Lifeline is a pioneer in the 'text-adventure' genre on mobile, and it remains one of the most effective uses of the medium. The brilliance lies in its real-time notifications. You aren't just playing a game; you are communicating with Taylor, a stranded astronaut on a moon, through a communication link. When Taylor says they are going to walk for an hour, the game goes quiet for an hour. This creates an incredible sense of immersion and responsibility—when your phone pings, you feel a genuine urge to check in and help Taylor survive.
The writing is sharp, relatable, and suspenseful. Taylor feels like a real person—vulnerable, scared, and occasionally funny. Your choices have meaningful consequences, leading to various endings that range from heroic survival to tragic loss. It’s a game that respects your time while simultaneously occupying your thoughts throughout the day. For anyone who enjoys science fiction or narrative-driven experiences, Lifeline is an absolute must-play that turns your smartphone into a piece of science-fiction equipment.
Available on: Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, iPod
Version 2.2Mon Jun 13 2022
New art!
“[A] surprising iPhone and Apple Watch bestseller is pushing the boundaries of fiction” - boingboing.net
“This is the best game on the Apple Watch” - Time.com
Lifeline is a playable, branching story of survival against all odds. Using your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, you will help Taylor make life or death decisions, and face the consequences together.
Acclaimed writer Dave Justus (Fables: The Wolf Among Us) weaves a gripping interactive story through the aftermath of a crash landing on an alien moon. Taylor is stranded, the rest of the crew are dead or missing, and Taylor’s communicator can only reach you.
Lifeline pioneered a new narrative experience enabled by modern devices. This story plays out in real time as Taylor works to stay alive, notifications deliver new messages throughout your day. Keep up as they come in, or catch up later when you’re free. You can even respond to Taylor directly from your Apple Watch or your iPhone lock screen, without launching into the app.
Or, dive in and jump back to earlier points in the story, and see what happens when you make a different choice. Simple actions can have a profound effect. Complete any single path to restart the story and unlock this mode.
Lifeline is a deep, immersive story of survival and perseverance, with many possible outcomes. Taylor is relying on YOU.
You can play Lifeline in any of these languages:
- English
- French
- German
- Russian
- Simplified Chinese
- Japanese
- Spanish
- Korean
NEW in version 1.8: Stick around after the game for a special story epilogue from Dave Justus. For players who have already finished the game, the Bonus Story becomes available under the game options. Witness the events leading up to Lifeline: Silent Night.
Internet connection not required. No in-app purchases and no ads.
Praise for Lifeline:
“I’ve played many games that I find engrossing, but Lifeline may be one of the first that changed the way I thought about my daily routine, which leapt off the screen and became a part of my lived experience.” - Eli Cymet, Gamezebo
“I felt an immediate attachment to a fictional character pinging me from a strange galaxy to my wearable.” - Luke Hopewell, Gizmodo Australia
“[P]laying it on the Apple Watch makes you truly feel like you’re exchanging messages with an astronaut via a futuristic transmitter.” - Michael Andronico, Tom’s Guide
“For a few brief hours I cared – really cared – about the fate of a completely fictional character. I don’t think any other game I’ve played has made me feel that way before.” - Matt Thrower, PocketGamer
Lifeline was created by:
Dave Justus
Mars Jokela
Dan Selleck
Colin Liotta
Jason Nowak
Ben “Books” Schwartz
Requires iOS 11.0 and watchOS 6.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.** Top Paid Game in 55 countries ** App Store Editors’ Choice ** Millions of players love Lifeline **
“[A] surprising iPhone and Apple Watch bestseller is pushing the boundaries of fiction” - boingboing.net
“This is the best game on the Apple Watch” - Time.com
Lifeline is a playable, branching story of survival against all odds. Using your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, you will help Taylor make life or death decisions, and face the consequences together.
Acclaimed writer Dave Justus (Fables: The Wolf Among Us) weaves a gripping interactive story through the aftermath of a crash landing on an alien moon. Taylor is stranded, the rest of the crew are dead or missing, and Taylor’s communicator can only reach you.
Lifeline pioneered a new narrative experience enabled by modern devices. This story plays out in real time as Taylor works to stay alive, notifications deliver new messages throughout your day. Keep up as they come in, or catch up later when you’re free. You can even respond to Taylor directly from your Apple Watch or your iPhone lock screen, without launching into the app.
Or, dive in and jump back to earlier points in the story, and see what happens when you make a different choice. Simple actions can have a profound effect. Complete any single path to restart the story and unlock this mode.
Lifeline is a deep, immersive story of survival and perseverance, with many possible outcomes. Taylor is relying on YOU.
You can play Lifeline in any of these languages:
- English
- French
- German
- Russian
- Simplified Chinese
- Japanese
- Spanish
- Korean
NEW in version 1.8: Stick around after the game for a special story epilogue from Dave Justus. For players who have already finished the game, the Bonus Story becomes available under the game options. Witness the events leading up to Lifeline: Silent Night.
Internet connection not required. No in-app purchases and no ads.
Praise for Lifeline:
“I’ve played many games that I find engrossing, but Lifeline may be one of the first that changed the way I thought about my daily routine, which leapt off the screen and became a part of my lived experience.” - Eli Cymet, Gamezebo
“I felt an immediate attachment to a fictional character pinging me from a strange galaxy to my wearable.” - Luke Hopewell, Gizmodo Australia
“[P]laying it on the Apple Watch makes you truly feel like you’re exchanging messages with an astronaut via a futuristic transmitter.” - Michael Andronico, Tom’s Guide
“For a few brief hours I cared – really cared – about the fate of a completely fictional character. I don’t think any other game I’ve played has made me feel that way before.” - Matt Thrower, PocketGamer
Lifeline was created by:
Dave Justus
Mars Jokela
Dan Selleck
Colin Liotta
Jason Nowak
Ben “Books” Schwartz


















Lifeline is a playable, branching story of survival against all odds. Using your device to communicate with a stranded astronaut named Taylor, you will make decisions that determine their fate. The story plays out in real-time; as Taylor works to survive, notifications deliver new messages throughout your day. You can jump in and respond whenever you can, or catch up later when you're free. Taylor's life is in your hands.
Unique real-time storytelling
Branching narrative with multiple endings
Immersive 'comms-link' interface
Apple Watch support for notifications
Written by acclaimed author Dave Justus
When Taylor asks whether to camp by the crash site or explore the crater, consider the radiation levels. Staying by the engines might provide heat, but it's dangerous!
From being one bounce from a 3-0 lead against the Stanley Cup champions, the Maple Leafs now are a loss away from the golf course.
Toronto Sun - Sun Jun 29 2025
A text dialogue with stranded astronaut Taylor brings real empathy to this slow-moving, intriguing game.
The Guardian - Mon Jun 29 2015
Cristiano Ronaldo and his Al Nassr team have been handed an unexpected last minute boost and now the Riyadh team can still qualify for the Asian Champions...
Diario AS - Tue Jul 29 2025
Embattled casino operator Star is weighing up a deal that would put a US casino player at the helm, in an eleventh-hour offer that could turn the group's...
Daily Mail - Tue Apr 29 2025
Harry Maguire threw Erik ten Hag a lifeline as Manchester United manager with an equaliser in stoppage time that secured a 3-3 draw in the UEFA Europa League...
ESPN - Fri Nov 29 2024
In this game, you're a cosmic crash survivor's only hope of getting out alive.
CNET - Sat Apr 29 2023
Lifeline is a very different kind of video game, but one that works exceedingly well on the mobile platform, especially if you're an Apple...
MobileSyrup - Mon Feb 29 2016
No mention of TransLink's funding predicament in B.C.'s budget alarmed transit advocates, the province says something is still in the works.
Vancouver Sun - Tue Apr 29 2025
PRNewswire/ -- Big Fish Games, a leading producer and distributor of mobile games, launched Lifeline 2 today. Lifeline 2 expands upon the...
PR Newswire - Thu Oct 29 2015
The failed challenge by the Kings in Game 3, should the Oilers win this series, will go down in Pacific Division lore.
Sportsnet.ca - Sun Jun 29 2025
Once you complete the game once, you unlock 'Fast Mode,' which allows the text to appear instantly without the real-time waiting periods.
You can rewind the story to a previous day or decision point to try a different path.