"Honor Bound" is a captivating interactive novel crafted by Harris Powell-Smith that allows players to guide the narrative through their choices. This text-based experience spans an impressive 595,000 words and features countless decisions without the distraction of graphics or sound effects. The only limit to the immersion is the reader's imagination, fostering a personal connection with the story as players navigate through a rich tapestry of scenarios.
In this engaging tale, players step into the shoes of a Teranese military officer whose promising career abruptly changes due to an injury. This injury, clouded by scandal, leads to a reassignment as a bodyguard for the teenage child of a renowned scientist. The setting is an elite boarding school nestled in a wilderness area familiar to the protagonist, offering a chance for both recovery and a renewed focus on career aspirations. However, the assignment is anything but simple, as players quickly realize that lurking dangers and hidden secrets abound within the seemingly safe surroundings.
As players navigate this intricate world, they must contend not only with outside threats like bandits and natural disasters but also with internal conflicts arising from personal relationships and the complexities of returning to familiar territory. The tension is further heightened by enigmatic colleagues and the unseen motives of command, prompting players to consider what it truly means to find home. Each decision carries weight, leading to various emotional outcomes and character interactions that shape the story's direction.
"Honor Bound" offers a diverse range of character options and relationship dynamics, allowing players to define their identities fully. They can customize their character's age and choose from various sexual orientations and relationship preferences. Creating bonds—or rivalries—with a cast of intriguing characters enhances the experience, as players can engage romantically or socially with other key figures, including military officers, fellow bodyguards, and even a bandit from the protagonist's past. Ultimately, players must balance ambition with a sense of duty to their country and their values, as they journey through a complex narrative filled with moral dilemmas and personal growth.