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Choices: Stories You Play Wiki

It Lives In The Woods is the first book of the It Lives series. It is followed by It Lives Beneath.

Summary

Something old and powerful lives in the woods surrounding the small town of Westchester... something that knows your name.

Chapters

Chapter 1: Old Friends

Something old and powerful lives in the woods surrounding the small town of Westchester... something that knows your name.

Chapter 2: What Are You Afraid Of?

Your former friends gather to discuss a recent string of strange events... but tensions flare when old wounds are reopened.

Chapter 3: Sticks and Stones

The decision's been made to go rescue Dan from the woods... but will your old haunt leave you feeling haunted?

Chapter 4: What's Coming to You

With Dan's disappearance behind you, things begin to take a turn for the better... or do they?

Chapter 5: Buckle Up

As the first basketball game of the season approaches, Westchester High is suddenly rocked by violent animal attacks...

Chapter 6: A Bitter Pill to Swallow

You and your friends visit Dan in the hospital, where you make a shocking discovery...

Chapter 7: Party Favors

You and your friends are all invited to a party at Britney's house. How does the old saying go? It's all fun and games...

Chapter 8: Breakdown

In the wake of Cody's death, your friends have your back... don't they?

Chapter 9: Ungrateful

You've rejected Mr. Red's help... and now he's angry. What consequences will this have for you and your friends?

Chapter 10: I'm Not Scared

As Mr. Red's revenge escalates, your friends reunite... and start fighting back!

Chapter 11: You Again

Your hunt has led you to Pritch the Witch's front door! What does she know about Mr. Red... and will she help you stop him?

Chapter 12: Homecoming

You and your friends have vanquished Mr. Red for good, and just in time for homecoming! This is going to be a night to remember...

Chapter 13: Fight or Flight

Homecoming is ruined, Redfield has escaped... and Andy's been kidnapped!

Chapter 14: In the Dark

Your rescue plan becomes more dangerous when Redfield turns his former victims against you...

Chapter 15: Everyone Plays Together

Secrets come out and things turn deadly... during one last game with an old friend.

Chapter 16: In Memoriam

One year later... how has life changed for the survivors, and how will the fallen be remembered?

Gameplay Features

Nerve System

Unique to this story is a meter system calculating a character's nerve, which determines their mental resilience in the face of certain situations. Certain choices and events in the story will increase or decrease a character's nerve score. In Chapter 15, each character's final nerve score determines his or her fate in the battle against Jane, with a higher nerve score increasing a character's chances of survival.

Characters with this feature are the main character, Andy, Ava, Dan, Lily, Lucas, Noah, and Stacy. The following are the labels to the different nerve scores, measured out of 100:

  • 91-100 = Tough as Nails
  • 66-90 = Coping
  • 51-65 = On Edge (All on edged characters or higher will be safe in the final battle)
  • 26-50 = Rattled (Some rattled characters can die in the final battle, although their fate depends on the exact amount of nerve they have)
  • 0-25 = Haunted (Any haunted character, except MC and Noah, will die in the final battle)

With the exception of Dan, everyone's Nerve skill starts at 100. Dan's Nerve starts at Rattled.

Collectibles

Similar to the Dossiers, Idols, and Embers of Hope in the Endless Summer series, the main character has the chance to collect artifacts, unlock weapons and recruit pets throughout the book that'll uncover the book's mystery, as well as unlock bonus scenes.

Goddard E. Filleus' Letters

Gallery

Sneak Peeks

Information

Featured Locations

Miscellaneous

Soundtracks

Visit the soundtrack page for more soundtracks from Choices.

Spoilers

  • On October 19, 2017, Pixelberry released a blog post about this book.[1]
  • On October 26, 2017, Pixelberry released the soundtracks of the book.[2]
  • Chapter 15, the final chapter of the book, was initially meant to be released on January 17, 2018. However, it was reportedly delayed due to technical issues and thus the release date was pushed back by a week.[3]
  • On February 1, 2018, Pixelberry shared the playlists of the It Lives team that inspired the writing and characters of It Lives in the Woods in Spotify.[4] [5]
    • Link to the Spotify playlist is found in the Reference section.[6]
  • In a Twitter post on June 21, 2018, Pixelberry revealed that the inspiration for Hilda was a writer's (Kathleen) dog named Pippin.[7]
  • On April 26, 2019, it was confirmed in the Insta livestream that It Lives shares the same universe with Bloodbound and Nightbound.

Trivia

  • This book was released simultaneously with The Sophomore: Hartfeld Horror Story.
  • The first two chapters were immediately released on its launch date instead of one. This started a trend for every new series, apart from Home for the Holidays, to launch two chapters instead of one on their premiere date.
  • This is the first book where the main character's fate can turn out deadly.
  • This is the first book that advised player discretion, mentioning that this book contains disturbing scenes, violence and bullying.
    • Although Chapter 6 of The Haunting of Braidwood Manor series featured themes of infanticide and suicide, it did not feature such a disclaimer. It should be pointed out however, that It Lives In The Woods is noticeably darker and gorier than The Haunting of Braidwood Manor.
    • Although scenes of bullying are also found in The Freshman series, the bullying in this story appears to focus on more sensitive issues such as transphobia and racism.
    • Additionally, the loading screen of several chapters advises player discretion because of the use of flashing lights.
  • A sequel was confirmed in the final chapter. The message stating, "It Lives...will return" seemed to point out that future books will take an anthology approach, with a similar setting and feel, but with different characters, a new title, a new plot, and a new supernatural entity.
  • In Chapter 2, Main Character mentions getting Stacy's phone number from FaceSpace, which is also a social media platform in the High School Story series. This strengthens the idea that all of Choices' series take place in one common universe.
    • In this chapter, Ava says "Fear me, I'm the Daywalker". The term Daywalker refers to vampires who are able to walk in the sun, a term originating in the Blade series, referring to the titular protagonist. An example for this is Rheya from the Bloodbound universe who is said to able to walk in the day.
  • In Chapter 4, Lily refuses to say Redfield's name and Main Character tells her he isn't Voldemort in reference to Harry Potter.
  • In Chapter 6, it is revealed that Dan suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), making the It Lives series the first Choices series to feature a protagonist diagnosed with a mental illness.
    • In the same chapter, Lily makes a reference to the Meteor Madness arcade cabinet. This is a reference to LucasFilm game Maniac Mansion, in which the high score on an arcade cabinet titled "Meteor Madness" was the solution to one of the game's puzzles.
  • In Chapter 1 and Chapter 9, Main Character can make references to Spiderman by calling the Dan impersonation "Spiderman" and by asking about radioactive spiders. Main Character also asks about a magic strength potion in Chapter 9, likely a reference to Asterix.
  • In Chapter 12, Britney makes a reference to 10 Things I Hate About You when she says, "It reminded me that I don't hate you. Not even a little bit" to Lily.[8]
  • In Chapter 15, in addition to determining how many of the friends survive the encounter with Jane through their nerve score, you can also choose to have Noah take Jane's place as the new Redfield or volunteer Main Character.
    • Also, a warning will pop up at the start of this chapter. Since the fate of Main Character and his/her friends is decided in this chapter, players may experience graphic images and disturbing content (particularly if the nerve scores are too low).
  • Chapter 16 takes place one year after the events of Chapter 15. If Main Character and his/her love interest have survived, you can choose to officially start a relationship with them.
  • Chapter 14 reveals that the book's events take place over the course of two weeks, with Chapter 16 taking place a year later.
  • The "Fight or Flight" soundtrack has been used in other series, such as Bloodbound, Book 1, and Veil of Secrets - namely, during confrontations with villains.
  • Prior to the release of It Lives Beneath, the end title card just said that It Lives would return.
    • As of October 10, 2018, if players replay the book, the end title card has now changed to say: The Power rises again in It Lives Beneath, out now!
  • Chapter 12 shares the same title as The Royal Romance, Book 2, Chapter 1, Witness: A Bodyguard Romance, Chapter 19, and Immortal Desires, Book 1, Chapter 13, "Homecoming".
  • Chapter 13 shares the same chapter title as Perfect Match, Book 1, Chapter 10, and Desire & Decorum, Book 1, Chapter 14, "Fight or Flight".

Click here for the walkthrough of this book: It Lives In The Woods Choices.

References

Books
Storyloom Shared Worlds Open Heart: A Coffee Shop AUTRR: The Bachelor PartyTRR: To the MaxxTRR: Escape from Lythikos KeepBB: Cold Blood
Canceled Books Most Wanted, Book 2Hero, Vol. 2Ride-or-Die: A Bad Boy Romance, Book 2The Elementalists, Book 3A Taste For Royalty
Chat Books Texts From HSSKnock KnockThe Shadow
The Freshman The Freshman, Book 1The Freshman, Book 2The Freshman, Book 3The Freshman, Book 4The Freshman: Love BitesThe Freshman: Game of LoveThe Freshman: Snowed InThe Freshman: Luxury GetawayThe Freshman: Masquerade BallThe Freshman: The Perfect Date
Most Wanted Most Wanted, Book 1Most Wanted, Book 2
The Crown & The Flame The Crown & The Flame, Book 1The Crown & The Flame, Book 2The Crown & The Flame, Book 3
Rules of Engagement Rules of Engagement, Book 1Rules of Engagement, Book 2Rules of Engagement, Book 3Rules of Engagement: Newlyweds
Endless Summer Endless Summer, Book 1Endless Summer, Book 2Endless Summer, Book 3
LoveHacks LoveHacks, Book 1LoveHacks, Book 2
The Haunting of Braidwood Manor The Haunting of Braidwood Manor
The Royal Romance The Royal Romance, Book 1The Royal Romance, Book 2The Royal Romance, Book 3The Royal Holiday
The Sophomore The Sophomore, Book 1The Sophomore, Book 2The Sophomore: Hartfeld Horror Story
Hero Hero, Vol. 1Hero, Vol. 2
High School Story High School Story, Book 1High School Story, Book 2High School Story, Book 3HSS: Class Act, Book 1HSS: Class Act, Book 2HSS: Class Act, Book 3Texts From HSS
It Lives Anthology It Lives In The Woods . It Lives Beneath
Home for the Holidays Home for the Holidays
Red Carpet Diaries Red Carpet Diaries, Book 1Red Carpet Diaries, Book 2 . Red Carpet Diaries, Book 3
Perfect Match Perfect Match, Book 1Perfect Match, Book 2
Bloodbound Bloodbound, Book 1Bloodbound, Book 2Bloodbound, Book 3Bloodbound: Dark SolsticeBloodbound Origins
The Junior The Junior, Book 1
Veil of Secrets Veil of Secrets
America's Most Eligible America's Most Eligible: Season 10America's Most Eligible: All StarsAmerica's Most Eligible: Wedding Edition
Desire & Decorum Desire & Decorum, Book 1Desire & Decorum, Book 2Desire & Decorum, Book 3Desire & Decorum: First Winter
Across The Void Across The Void
The Senior The Senior
Big Sky Country Big Sky Country, Book 1Big Sky Country, Book 2
The Elementalists The Elementalists, Book 1The Elementalists, Book 2The Elementalists, Book 3The Elementalists: Winters Past
A Courtesan of Rome A Courtesan of Rome
The Heist: Monaco The Heist: Monaco
Ride-or-Die: A Bad Boy Romance Ride-or-Die: A Bad Boy Romance, Book 1Ride-or-Die: A Bad Boy Romance, Book 2
Open Heart Open HeartOpen Heart: Second YearOpen Heart: Third YearOpen Hearts on Fire
Passport to Romance Passport to Romance
Wishful Thinking Wishful Thinking
Nightbound Nightbound
Platinum Platinum
Sunkissed Sunkissed
The Royal Heir The Royal Heir, Book 1The Royal Heir, Book 2The Royal Heir, Book 3The Royal Finale
Bachelorette Party Bachelorette Party
Mother of the Year Mother of the Year
Save the Date Save the Date
The Royal Masquerade The Royal Masquerade
Baby Bump Baby Bump, Book 1Baby Bump, Book 2
Hot Couture Hot Couture
With Every Heartbeat With Every Heartbeat
Blades of Light and Shadow Blades of Light and Shadow, Book 1Blades of Light and Shadow, Book 2Blades Official TTRPG CompanionBlades of Light and Shadow, Book 3
A Very Scandalous Proposal A Very Scandalous Proposal
Witness: A Bodyguard Romance Witness: A Bodyguard Romance
Distant Shores Distant Shores
The Nanny Affair The Nanny Affair, Book 1The Nanny Affair, Book 2The Nanny Affair, Book 3The Dalton Affair
Queen B Queen B, Book 1Queen B, Book 2
The Unexpected Heiress The Unexpected Heiress
My Two First Loves My Two First Loves
Ms. Match Ms. Match
Rising Tides Rising Tides
Wolf Bride Wolf Bride
Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs
Slow Burn Slow Burn
Laws of Attraction Laws of Attraction, Book 1Laws of Attraction, Book 2
Shipwrecked Shipwrecked
Wake the Dead Wake the Dead
Surrender Surrender, Book 1Surrender, Book 2
Crimes of Passion Crimes of Passion, Book 1Crimes of Passion, Book 2Crimes: The ProposalCrimes of Passion, Book 3
Untameable UntameableUnbridled: An Untameable Story
The Princess Swap The Princess Swap
The Cursed Heart The Cursed Heart, Book 1The Cursed Heart, Book 2
Immortal Desires Immortal Desires, Book 1Immortal Desires, Book 2Immortal Desires, Book 3
Murder at Homecoming Murder at Homecoming
The Phantom Agent The Phantom Agent
Guinevere Guinevere
Kiss of Death Kiss of Death
Getaway Girls Getaway Girls
Roommates With Benefits Roommates With BenefitsRivals With Benefits
First Comes Love First Comes Love
The Duchess Affair The Duchess Affair
Kindred Kindred
The Billionaire's Baby The Billionaire's Baby
Dirty Little Secrets Dirty Little Secrets
The Promise of Forever The Promise of Forever, Book 1The Promise of Forever, Book 2
Alpha Alpha, Book 1Alpha, Book 2
Ship of Dreams Ship of Dreams
Guarded Guarded
The Deadliest Game The Deadliest GambitThe Deadliest Game
Hot Shot Hot ShotFace Off: A Hot Shot Story
Villainous Valentine Villainous Valentine
Along Came Treble Along Came Treble
Make That Date! Make That Date!Tap That Date!
The Ghost of Us The Ghost of Us
Filthy Rich Filthy Rich
Hearts on Fire Open Hearts on FireHearts on Fire
Terror Fest Terror Fest
All of Us All of Us: Her StoryAll of Us: His Story
Plus One Plus One
Bitten Bitten
Years Apart Years Apart
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