Orphan
is an adult Dark Fantasy CYOA set in a dying neo-Rome ruined by Sorcery, ruled by the Blade. Immerse yourself in an unforgiving world, full of violence, magic, sex and intrigue. Life in the Cradle is short, brutish and crude. Ruined nobles struggle for power amongst the shadows of a crumbling city-state teeming with sorcery, rampant slavery and corruption. And you... you're just a nobody.
For now
.
Spoiler
Marring the frigid surface of a doomed planet lies an impossibly massive crater, so wide that one could never hope to see the other side with their naked eye, or the crumbling edge high above. Looming in the dark abyss of space above, a purple gas giant seems close enough to touch, casting a luminous violet haze over much of the world.
Smothering one side of the bowl lies a sprawling city-state, Cradle, where rampant and relentless slavery fuels the day-to-day misery of the multiracial mass within. The cracked, cobbled streets descend far down into the earth, where the poorest and lowliest lie, steam seeping through a ruined labyrinth of pitch-black alleys and shadow-filled lairs.
Here begins a tale of a boy who had his destiny stolen away from him.
What follows determines whether or not he is able to steal it back.
Chapter 3.5 — The Refusal
What's New:
New Refusal branch.
Alternative endings.
22 new images.
25k+ new words.
Chapter 3.4 - Waking Wounds (big redux update)
Seductive Visuals — 17 new images.
Expanded Lewd Scene #1 — Goblin Thief (images + reactivity).
Expanded Lewd Scene #2 — The First Dream [Succubus] (images + improved).
Early-Game Rewrites & Academy Flow.
Sound + QoL / UI Polish (notifications, etc.)
Awakening (Light Theme) Fix — now playable in the intro.
Chapter 3.33 — End of Watch (January 16th, 2026)
End of Watch — the Night’s Watch concludes. New progression through the final hours of your shift with Lyco, closing out this chapter of Highrock and setting the tone for what comes next.
UI / Interface Overhaul — cleaner, sharper, more readable. Improvements across the main menu, sidebar presentation, and general flow, meant to make Orphan feel more deliberate from the first click onward.
Oh, and some of the character screens like the Mirror of Self look much sexier now. Check 'em out~
Polish & Bugfixes — tighter presentation, fewer rough edges.
Minor fixes and refinements throughout: small issues resolved, transitions improved, atmosphere reinforced.
Chapter 3.32 — The Price of Freedom (MAJOR UPDATE, December 31st, 2025)
50,000+ new words – the second biggest Orphan update in the same month as the first
15 new images – noblewomen, friends & foes, glimpses into Cradle
Alternative Endings – imprisonment, torture, glorious death in combat and more
Action-packed Escape Routes – Did you manage to escape House Varro? Want me to continue these routes?
Reunions with friends & females – Because I know you've missed them so much
Chapter 3.31 — First Contact (PREVIOUS, December 13th, 2025)
60,000+ new words – the biggest Orphan update so far
14 new images – dark elves, tempting noblewomen and busty courtesans
Interactive Ludus map + freeroam – a fully clickable, explorable hub
First Contact – a long, erotic & private balcony sequence
Huge, Branching Spar – test the champion's arm
Chapter 3.3
Cinematic intro – A branching ride from the auction block to Duchess Livia’s yard
New gladiators (the beginning of your cohort; a new threshold into the latest arc)
Arrival at Duke Varro’s Yard – First steps into the ludus, a new area to explore
The Doctore – Scar-latticed hobgoblin with a whip and a word of law. His rules aren't optional
Minor bugfixes – Mostly for the Stavrick fight, slowly hunting them down.
Chapter 3.2
Cinematic intro + extended character creation — 6 archetypes and the new Defy the Scale path. Choose your height, build, endowment, hair, tattoos, scars, and voice. Your body is now part of the text.
Night’s Watch — mid and late-phase progression — fresh beats with Gerwin’s uncertainty, new mysterious threads, and the setup for the night's finale.
Bathroom threesome — a full, steamy scene. Free for all players. (Patron-only: the long/thick variation lines in select branches.) Future variations are coming for all erotic scenes using the new character traits in upcoming versions.
Codex update — Aspects of the mage/Mearesdes plotline have been revised & reworked.
Polish & audio/UI — fixed the subtle heartbeat clip, improved sidebar/font contrast, choice icons for playability
Chapter 3.1
A big overhaul of the audio system, a bunch of yummy QoL fixes and overall improvements to the game's experience, and an expansion to the Academy route. However, the bulk of the update is a patron-exclusive scene w/ the goblin thief turned Highrock maid...
Chapter 3.0
Update length: ~26,000 new words (total: 209,200)
3 new images, extended fight scene w/ Stavrick
Gant’s sale, Khalika’s fate, and the full Auction block
Four branching buyer outcomes (Livia, Alesia, Novia, Sibylla)
Post-auction revelations leading into Duchess Livia’s gladiator ludus
Chapter 2.9
Extended erotic scene w/ Khalika (3 strong variations)
A completely overhauled main menu
New UI enhancements and polish
A fixed music system that now properly persists across saves and loads
20+ reworked passages for tone, clarity, and flow
A handful of new visuals to deepen immersion
Chapter 2.85
Private audience with
the Young Heiress
(Knight, Bastard, and Cowboy variations)
Post-scene reflection and banquet transition
Optional
Courtesan Encounter
(Dominant & Submissive paths —
Patron Exclusive
)
Update length: ~10,000 words (177.8k total)
Chapter 2.8
big UI overhaul (darker, more cosmic)
15,000+ new words across 30+ passages (167k words total)
new locations to explore throughout Highrock's dormitories.
rewritten & expanded Goblin Thief encounter
new music track & sound FX
7 new images, not including UI elements
Chapter 2.75
over 152,000 words total
35 new passages
two major scenes (Dream Sequence, First Morning), bugfixes & corrected typos
Chapter 2.6
141,000 words total
short scene in the Academy route
new UI, character sheet page, bugfixes & corrected typos
Chapter 2.5
brings Orphan to just under 140,000 words total
big expansion of the Gladiator route
more images, new characters introduced, spicy dialogue and dark worldbuilding
Chapter 2.2 -
Bug fixes and minor revision
Chapter 2
over 105,000 words!
The most expansive and responsive erotic scene yet
More images, more music, and more fight scenes
The storyline for the mage/ascender route has been massively expanded
Chapter 1.5
~60,000 words
4 erotic scenes
Remastered with a totally new and improved presentation
More images, music, sound effects and a doubled word count
A vast & dynamic fight scene in the sands of a grand colosseum
Chapter 1
~28,000 words
2 erotic scenes
Forbidden magic and tantalizing sights
Fast-paced violence and cruel debauchery
A story that splits into two deep branches
The humble beginnings of a dark fantasy saga
BleepRose2026-04-04★★★★★
It's a text focused game that uses AI. The creator is a combative asshole in the discord and here. It's unfortunate because it's a solid concept. But executed in the exact way that decentifies support. I happily contributed to the patreon for a bit until it became clear the creator is not someone I want to support in this space.
JLP6032025-10-28★★★★★
Dark fantasy CYOA first sex game second. The best kind and one I hope will endure until the end. Not for everyone here since this is a pirate forum for games or media with sexual content. It's for those who wanted a CYOA or interactive fiction game that just so happens to have sex. Currently the overall plot remains to be unfolded but the start up to chapter 3 is very engaging and interesting.
Hongfire Survivor2025-08-22★★★★★
I don't write reviews very often, but this game's excellent quality made me have to say something. Orphan is a CYOA Interactive Fiction story based in a dark fantasy world where you play as the titular "Orphan" (yes he can be named) as he navigates the brutal world of Cradle from quite humble beginnings. You are given choices to make right out the gate, decisions that will decide which of the two major story paths you will trek upon. Or be trekked upon. The paths are as follows: The path of the Gladiator, the opening being one of the best intros in my years of reading text-based games. Legit on the edge of my seat (no spoilers!). You are enslaved and find yourself within an auction amongst some of the Elite of this Rome like environment. Surrounded by scarred fighters, potential allies, interested buyers and a hot ass Orc woman. You can influence the results of whom becomes your owner with your choices, so choose wisely. The path of the Ascender has you being enrolled into a prestigious academy for future warriors with strings pulled by your adoptive father, Fredrick. You accompany a friend of his as you learn more about "The First Quarter", the gilded streets of the upper echelon of the city you reside in. This path is suited for those wanting to have more of a slice of life story with a dark fantasy twist. Through out the story, you have plenty of chances to make the story your own and the dev even runs polls from time to time to allow us Patrons to decide on certain events and future content. We created a love interest for the Path of the Ascender and I'll be damned if I miss out on some more Goblin booty (IYKYK). The dev puts out content on a consistent basis and his style of writing is quite visceral. You feel the sexual tension with Leoris the elven tavern girl as the hashish hits you like a truck. Khalika, your female Orc prisoner in arms has your back and you know it. Your front too, if you are willing. You won't even feel the tusks. Maybe. The story is still ramping up in both paths so it's safe to say this project has some very good staying power. I give it the HongFire seal of approval. ... I just want more Goblin booty.
zOh2025-05-25★★★★★
I am very excited about this. I randomly stumbled upon it but after giving it a shot, the story is intriguing, the worldbuilding is compelling, and the prose is beautiful. Can't wait to see the results when there are a few more chapters written.
VigoPlayGame2025-05-03★★★★★
This isn’t a porn game. It is a player driven experience. The worldbuilding, the character writing, the sense of unexplored depth in every choice. It draws you in like an intoxicating perfume, promising more than you ever knew you could hope for from a game like this. I eagerly await future updates.
CanyonMist2025-04-19★★★★★
The game is very well written and it seems very promising. I like the characters so far and the scenes and I am looking forward to more. More imagery would be nice, otherwise great start to a very promising game.
Deleted member 26566942024-09-29★★★★★
It is very good. I like the general vibe a lot. It has a lot of potential. Story-based with a few stat-checks. If you need a ton of visuals and don't like reading then I don't think the game is for you though.
Entertainer332024-08-25★★★★★
Short but amazing so far, looking forward to more options. I appreciate what few stats we have change the story without becoming overbearing. I also appreciate the fact we have Khalifka (sp?) early on since I have quite the appreciation for orc girls. Seems like this is going to be a legendary game going forward.
TheCragger2024-08-10★★★★★
I'll be honest I tried this purely because of the art of the orc . What can I say I like sexy orc women. However I was impressed with the writing. Especially the depth put into the grimdark atmosphere of the world. Very curious will this go and played out both apparent paths.