Basic Text Adventure Game Build

I’d like a straightforward, first-person text adventure that runs without graphics or animated assets—just clean text, simple user input, and branching outcomes. Think classic interactive fiction: the player reads a scene, chooses from a set of options, and sees the world respond in the console or a minimal browser window.

Core expectations
• A modular story engine that lets me expand rooms, items, and dialogue without touching core logic.
• Clear separation between game data (scenes, choices, flags) and engine code so future edits are easy.
• Player state tracking (inventory, health, or custom flags) and conditional events based on prior choices.
• Smooth navigation commands—ideally single-key or number selection—to keep the flow fast for the reader.

Deliverables
1. Well-commented source code (Python, JavaScript, or another lightweight language you suggest).
2. One short sample scenario that demonstrates branching paths, conditional text, and victory/defeat states.
3. A brief README describing how to add new scenes, variables, and endings.

Acceptance criteria
• No moving images, sounds, or external assets beyond plain text.
• Game launches in a single command or opens in a single HTML file with no additional setup.
• I can add at least three new rooms and choices without editing core functions.

If you already have experience with Twine, Ink, Ren’Py in text-only mode, or your own engine, tell me which approach fits these goals best. I’m ready to review a quick prototype and iterate from there.