1. Eat Me by Chandler Groover (2017) Average member rating: (108 ratings)
Max Fog says:
Such a grotesquely brilliant game. The writing is evocative and powerful. If you have a strong stomach and can endure cannibalism in a weird way, PLEASE play this game.
Steve Meretzky may be known for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but personally I prefer this one. Its humour is like Monty Python, and the puzzles are honestly really clever and enjoyable.
I beta tested this game, but this isn't a competition, so I'd say it's fair to put this up here. I've seen this game evolve from the very start, and I can say this is one of the finest games I've ever played. I should be grateful to have been a beta tester.
4. Repeat the Ending by Drew Cook (2023) Average member rating: (29 ratings)
Max Fog says:
Okay, TECHNICALLY I signed up to be a betatester, but I never played it. Not until after Spring Thing had closed. And admittedly, I regret waiting. D's and Brad's characters were really well written (yes, Brad for me was also very well developed), and the writing in general is just so clever. This is the piece that got me interested in writing "meta-IF".
5. Birdland by Brendan Patrick Hennessy (2015) Average member rating: (161 ratings)
Max Fog says:
Loved this. Just clean, funny, and relatable characters. Probably the best UI of all the games here, and great story. Nearly perfect.
6. Suspended by Michael Berlyn (1983) Average member rating: (44 ratings)
Max Fog says:
I'm very impressed with this game. It takes something incredibly dark, that reminded me of that short story, "The Lottery", regarding Suspended's in-game context. And it may be an awfully confusing and difficult game, if you have the feelies printed out big enough and a hella lot of time and patience, this is worth it.
I did beta-test this game, and it's probably one of the biggest games of all of IF. It's literally enormous. And yet, somehow, unlike many other sprawling IF games like it (even those that are smaller), it's got an amazing level of implementation, and the titular NPC is funny and has a lot to say depending on the situation at hand. Best NPC-worthy.
8. Trinity by Brian Moriarty (1986) Average member rating: (106 ratings)
Max Fog says:
Trinity pulls a serious matter which, at the time, was a real fear for many - and makes a fantasy game with crazy ideas in it. Especially the last section, the endgame. Don't miss the endgame. Just save beforehand, please.
9. Bureaucracy by Douglas Adams, The Staff of Infocom (1987) Average member rating: (47 ratings)
Max Fog says:
This game is, unknown to most, pretty much THE most complex and complicated game in the history of Infocom (in terms of code). In that way, it is a certain masterpiece, despite being kind of annoying to play. But it was probably the first IF piece to make me laugh aloud.
10. I Am Prey by Joey Tanden (2023) Average member rating: (11 ratings)
Max Fog says:
This one has cool mechanics, and really well designed. The Predator is an interesting character and I would say is Best NPC-worthy too.
11. Counterfeit Monkey by Emily Short (2012) Average member rating: (256 ratings)
Max Fog says:
Of course, how couldn't I put this one? It has so much content, and it's so well done, the breath AND depth. It's Counterfeit Monkey!
12. The Impossible Bottle by Linus Åkesson (2020) Average member rating: (84 ratings)
Max Fog says:
The implementation of the house is honestly such a cool idea, amd the puzzles are fun as well. The feeling of the game is complete, which I can't say for many games.
13. Cragne Manor by Ryan Veeder, Jenni Polodna et al.Show other authorsAdam Whybray, Adri, Andrew Plotkin, Andy Holloway, Austin Auclair, Baldur Brückner, Ben Collins-Sussman, Bill Maya, Brian Rushton, Buster Hudson, Caleb Wilson, Carl Muckenhoupt, Chandler Groover, Chris Jones, Christopher Conley, Damon L. Wakes, Daniel Ravipinto, Daniel Stelzer, David Jose, David Petrocco, David Sturgis, Drew Mochak, Edward B, Emily Short, Erica Newman, Feneric, Finn Rosenløv, Gary Butterfield, Gavin Inglis, Greg Frost, Hanon Ondricek, Harkness Munt, Harrison Gerard, Ian Holmes, Ivan Roth, Jack Welch, Jacqueline Ashwell, James Eagle, Jason Dyer, Jason Lautzenheiser, Jason Love, Jeremy Freese, Joey Jones, Joshua Porch, Justin de Vesine, Justin Melvin, Katherine Morayati, Kenneth Pedersen, Lane Puetz, Llew Mason, Lucian Smith, Marco Innocenti, Marius Müller, Mark Britton, Mark Sample, Marshal Tenner Winter, Matt Schneider, Matt Weiner, Matthew Korson, Michael Fessler, Michael Gentry, Michael Hilborn, Michael Lin, Mike Spivey, Molly Ying, Monique Padelis, Naomi Hinchen, Nate Edwards, Petter Sjölund, Q Pheevr, Rachel Spitler, Reed Lockwood, Reina Adair, Riff Conner, Roberto Colnaghi, Rowan Lipkovits, Sam Kabo Ashwell, Scott Hammack, Sean M. Shore, Shin, Wade Clarke, Zach Hodgens, Zack Johnson (2018) Average member rating: (26 ratings)
Max Fog says:
Yes. Just yes. Yeah, it's massive, but setting such a thing up? I always loved the idea of a collab. So seeing it actually in real form is just simply wonderful.
14. Coloratura by Lynnea Glasser (2013) Average member rating: (115 ratings)
Max Fog says:
Beautiful piece of work. Really gets you into the mind of the being, almost fron the beginning. It never TELLS you specifically what to do. But you just know.
15. Absence of Law by mathbrush (2017) Average member rating: (49 ratings)
Max Fog says:
Takes three funny concepts and makes you explore them connected, with clever puzzles and a fun take on lots of ideas. Honestly, it's an underappreciated game.
I am impressed with the breadth (is that a word?) of this game, and even though it is not entirely user friendly, it captivates you and makes it feel fun despite getting lost.
17. All Things Devours, by half sick of shadows (2004) Average member rating: (95 ratings) Max Fog says:
Such a simple idea, a simple story, with awesome puzzles. Gives you that sense of completion and makes you strive to get more. It's the kind of game I want to write.
18. Bogeyman by Elizabeth Smyth (2018) Average member rating: (83 ratings)
Max Fog says:
This game brings a fearful idea to life, and makes it much gritter and, well, kind of more realistic in a way than you want. I can't say for certain, though. It evokes strong feelings. Also, it's great for getting people into IF.
19. Hunter, in Darkness, by Andrew Plotkin (1999) Average member rating: (124 ratings) Max Fog says:
I know I've never mentioned this one, but it's an ingenious piece of fast paced IF, taking that "Hunt The Wumpus" and just tightening it into a great story.
20. SPY INTRIGUE by furkle (2015) Average member rating: (41 ratings)
