Heart of the House is an interactive Gothic novel-style game made for Android devices. You play as an orphan with the ability to talk to spirits. When your uncle disappears, you investigate Darnecroy Manor - a haunted mansion that seems to change and shift around you. Unlike many games with flashy graphics or action, this one is entirely text-based: you make choices, follow the story, explore the mansion, interact with ghosts, and make decisions that shape your fate.
About
The game is published by Choice of Games LLC and written by Nissa Campbell. Key points:
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It has approximately 360,000 words of story.
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The setting is a haunted manor, full of ghosts, mysterious servants, an enigmatic master, and shifting spaces.
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It lets you play as male, female, or non-binary; and your character's romantic orientation can be gay, straight, bi, ace, or poly.
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The game emphasises storytelling, atmosphere and choice rather than heavy gameplay mechanics.
Features
Here are some of the standout features of the game:
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Deep choice-based gameplay: Every decision you make in the story affects how things unfold - who you become, who you ally with, whether you fight evil or embrace it.
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Switchable identity & relationships: You can define your character's gender and orientation, allowing for inclusive stories.
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Exploration of a "living" mansion: The setting itself is almost a character - rooms shift, corridors change, ghosts linger everywhere.
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Multiple endings: Depending on your choices, you might escape, become part of the house's horror, save or lose others.
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Text-only style: No graphics or sound effects - the game relies on your imagination and the writing to build mood.
What's New in the Latest Version
In the latest version of the game (version 1.0.24) the update primarily consists of bug-fixes and stability improvements. For example:
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Fixes for lost progress when the app goes into the background.
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General improvements to user experience. If you already play the game, it's a good idea to update so you don't run into bugs that were present in older versions.
How to Download and Install
Here's a general guide (for Android) on how to download and install the game. Important: always use trusted sources (e.g., Google Play) for safety.
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Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
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Search for "Heart of the House" by Choice of Games LLC. You should see the listing.
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Tap Install and wait for it to download.
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Once installed, open the game and allow whatever permissions it asks (generally minimal).
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If you are using an APK (outside of Play Store), you'll need to enable "Install from Unknown Sources" in your Android settings. Then download the APK file, tap it, and follow the prompts. (Be cautious: APKs from unofficial sites may carry risks.)
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After installation, launch the game and begin your story.
Conclusion
Heart of the House is a rich, atmospheric interactive novel that offers something different from typical mobile games. If you enjoy:
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story-driven games where your choices matter,
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gothic or horror-tinged settings,
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inclusive character options,
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and don't mind reading more than action gameplay -
then this game is a strong choice. On the flip side: if you prefer fast-paced gameplay, strong visuals, or action mechanics, this might feel slower or lighter in terms of "game-play."
Overall, if you're seeking an immersive story experience on your phone, Heart of the House delivers a haunting tale you'll remember.