Episode Interactive, launched in 2013 by Pocket Gems, quickly set itself apart in the mobile storytelling world. The app embraced a “choose-your-own-adventure” format, allowing readers to shape each story’s path through their choices. It was groundbreaking at the time, especially for a mobile platform. Episode didn’t just present characters and story lines; it brought them to life, offering an interactive experience that was hard to find elsewhere. Players could step into the lives of different characters, making decisions that influenced how the story would unfold—an exciting departure from typical, linear visual novels. As most readers would agree, the use of sprites are entertaining but with them being able to move, walk, talk and eat? That would be a whole new experience.
Episode Interactive Review
In 2015, Pocket Gems took a bold step by introducing the Writer’s Portal, which put Episode Interactive as one of the pacesetters for other interactive apps. This addition turned Episode into more than just a storytelling app; it became a creative platform where readers could become writers, crafting their own narratives. The Writer’s Portal allowed users to create stories with or without needing advanced coding skills, making it accessible for people of all experience levels. It also offered a fun learning experience once the writer became more skilled in coding, allowing the limit to be their creativity. For the first time, fans could use Episode’s tools—like scripting, animations, and custom backgrounds—to tell their own stories and share them with the world. This opened up a whole new universe of content on the app, as the community itself started creating a vast array of narratives that were as unique as the authors behind them. Although, this also had a flip side to it as plots for stories became overused and what took writers by the storm were toxic relationships, mafia stories and teenage pregnancies. Decades after, in order to get to a good story, you might have to sift through some cliches.
When comparing official stories with the stories created by the community, there is a stark difference and it’s clear they each bring something different to the platform. Official stories from Episode are often shorter, usually no more than 12 episodes, and sometimes the choices within these feel a bit “ludicrous” or predictable. Many of these official choices also come with gem costs—Episode’s in-app currency—making some players feel that the choices are more about generating revenue than genuinely influencing the story. On the other hand, community stories have become the real heart of Episode. Community writers bring such a wide range of styles and themes that readers can find stories across every genre, from romance to fantasy to thrillers to drama and so on. This is especially engaging when the author is great at storytelling, (if you want some recommendations, let me know down below). Some of these community stories are incredibly detailed and feature well-developed characters, branching plots, and unexpected twists, proving that fans often create some of the most engaging stories. The more engaging plots are found during contests which are organized by Episode Interactive, luckily they can still be found if your favorite stories win the contest, giving you the opportunity to replay as much as you want (actually, there is a limit on replay, you would not be able to do this in double digits).
Graphics And Animations
Episode’s graphics have also come a long way since 2014. The characters are now much more expressive and detailed, almost giving a sense of 3D realism, which adds to the immersive quality of the app. The addition of over 200 animations has allowed authors to give their stories a more dynamic feel, with characters showing a wide range of emotions and even interacting with moving pets and horses. This evolving visual style is one of the things that keeps readers coming back, as it enhances the overall storytelling experience. With creativity, some authors have even managed to develop their own sophisticated story arcs and relationship continuities, making the choices feel meaningful and the characters’ journeys richer. One of the downsides to this app would be the list of official stories a newcomer has to go through when they download the app. Before they can unlock the community stories, they would have to read the official stories as well, up to 12 chapters combined. So buckle up, because once you’re through, you will be in for a joyride.
Ultimate Experience
To make the experience even more engaging, around 75% of stories on Episode include background music and sound effects, which really help pull readers into the story—especially if they’re using headphones. This subtle layer of immersion makes every scene a bit more cinematic, letting the reader feel the suspense, excitement, or drama with each twist.
However, the apps monetization strategies do pose a challenge for some users. To enable their stories for monetization, many authors are required to include premium gem choices. While this is understandable from a business perspective, some readers feel it can disrupt the natural flow of the story and feel forced or overbearing. But when this is done at the end of the story, it makes the reader enjoy the story to the end and want to leave a token of their appreciation by supporting through gem choices which say ‘support me’. It is noteworthy that ads are fairly common on the app, which, though they help keep the platform free for casual readers, can sometimes be intrusive, especially during tense story moments.
One interesting fact which has both sides of the coin in community debates is the use of art scenes, one being that if full customization is allowed, then there would be no point, another set appreciate the use of these scenes as it makes the experience better for them. When it comes to customization, most of the time it is done fully and with a wide range, (from hair, nose, eyes, to body shape/weight, face shape and lips) and it can be limited if it makes use of the former mentioned above or it has something to do with the plot.
Conclusion
The app offers a true interactive storytelling experience, letting readers spend hours exploring the worlds created by writers from all over the globe. Whether it’s a suspense-filled mystery or a lighthearted romance, Episode offers stories for everyone, and that’s what makes it special. The app is a creative playground where readers can lose themselves in the stories, or, if they feel inspired, pick up the pen (in this case, the laptop) and create their own. It’s this mix of freedom, creativity, and interactivity that has kept Episode a fan favorite and an inspiring storytelling platform for nearly a decade. This apps over the highest number of stories per genre among the other apps, although it is mostly prevalent in community based stories. It is interesting to point out that Episode Interactive is receiving backlash due to the poor treatment of authors and almost silly official stories. The question is, would they do something about it?
