Fit check
Is The Road to Canterbury worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- Readers of text-based historical fiction who want choices to determine political outcomes
- Players who enjoy branching romances and flexible character identities
- Chaucer enthusiasts who want an interactive journey through the world of Canterbury Tales
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players seeking graphics, sound effects, or action-focused combat will hit the text-only format immediately
- Players wanting a short, linear story may find the 175,000-word branching structure too demanding
- Players looking for a visual medieval adventure rather than an interactive novel may not find the presentation suitable
Our take on The Road to Canterbury
The bounce point arrives at the presentation itself: players expecting medieval combat, travel, or romance to appear on screen will encounter written choices without graphics or sound effects. The text-only format requires sustained reading before the branching political, romantic, and personal outcomes become clear.
What is The Road to Canterbury?
The Road to Canterbury is a 175,000-word interactive adventure novel set in London and along the medieval route from Southwark to Canterbury in 1375.
Players take the role of a young pauper on a secret mission involving Philippa de Roet, Geoffrey Chaucer, and the dying Black Prince. Choices shape the journey, personal relationships, political loyalties, and the outcome of the Hundred Years' War. The story includes encounters with raiders and knights, an assassin, a peasants' revolt, a quest, a joust, a trial by combat, and a storytelling contest. Character options include male, female, or non-binary identities and several sexual and romantic orientations. Possible paths include becoming a knight, an abbey leader, or a figure in London's merchant guilds.
How The Road to Canterbury plays
- 01Branching Story
- Player decisions influence the journey, political events, relationships, and the war between England and France.
- 02Text-Only Presentation
- The 175,000-word adventure uses written narrative without graphics or sound effects.
- 03Character Identity Options
- The protagonist can be male, female, or non-binary, with gay, straight, bisexual, asexual, and/or aromantic identities.
- 04Multiple Social Paths
- Possible outcomes include becoming a knight, leading an abbey, or gaining influence in London's merchant guilds.
- 05Historical Mission
- The protagonist travels with Philippa de Roet and Geoffrey Chaucer while attempting to alter Philippa's politics.
The Road to Canterbury compared to similar games
Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition presents its unconventional RPG story through exploration of a dangerous city, while The Road to Canterbury is entirely text-based and follows a branching historical journey. Back to the Dawn combines prison escape, fighting, investigation, and survival in a maximum-security facility; The Road to Canterbury instead centers on choices, political persuasion, relationships, and a storytelling contest.
The Road to Canterbury: platforms & release
Is The Road to Canterbury worth it?
It is worth it if: readers of text-based historical fiction who want choices to determine political outcomes. Skip it if: players seeking graphics, sound effects, or action-focused combat will hit the text-only format immediately.
Where can I download The Road to Canterbury?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens The Road to Canterbury's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is The Road to Canterbury on?
Windows, macOS and Linux.
