’s personality but also have tangible impacts on the game world and its inhabitants, shaping the kind of ruler Arthur/Arta becomes.
• Heroism and Legend: Earning “the acclaim of your people by performing heroic deeds that will turn your name into legend” is a core aspiration. The game explores what it means to be a hero in a time of desperate need, and how individual actions contribute to the forging of enduring myths.
• Choice and Consequence: This is the bedrock of the interactive novel genre. Every decision “change[s] the path through the story, changing underlying stats that lead to different outcomes and descriptions.” This ensures that the narrative feels reactive and personal, rewarding careful consideration and encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore divergent paths.

The rich text and emphasis on player choice allow for a deep exploration of these themes, making Pendragon Rising a compelling and thought-provoking narrative experience that transcends the limitations of its purely textual presentation.

4. Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

At its heart, Pendragon Rising is an interactive fiction / text adventure game, categorized broadly as a “choose your own adventure.” The core gameplay loop is straightforward yet engaging: players read segments of narrative text and then make choices from a presented list of options. These choices are the primary mode of interaction, propelling the story forward and shaping its trajectory. The game explicitly states it is “entirely text-based,” meaning there are no traditional visual or auditory gameplay elements.

Combat in Pendragon Rising is entirely narrative-driven. There are no turn-based systems or real-time action sequences. Instead, the player’s choices determine their approach to conflict: one might “charge heroically to the front of battle,” relying on brute force and courage, or “use tricks to defeat your foes,” implying a more cunning or strategic methodology. The success or failure of these approaches is then relayed through descriptive text, influenced by the character’s accumulated stats. This system maintains the narrative flow while still providing a sense of agency in critical moments.

Character progression is a fundamental aspect, managed through RPG elements and a hidden stat system. Player choices directly impact “underlying stats that lead to different outcomes and descriptions.” Specifically, the game features nine different character traits that can be influenced, such as “cunning or rather daredevil, compassionate or unscrupulous.” These traits define the player’s iteration of Arthur/Arta, allowing them to evolve into an “unmatched warrior, a silver-tongued diplomat, or an inspirational leader,” depending on their decisions. This system encourages role-playing and strategic decision-making, as specific traits might open or close certain narrative paths or dialogue options.

The User Interface (UI) is, by necessity, minimalist and text-focused. Players navigate through the story primarily by selecting text options. For platforms like PC, keyboard shortcuts enhance usability: ‘J’ for Next Option, ‘K’ for Previous Option, ‘Enter’ to advance (Press and Hold), ‘Q’ to Show Stats, and ‘W’ for Menu. On mobile devices, the “Touch Screen” is the primary input device. This streamlined UI ensures that nothing distracts from the immersive act of reading and decision-making.

In terms of innovative or flawed systems:
* Innovation: The most innovative mechanic is arguably the gender-swapping protagonist, allowing players to choose between Arthur and Arta, with the latter altering the world’s societal norms. This is a significant design choice that offers substantial replay value and a fresh perspective on a classic myth. The deep branching narrative and the impact of choices on nine distinct character traits also provide a high degree of replay value, further bolstered by 29 Steam Achievements that encourage players to explore different paths and endings.
* Flaws: Some player reviews point to perceived weaknesses. One common critique is the presence of “obligatory choices,” where “you know that if you do not take the logical trick your part ends.” This can lead to a feeling of being “held by the hand” and that there isn’t “really freedom in our choices” in some crucial moments, limiting “radically different endings.” Another review noted that “sometimes, however, the Impact of a Decision turns out to be rather arbitrary and fatal,” leading to unexpected and sometimes frustrating consequences, such as a “dramatic Collapse of diplomatic capabilities by a wrong decision.” While Choice of Games titles are known for their often harsh consequences, these instances can detract from the sense of meaningful agency if not clearly foreshadowed.

Despite these minor criticisms, the core mechanics of Pendragon Rising successfully deliver on the promise of interactive fiction, immersing players through the power of text and choice.

5. World-Building, Art & Sound

The world-building in Pendragon Rising is entirely constructed through its extensive 112,000-word script. The setting is a “Dark Ages Celtic fantasy” version of “medieval Britain,” a period of historical tumult often mythologized. The narrative vividly describes the struggle against the Saxons, casting them as a looming existential threat, and introduces a more fantastical “demon-tainted enemy” and “sinister magics,” blending historical fiction with traditional fantasy elements. This textual richness allows for a detailed and evocative depiction of the landscapes, political machinations, and cultural nuances of this era, painting a picture far more intricate than any pre-rendered graphic could convey for its particular niche.

The atmosphere is consistently described as a “dark background of war.” This permeates the story, instilling a sense of urgency, danger, and the desperate fight for survival. The constant threat from invaders and supernatural forces creates a tense, heroic mood, where every decision carries significant weight for the fate of Britain. The “Celtic take” on the Arthurian story lends a distinct flavor, presumably incorporating elements of Gaelic mythology and a more rugged, less chivalric interpretation of the medieval period than some classic retellings.

In terms of art and sound, Pendragon Rising famously (or infamously, depending on player preference) offers none in the traditional video game sense. It is “entirely text-based–without graphics or sound effects.” This isn’t a deficiency; rather, it’s a deliberate artistic choice and a core tenet of Choice of Games’ philosophy. The game posits that it is “fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination.”

This absence of explicit visual and auditory design is, paradoxically, a powerful contributor to the overall experience. By stripping away external sensory input, the game forces the player to engage their own mind to visualize the battlefields, hear the clash of steel, and feel the emotional weight of character interactions. Each player’s experience is therefore uniquely personalized, rendered through the lens of their own internal “graphics engine” and “sound card.” The strength of the prose and the evocative nature of Ian Thomas’s writing become paramount, as they are the sole carriers of the game’s aesthetic and emotional punch. The lack of pre-defined imagery allows for greater imaginative freedom, potentially leading to a deeper, more personal connection with the unfolding drama than highly detailed, yet static, graphics might allow.

6. Reception & Legacy

Upon its release in December 2015, Pendragon Rising garnered a “Very Positive” reception on Steam, with 80% of 92 user reviews being favorable, culminating in a Steambase Player Score of 79/100 from 96 total reviews. Critical reception, while limited in number, was generally positive. TouchArcade gave the iOS version a score of 70/100, recommending it for those “looking for a well-written story and don’t mind sacrificing some of the usual customization found in Choice Of Games releases.” MobyGames, while not offering an aggregate Moby Score, did not register any negative critic reviews.

Player reviews often lauded the game’s immersive narrative and high replayability. Many appreciated the depth of the “well-written story” and the ability to influence character traits and outcomes. The unique gender-swapping option (Arthur/Arta) was frequently highlighted as a standout feature, adding significant value and thematic exploration. Players also found satisfaction in pursuing various paths to achieve the numerous Steam achievements, further extending the game’s life.

However, some player feedback indicated areas for improvement. As noted in the Gameplay section, critiques occasionally surfaced regarding “obligatory choices” that could lead to a feeling of being “held by the hand” or that “the impact of a Decision turns out to be rather arbitrary and fatal” in some instances. One reviewer expressed a desire for more “radically different endings,” implying a degree of perceived linearity despite the branching narrative.

Commercially, Pendragon Rising was available for $4.99 on Steam and initially as freeware/free-to-play/public domain on Android, likely with in-app purchases or a premium unlock, a common business model for Choice of Games on mobile platforms. Its inclusion in various Steam bundles, such as the “Choice of Games Sword and Sorcery Bundle,” “Choice of Games Literary Bundle,” and the comprehensive “Every Game from Choice of Games,” indicates a consistent presence in the digital storefront and a strategy to reach broader audiences.

Pendragon Rising‘s legacy is primarily situated within the specialized genre of interactive fiction, and specifically within the broader Choice of Games ecosystem.
* Reinforcement of the Genre: It stands as a strong example of how text-based games can thrive in a modern, visually-driven market, validating Choice of Games’ core premise. It demonstrates that deep narrative, character development, and meaningful player agency can be achieved without traditional multimedia elements.
* Progressive Storytelling: The inclusion of Arta, a female warrior protagonist in a male-dominated Arthurian mythos, adapting the world to her role, is a significant and influential design choice. It showcases how interactive fiction can be a powerful vehicle for exploring diverse perspectives and challenging historical gender norms within established folklore. This approach has since become a hallmark of many CoG titles, emphasizing player freedom in identity.
* Contribution to Arthurian Lore in Games: While countless games have tackled King Arthur, Pendragon Rising‘s Celtic fantasy approach and its focus on the “rise” rather than the established reign, coupled with a dark, war-torn setting, offers a distinct and memorable contribution to the digital adaptations of the legend.
* Replayability Model: The game’s emphasis on stats, choices leading to different outcomes, and extensive achievements further solidified the Choice of Games model for encouraging multiple playthroughs, a critical element for the value proposition of interactive fiction.

While it may not possess the widespread recognition of a graphically ambitious RPG, Pendragon Rising holds a significant place in the annals of interactive fiction, influencing both its niche genre and demonstrating the enduring power of the written word in gaming.

7. Conclusion

Pendragon Rising stands as a compelling and intricate entry in the interactive novel genre, a vibrant testament to the narrative possibilities achievable when imagination is the primary interface. Its strengths are manifold: a deeply engaging, 112,000-word narrative that re-imagines the Arthurian legend with a Celtic, Dark Ages grit; a robust choice-and-consequence system that impacts character traits and story outcomes; and, most notably, its innovative inclusion of a gender-swapped protagonist (Arta) whose presence reshapes the societal fabric of its world. The game’s commitment to being “entirely text-based” forces a profound level of player engagement, making each individual’s journey uniquely personal and vividly imagined.

However, the game is not without its minor weaknesses. Some players found instances of “obligatory choices” that could feel restrictive, and the impact of certain decisions occasionally came across as arbitrary, momentarily disrupting the sense of absolute player freedom. While the replay value is high due to branching paths and achievements, some wished for a greater number of “radically different endings” to truly diverge from a perceived core narrative arc.

Despite these minor quibbles, Pendragon Rising solidifies its place as a significant contribution to both interactive fiction and the sprawling mythos of King Arthur in video games. It masterfully leverages the strengths of its chosen medium, proving that visual fidelity is secondary to narrative depth and meaningful player agency. For historians of gaming, it represents a continued evolution of text adventures, demonstrating their sustained relevance and capacity for complex, character-driven storytelling. For fans of immersive narratives and deep role-playing, it offers a challenging and rewarding journey into a world where your choices truly forge a legend. Ultimately, Pendragon Rising is a shining example of how, even in the age of digital spectacle, the mightiest sword a hero can wield might just be the pen.