Was a big fan of these as a kid before i even got into 2000AD. They seem to be making a bit of a comeback with re-releases and new titles being released. There is even a current 'Freeway Fighter' comic which i cant rate highly enough. Tharg the mighty has kindly allowed some of his best droids to work on these!
More of a Lone Wolf fan myself, but enjoyed the odd FF book - played most of the early ones. The Tinman games adaptions of them have been good fun.
I vaguely remember lone wolf books but have heard great things about them. Will check them and the Tin man games out! cheers
The Lone Wolf books can be gotten here: https://www.projectaon.org/en/Main/Books, as the author made them publicly available :)
this is great. Cheers mate
I love the FF books. Funnily enough a new one has been released today: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1407181297/ref=pe_3187911_189395841_TE_dp_1
There were loads of different gamebooks back in the 80s. I had a Marvel one featuring The Thing and also a really nice Asterix one with character themed dice.
I liked the 'Choose Your Own Adventure' too, which I think were more popular in the US.
I loved, loved, loved Fighting Fantasy gamebooks. My absolute favourite is Khare - Cityport of Traps.
Also, incredibly excited to see Zanbar Bone is back in The Port of Peril. He was the most memorable villain of the whole series.
Recently received The Trolltooth Wars graphic novel, which I can recommend, especially as it's now possible to buy this without waiting two years (it was originally a massively delayed Kickstarter).
'Choose your own adventure' books were fantastic. I vividly remember one set in US Civil War in which you helped the underground railroad spirit escaped slaves to safety.
'Civil War Secret Agent' was the name of it. Great book.
The FF books were brilliant! I loved these. Best ones were Master of Chaos, Creature of Havoc, Night of the Necromancer and the four Sorcery! books, and the Titan encyclopedia.
The original prose novel The Trolltooth Wars, on which the graphic novel is based, was excellent too: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0140324828/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501780214&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=trolltooth (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0140324828/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501780214&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=trolltooth)
Jonathan Green's 2014 You Are the Hero! about the history of the series is a good book for uber-fans.
Also loved Al Ewing's Dredd spoof of these gamebooks in Prog 2012.
I never like to miss an opportunity to wax lyrical about Fighting Fantasy (and especially the Sorcery! books.) Seem to recall banging on about the Dennis Wheatley-tastic glory of House of Hell on another thread not too long ago. About once a year, I replay Scorpion Swamp and attempt to win without fudging any dice rolls. Am also very happy to own an original bit of art from Deathtrap Dungeon.
Quote from: Greg M. on 03 August, 2017, 07:27:58 PM
I never like to miss an opportunity to wax lyrical about Fighting Fantasy (and especially the Sorcery! books.) Seem to recall banging on about the Dennis Wheatley-tastic glory of House of Hell on another thread not too long ago. About once a year, I replay Scorpion Swamp and attempt to win without fudging any dice rolls. Am also very happy to own an original bit of art from Deathtrap Dungeon.
Damn, I'm officially jealous of that piece of art, whichever of the fantastic illustrations it is from that book. I have the first 35 books and the sorcery books. Coincidentally have been going through deathtrap dungeon this week with my 9 year old son. The mirror that made his head swell up and officially ended his adventure genuinely freaked him out!
I used to buy a couple of these every time we went on holiday to the lake district when I was a boy and they have huge sentimental value to me. Despite owning the 4 sorcery books since they were originally published they remain the only FF books I own that I still haven't read. I always preferred Ian livingstones books to Steve Jacksons, with forest of doom, city of thieves, deathtrap dungeon and the island of the lizard king remaining my favourites. Freeway Fighter also rocked despite not having seen mad max at the time I read it.
Quote from: SIP on 03 August, 2017, 09:08:33 PM
Damn, I'm officially jealous of that piece of art, whichever of the fantastic illustrations it is from that book.
It's this one - the first illustration in the book:
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsnlhhIYmz1r1g40zo1_500.jpg)
Loved these books. Fighting Fantasy was the best series. Lone Wolf was good. There were a couple other series, one I'm sure in which you could be a were-creature? The artwork was more like old Conan stuff?
Quote from: Greg M. on 03 August, 2017, 09:17:47 PM
Quote from: SIP on 03 August, 2017, 09:08:33 PM
Damn, I'm officially jealous of that piece of art, whichever of the fantastic illustrations it is from that book.
It's this one - the first illustration in the book:
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsnlhhIYmz1r1g40zo1_500.jpg)
Holy sh*t....the illustration showing the other contenders AND baron sukumvitz. You could only have topped that with the barbarian illustration or the ninja illustration.
Long before I wanted to be a dredd artist, I wanted to do the illustrations for these books. Even now I think that would be my dream job.
Quote from: SIP on 03 August, 2017, 09:32:42 PM
You could only have topped that with the barbarian illustration or the ninja illustration.
Ah yes, the famous barbarian illustration in which people think he's wearing shades (as opposed to an eyepatch.) I will admit to being particularly glad my picture contains the ninja - I had a general ninja obsession when I first read the book. The picture's actually quite small - less than A4 size.
Forbidden Planet are holding a signing to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the first publication of the iconic The Warlock of Firetop Mountain by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone. Steve and Ian will be signing at the Forbidden Planet London Megastore on Friday 4th August from 6 – 7pm.
https://forbiddenplanet.com/events/2017/08/04/steve-jackson-and-ian-livingstone-signing-forbidd2/
Quote from: Greg M. on 03 August, 2017, 09:41:20 PM
Quote from: SIP on 03 August, 2017, 09:32:42 PM
You could only have topped that with the barbarian illustration or the ninja illustration.
Ah yes, the famous barbarian illustration in which people think he's wearing shades (as opposed to an eyepatch.) I will admit to being particularly glad my picture contains the ninja - I had a general ninja obsession when I first read the book. The picture's actually quite small - less than A4 size.
Ha ha, not sure how old you are sir, but im 44 and when I was at secondary school we were all crazy on ninjas, particularly in the fantasy genre. Always wanted a citadel miniature of one, along with a skeleton warrior!
Quote from: SIP on 03 August, 2017, 09:53:31 PM
Ha ha, not sure how old you are sir, but im 44 and when I was at secondary school we were all crazy on ninjas, particularly in the fantasy genre. Always wanted a citadel miniature of one, along with a skeleton warrior!
I'm 40, so I was having a similar obsession in primary school!
Quote from: Greg M. on 03 August, 2017, 09:59:53 PM
Quote from: SIP on 03 August, 2017, 09:53:31 PM
Ha ha, not sure how old you are sir, but im 44 and when I was at secondary school we were all crazy on ninjas, particularly in the fantasy genre. Always wanted a citadel miniature of one, along with a skeleton warrior!
I'm 40, so I was having a similar obsession in primary school!
Ahh, can't go back. Happy times.
SIP - read the Sorcery books, they're fantastic!
JLX - you might be thinking of the FF book Howl of the Werewolf by Jonathan Green?
Quote from: Richard on 03 August, 2017, 10:26:25 PM
SIP - read the Sorcery books, they're fantastic!
JLX - you might be thinking of the FF book Howl of the Werewolf by Jonathan Green?
I'm gearing up! I'll try and get started on them this week while I'm all aboard the nostalgia train.
Quote from: SIP on 03 August, 2017, 10:28:00 PM
I'm gearing up! I'll try and get started on them this week while I'm all aboard the nostalgia train.
Watch out for the Sleepless Ram.
Quote from: Greg M. on 03 August, 2017, 07:27:58 PM
I never like to miss an opportunity to wax lyrical about Fighting Fantasy (and especially the Sorcery! books.) Seem to recall banging on about the Dennis Wheatley-tastic glory of House of Hell on another thread not too long ago. About once a year, I replay Scorpion Swamp and attempt to win without fudging any dice rolls. Am also very happy to own an original bit of art from Deathtrap Dungeon.
Scorpion Swamp - confusingly written by the
other Steve Jackson (the one who recently released Apocalypse Munchkin Judge Dredd).
Quote from: rogue69 on 03 August, 2017, 09:45:37 PM
Forbidden Planet are holding a signing to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the first publication of the iconic The Warlock of Firetop Mountain by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone. Steve and Ian will be signing at the Forbidden Planet London Megastore on Friday 4th August from 6 – 7pm.
https://forbiddenplanet.com/events/2017/08/04/steve-jackson-and-ian-livingstone-signing-forbidd2/ (https://forbiddenplanet.com/events/2017/08/04/steve-jackson-and-ian-livingstone-signing-forbidd2/)
Thanks for the heads up for this - I went after work (wasn't entirely sure I'd be able to make it, or I'd have mentioned I was going along). I'm now the proud owner of 'The Port of Peril' by Ian Livingstone, which promises to return to the Moonstone Hills, Port Blacksand and Darkwood Forest. Also my copies of the following are freshly signed:
- Warlock of Firetop Mountain (my copy from 1982)
- Titan: the Fighting Fantasy World (1986) edited by Marc Gascoigne from material by SJ and IL
- You Are the Hero (bought at a gaming convention late last year or early this year, from the Novotel in Hammersmith - good practice for the 40th) by Jonathan Green
Quote from: Richard on 03 August, 2017, 10:26:25 PM
SIP - read the Sorcery books, they're fantastic!
JLX - you might be thinking of the FF book Howl of the Werewolf by Jonathan Green?
Its not that one but thanks.
JLC has set an interesting puzzle.
There are a couple of old series that seem to go for the Conan style - most notably, Sagard The Barbarian - but none I can find that let you play as a were-creature.
Went to get the new book today, but no sign - the rereleased Forest of Doom and City of Thieves were there, but the art was replaced by very similar images done on a much weaker style - odd!
SIP - Sorcery is by far the greatest of all the book series - such an immersive world that feels less generic than a lot of the main series stuff, helped in no small part by the amazing Blanche art throughout
Quote from: Jimmy Baker's Assistant on 05 August, 2017, 05:00:51 PM
JLC has set an interesting puzzle.
There are a couple of old series that seem to go for the Conan style - most notably, Sagard The Barbarian - but none I can find that let you play as a were-creature.
Maybe I'm misremembering. Really annoying as I knew there were a couple other series of role-playing books that weren't Fighting Fantasy but were all good.
The new artwork on the new books is shockingly bad. The artist hasn't even tried to be original either -- he's just ripped off the original pictures but done them with much less skill and they look terrible. And it's presumably been done just so they don't gave to pay royalties to the original artists. I was going to buy one as a Christmas present for a child but now in just going to find one of the Wizard editions on Amazon.
Quote from: JLC on 03 August, 2017, 09:18:41 PM
Loved these books. Fighting Fantasy was the best series. Lone Wolf was good. There were a couple other series, one I'm sure in which you could be a were-creature? The artwork was more like old Conan stuff?
There was Creature of Havoc, were you played some sort of monster who's unaware of what they are (I have it but haven't read it yet, so can't go in to more detail). There was another one where you play a monster who flips in to another dimension, with art by Ian Miller, but I don't have time to go through all my FF books to figure out which one it is.
Quote from: Richard on 05 August, 2017, 09:14:32 PM
The new artwork on the new books is shockingly bad. The artist hasn't even tried to be original either -- he's just ripped off the original pictures but done them with much less skill and they look terrible. And it's presumably been done just so they don't gave to pay royalties to the original artists. I was going to buy one as a Christmas present for a child but now in just going to find one of the Wizard editions on Amazon.
Especially when Russ Nicholson (artist for Warlock of Firetop Mountain) is still in business.
For nostalgias sake, here is a quick picture of my collection (I loved the artwork in these books, and the covers.....forest of doom being my fave cover). I'm missing a couple of my books here, they unfortunately must be stored somewhere else. Also have the a4 sized "titan" book knocking about somewhere.
Anyway, just for fun!
(http://i.imgur.com/tDbsTD1.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xWzutpV.jpg)
Picked up "port of peril" today. I think the design is okay but the illustration style isn't a patch on the original books. Was similarly dismayed to see the reworked versions of Warlock and forest of doom. Oh well, poor modern kids will have to make do I guess. Give me Ian McCaig any day.
Lovely stuff - your collection extends about two books further than mine, as I think Stealer of Souls was where I stopped.
Nice! Thought I had a decent collection until I saw that! No love for the Advanced FF RPG books, or the various source books?
I have no vested interest in asking whether anyone's been reading the Freeway Fighter comic from Titan. None. No, sir. But, if you liked that Coleby/O'Grady pairing from the art/colours on Jaegir, you're missing a treat. :-)
Lovely stuff SIP! I had most of those as well. Would love to get some of the original artwork.
Currently playing House of Hell on my tablet.
I've also got this source book knocking around somewhere....it's the a4 sized book I mentioned. I have a lot of stuff buried in wardrobes and would take a little too much sorting at the moment to dig it out:
(http://i.imgur.com/j66lYkK.jpg)
Never did get into the more advanced role playing side of FF though, despite owning this, fighting fantasy and the riddling reader.
I had that as well. Shame I got rid of all of them.
I struggle getting rid of my childhood stuff! Just managed to finally sell off my snes collection. It hurt, but was glad to get rid afterwards. The money didn't hurt either to be fair!
Thankfully I've still got about 7 years of progs & a a couple years of Eagle comics somewhere.
Wish I'd kept my FF stuff.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 06 August, 2017, 08:20:31 PM
I have no vested interest in asking whether anyone's been reading the Freeway Fighter comic from Titan. None. No, sir. But, if you liked that Coleby/O'Grady pairing from the art/colours on Jaegir, you're missing a treat. :-)
I read the first two issues on Thursday and absolutely loved them (as soon as I saw that transition from 'flashback' to 'now' at the start of issue 1, I knew I would). Issue three is on its way.
Issue 3 is even better! Really hope we get more Fighting Fantasy comics if Freeway fighter is anything to go by.
[showing off] I've got just over half of the original books. I've got an A1 size print of that Titan cover framed on my wall. And I've got an original commission by Russ Nicholson: [/showing off]
(//)
Quote from: Richard on 06 August, 2017, 09:55:32 PM
[showing off] I've got just over half of the original books. I've got an A1 size print of that Titan cover framed on my wall. And I've got an original commission by Russ Nicholson: [/showing off]
Nice! I'm lacking about two or three gamebooks (pretty sure I have all the original run, but there were a few extra books published under later imprints, which reprinted some of the original books in a different order and mixed up new books with them).
No original commissions or A1 prints of the Titan cover, but I did bump in to the artist, Chris Achilleos, at a local monthly metal night a few years back. I did mention that cover being one of my favourite book covers of all time, but I don't think he was impressed that the work he'd done in the three decades since hadn't had so much impression on me... Speaking of which, the metal club in question moved venues and is now just up the road from me - next night this coming Saturday...
How many issues will Freeway Fighter run to?
There were six new books by Wizard Books (one of which was going to be book 60 of the Puffin series before it was cancelled), and Port of Peril is the seventh new one. Night of the Necromancer is excellent (you die at the start and spend the whole book as a vengeful ghost).
List here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Fighting_Fantasy_gamebooks (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Fighting_Fantasy_gamebooks)
During my FF days I got one of the Quest Packs for Christmas of '84. FF was my only incursion – along with Grail Quest and Dice Man – into the outer-edges of the RPG world. I didn't have the patience or the will for any of the real stuff, nor did I know anyone who did, but FF was great to get lost in for a few hours.
(http://static.wixstatic.com/media/29d6b9_2ea19f1614b24d14ae4f40de119395c0~mv2.jpg_srz_940_833_85_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz)
Quote from: Michael Knight on 06 August, 2017, 09:43:09 PM
Issue 3 is even better! Really hope we get more Fighting Fantasy comics if Freeway fighter is anything to go by.
Andi is champing at the bit to do either Deathtrap Dungeon or City of Thieves, I think. I would
very much be up for that. :-)
Have to get hold of that Freeway Fighter, afraid I never saw it the comic shop, and I don't do the ordering thing.
Of the newer generation of FF books, I've only played Stormslayer by Jonathan Green (really enjoyed it!) and only just started Blood of the Zombies, which is all kinds of odd, with a new system for fighting hordes. I also greatly enjoy playing the the Android versions of the old ones, which have the lovely option of using (inferior) new art and modern page layout, or the pure originals.
One of my odd habits is trying to collect all the various Solo Adventure Gamebooks series from secondhand/charity shops alone, with an individual spend limit of €2. I know I could grab them all on eBay/Amazon, but it's a real thrill when I find a new one, and at that price I don't feel guilty about indulging myself. The quest's the thing.
The two series that have completely escaped my delvings thus far are The Cretan Chronicles (which I played at the time, and which you can download on http://www.abandonia.com/en/gamebooks, if you are so inclined: I'm not) and Blood Sword (the Dragon Warriors solo series). One day...
Quote from: Greg M. on 03 August, 2017, 09:17:47 PM
Quote from: SIP on 03 August, 2017, 09:08:33 PM
Damn, I'm officially jealous of that piece of art, whichever of the fantastic illustrations it is from that book.
It's this one - the first illustration in the book:
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsnlhhIYmz1r1g40zo1_500.jpg)
At least now I know who outbid me :'(
Have Port of Peril winging its way to me as couldn't find it in any shops at weekend.
I've found a website hosting all 20 issues of Proteus magazine...
https://annarchive.com/proteus.html
Honestly never thought I'd see these again!
Quote from: Woolly on 07 August, 2017, 09:59:25 AM
I've found a website hosting all 20 issues of Proteus magazine...
https://annarchive.com/proteus.html
Honestly never thought I'd see these again!
Brilliant! One of those things I didn't remember until seeing this!
Quote from: JLC on 07 August, 2017, 10:16:41 AM
Quote from: Woolly on 07 August, 2017, 09:59:25 AM
I've found a website hosting all 20 issues of Proteus magazine...
https://annarchive.com/proteus.html
Honestly never thought I'd see these again!
Brilliant! One of those things I didn't remember until seeing this!
Same! Definitely had a few of those, but I don't remember it as clearly as Warlock (https://annarchive.com/warlock.html) magazine, which the same chap has helpfully archived...
I knew this thread would turn Proteus-ward sooner or later. I've still got the first twelve issues around somewhere. #8 (Treasures of the Cursed Pyramid) and especially #10 (The Triad of Evil) are personal high-points.
Ah Proteus! Truly the md-80s were a time to be alive. Did the somewhat later Irish mag Fantasy Chonicles have much distribution in the wider world?
I actually just picked up the 2 player fighting fantasy in Oxfam last week. Looking forward to trying it out with my eldest.
The Sorcery! apps are well worth a try, they even have a rewind feature :lol:
Beyond the Sorcery! books Deathtrap Dungeon and City of Thieves were always my favourites.
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 06 August, 2017, 11:28:47 PM
Quote from: Michael Knight on 06 August, 2017, 09:43:09 PM
Issue 3 is even better! Really hope we get more Fighting Fantasy comics if Freeway fighter is anything to go by.
Andi is champing at the bit to do either Deathtrap Dungeon or City of Thieves, I think. I would very much be up for that. :-)
Though DD was my first FF, City of Thieves remains my favourite (not counting the Sorcery series). Probably the first fantasy city I explored, even before
Imrryr.
Quote from: TordelBack on 07 August, 2017, 01:05:27 PM
Ah Proteus! Truly the md-80s were a time to be alive. Did the somewhat later Irish mag Fantasy Chonicles have much distribution in the wider world?
I don't recognise any of these (https://rpggeek.com/rpgperiodical/7308/fantasy-chronicles) and there's not much of this ilk which would've slipped past me in 1986!
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 06 August, 2017, 08:20:31 PM
I have no vested interest in asking whether anyone's been reading the Freeway Fighter comic from Titan. None. No, sir. But, if you liked that Coleby/O'Grady pairing from the art/colours on Jaegir, you're missing a treat. :-)
What hold on this is out. Thought I'd ordered this from my LCS. Damnit another one to track down.
Managed to pick up issues 1, 2 and 3 of freeway fighter from World Apart in Liverpool on Monday......glorious stuff. Great story, gorgeous Coleby artwork and major kudos to Jim on letters. Man, to have had the chance to have worked on something Fighting Fantasy related, even more so of this calibre......consider me eternally jealous.
Really cant recommend the Freeway Fighter comics highly enough!
Quote from: SIP on 08 August, 2017, 09:28:09 PM
Managed to pick up issues 1, 2 and 3 of freeway fighter from World Apart in Liverpool on Monday......
Good to hear Worlds Apart is still there, my comicshop back in the late 80s when it opened. I'm back in Liverpool with the family for a few days next week. I should check it out again (normally sneak a visit when I get back to Liverpool). Is it still on Lime Street?
Anyway I got issue 1 from that there eBay and it was bloody good fun, so I've gone back and ordered the rest. Nice one.
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 13 August, 2017, 09:45:28 PM
Quote from: SIP on 08 August, 2017, 09:28:09 PM
Managed to pick up issues 1, 2 and 3 of freeway fighter from World Apart in Liverpool on Monday......
Good to hear Worlds Apart is still there, my comicshop back in the late 80s when it opened. I'm back in Liverpool with the family for a few days next week. I should check it out again (normally sneak a visit when I get back to Liverpool). Is it still on Lime Street?
Anyway I got issue 1 from that there eBay and it was bloody good fun, so I've gone back and ordered the rest. Nice one.
Yup, it's on Lime Street, and has extended into the basement now (where all the graphic novels are located). I started going to World's Apart in 1992 when it was a tiny little shop just off Bold Street. I believe Forbidden Planet international own it now and it's not quite the same.
Quote from: SIP on 13 August, 2017, 10:14:53 PM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 13 August, 2017, 09:45:28 PM
Quote from: SIP on 08 August, 2017, 09:28:09 PM
Managed to pick up issues 1, 2 and 3 of freeway fighter from World Apart in Liverpool on Monday......
Good to hear Worlds Apart is still there, my comicshop back in the late 80s when it opened. I'm back in Liverpool with the family for a few days next week. I should check it out again (normally sneak a visit when I get back to Liverpool). Is it still on Lime Street?
Anyway I got issue 1 from that there eBay and it was bloody good fun, so I've gone back and ordered the rest. Nice one.
Yup, it's on Lime Street, and has extended into the basement now (where all the graphic novels are located). I started going to World's Apart in 1992 when it was a tiny little shop just off Bold Street. I believe Forbidden Planet international own it now and it's not quite the same.
Yeah used to be up the stairs in a small shopping arcade the name of which utterly escapes me and was owned by two very nice Goths ... and yep their names escape me too. Became my LCS when Chapter One closed back in the day. Shame to hear its now just an extension of the Forbidden Planet network.
Chapter One on London Road? My first ever comic shop, picked up my Eagle comics Judge Dredd's there, and my 1985 Dredd annual, and my first ever graphic novel, the Dredd titan book "city of the damned". Happiest times.
Quote from: SIP on 13 August, 2017, 10:50:47 PM
Chapter One on London Road? My first ever comic shop, picked up my Eagle comics Judge Dredd's there, and my 1985 Dredd annual, and my first ever graphic novel, the Dredd titan book "city of the damned". Happiest times.
Yep that's the one. It had the porn section stringed off with a sign on cardboard as I recall saying something along the line of 'Hey kids don't look at the porn.' I remember being so scared of the 'comic book guy' behind the counter that I didn't!
Now there's an audio drama coming out.
www.fightingfantasyaudiodramas.com
Quote from: SIP on 06 August, 2017, 05:44:23 PM
Anyway, just for fun!
I already had the first six books without it but, as a young Noxian, that green ribbon atop the cover drove me nuts when it was first introduced.
Quote from: JOE SOAP on 06 August, 2017, 11:28:29 PM
During my FF days I got one of the Quest Packs for Christmas of '84.
1984? Yikes. By chance I picked up the Quest Pack in WHSmith while on holiday in Torquay. The
only place I ever saw it.
Quote from: Eric Plumrose on 16 August, 2017, 12:33:25 AM
I already had the first six books without it but, as a young Noxian, that green ribbon atop the cover drove me nuts when it was first introduced.
Oh how I hated that green ribbon! Looking at the beauty of the original covers of Warlock, Forest of Doom, City of Thieves and Lizard King (less so Citadel of Chaos, or 'Tchah-Oss' as I pronounced it then), the banner hurts my eyes. When did it come in, was it (the rather excellent) Scorpion Swamp?
Scorpion Swamp sticks in my memory, because as soon as I saw it, I knew that The Other Steve Jackson had stolen my first gamebook before I could even finish it: 'Paths of Peril' was my own swamp-based (well, bog-based) adventure that bizarrely used the same free-exploration mechanic as Scorpion Swamp would. I had a thick notebook with each page holding a numbered paragraph, and if I had ever filled more than 60 of them it could have been a triumph...
Anyway, inspired to greater charity shop efforts by this thread, last week I picked up Creature of Chaos and Phantoms of Fear, neither of which I have played before, so if work ever eases off I'm all set.
Quote from: TordelBack on 16 August, 2017, 12:59:37 AM
When did it come in, was it (the rather excellent) Scorpion Swamp?
I recall being miffed a chum at school had an unribboned copy of ISLAND OF THE LIZARD KING so, yes. SCORPION SWAMP it probably was (a cursory search online of their respective covers seems to confirms this).
Quote from: TordelBack on 16 August, 2017, 12:59:37 AM
When did it come in, was it (the rather excellent) Scorpion Swamp?
'twas.
We're reasonably close to persuading the powers that be at Usborne to have a crack at the 'choose your own adventure' thing. Would you be inclined to buy this sort of thing for your little 'uns (if you have any), or is it original FF or nothing as far as you're concerned?
Speaking personally, I loved the FF books mostly for the art and the setting, and was slightly less taken with the actual mechanic of playing through the book. For some reason I loved the heck out of the first Asterix book, though - perhaps because it wasn't as difficult!
I now have Port of Peril but not had a go yet. Seen the rest in Smiths and was horrified to see the internal art has been changed to the new bland stuff.
Bluergh!
Quote from: AlexF on 16 August, 2017, 09:08:50 AM
We're reasonably close to persuading the powers that be at Usborne to have a crack at the 'choose your own adventure' thing. Would you be inclined to buy this sort of thing for your little 'uns (if you have any), or is it original FF or nothing as far as you're concerned?
Speaking personally, I loved the FF books mostly for the art and the setting, and was slightly less taken with the actual mechanic of playing through the book. For some reason I loved the heck out of the first Asterix book, though - perhaps because it wasn't as difficult!
Usborne books are among the greatest things in the world, so I would take serious note of their gamebooks. That said, they'd need to have the same feel as the originals, which means getting the art, writing style and challenge right.
Personally, having to play though by the rules is a vital part of the books. It's the difficulty that keeps you replaying, rereading, trying new paths, discovering new locations, monsters and treasure. The early Lone Wolf books were probably better than FF, but I gave up on them as they progressed because I could play though them in a single reading with little challenge.
Regards,
Robin
Quote from: AlexF on 16 August, 2017, 09:08:50 AM
We're reasonably close to persuading the powers that be at Usborne to have a crack at the 'choose your own adventure' thing. Would you be inclined to buy this sort of thing for your little 'uns (if you have any), or is it original FF or nothing as far as you're concerned?
I adored the Usborne Adventure books in my youth (late 80s-early 90s). Not quite 'choose-your-own' but in a very similar vein. Much more visual though.
Quote from: Robin Low on 16 August, 2017, 07:11:04 PM
Personally, having to play though by the rules is a vital part of the books. It's the difficulty that keeps you replaying, rereading, trying new paths, discovering new locations, monsters and treasure. The early Lone Wolf books were probably better than FF, but I gave up on them as they progressed because I could play though them in a single reading with little challenge.
S'right. Lone Wolf was a great story and world, but the books seldom offered much resistance. Course some of the FF books were
too hard to be much fun (Starship Traveller, for example: I only won that one last year!).
I recently played the Android version of one of the simpler FF books (Caverns of the Snow Witch), which I had blasted through back in my youth, and as a result never really rated. Playing it without the ability to
fudge rolls cheat, I found myself bouncing about all over trying to avoid particularly hard encounters, especially when I'd rolled a low Skill, and finished the book after more than a dozen tries feeling like I'd really explored every nook.
Quote from: TordelBack on 16 August, 2017, 07:40:56 PM
S'right. Lone Wolf was a great story and world, but the books seldom offered much resistance.
In case you, or anyone else, are interested:
http://cubicle7.co.uk/our-games/lone-wolf-adventure-game/
20 quid for the core game is pretty good for an RPG these days.
Regards,
Robin
Quote from: AlexF on 16 August, 2017, 09:08:50 AM
We're reasonably close to persuading the powers that be at Usborne to have a crack at the 'choose your own adventure' thing. Would you be inclined to buy this sort of thing for your little 'uns (if you have any), or is it original FF or nothing as far as you're concerned?
Speaking personally, I loved the FF books mostly for the art and the setting, and was slightly less taken with the actual mechanic of playing through the book. For some reason I loved the heck out of the first Asterix book, though - perhaps because it wasn't as difficult!
Sounds like a great idea. I liked the Choose Your Own Adventures because you didn't need pencils or dice. They were a good 'pick up and go' adventure.
The newer Fighting Fantasy books have dice rolls printed at the bottom of the pages which is a good idea.
I liked my Asterix book but you needed the plastic wallet to keep all the bits in!
Yeah I have the Asterix books and there's a LOY going on. Which back in the day made them exceptional value, today makes them too much hassle to return to!
Still wonderful produces, one day I will search that Roman camp again.
Quote from: Robin Low on 16 August, 2017, 07:11:04 PM
Usborne books are among the greatest things in the world, so I would take serious note of their gamebooks.
USBORNE (https://usborne.com/browse-books/features/computer-and-coding-books/) put up free PDFs of their 1980s computer books. I've just remembered I had quite a few of these.
(http://retro-hardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/snapshot352.png)
(https://sheep.horse/2017/2/write_your_own_adventure_programs_cover.jpg)
Quote from: JOE SOAP on 16 August, 2017, 09:24:24 PM
Quote from: Robin Low on 16 August, 2017, 07:11:04 PM
Usborne books are among the greatest things in the world, so I would take serious note of their gamebooks.
USBORNE (https://usborne.com/browse-books/features/computer-and-coding-books/) put up free PDFs of their 1980s computer books. I've just remembered I had quite a few of these.
I had the second of those two.
Some of my most treasured books are the
Detective's Handbook (book club edition) and the three volumes of the
Good Spy Guide. And then there's the
Children's Book of Britain, anything illustrated by Colin King and Stephen Cartwright, the Supernatural Guides, the KnowHow Books of...
Regards,
Robin
I remember those books! They were great! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Quote from: Robin Low on 16 August, 2017, 07:11:04 PM
Quote from: AlexF on 16 August, 2017, 09:08:50 AM
We're reasonably close to persuading the powers that be at Usborne to have a crack at the 'choose your own adventure' thing. Would you be inclined to buy this sort of thing for your little 'uns (if you have any), or is it original FF or nothing as far as you're concerned?
Speaking personally, I loved the FF books mostly for the art and the setting, and was slightly less taken with the actual mechanic of playing through the book. For some reason I loved the heck out of the first Asterix book, though - perhaps because it wasn't as difficult!
Usborne books are among the greatest things in the world, so I would take serious note of their gamebooks. That said, they'd need to have the same feel as the originals, which means getting the art, writing style and challenge right.
Personally, having to play though by the rules is a vital part of the books. It's the difficulty that keeps you replaying, rereading, trying new paths, discovering new locations, monsters and treasure. The early Lone Wolf books were probably better than FF, but I gave up on them as they progressed because I could play though them in a single reading with little challenge.
Regards,
Robin
My take: as others have said, Fighting Fantasy actually had some sort of challenge (given, some of it could be quite arbitrary).
I only ever read the first Lone Wolf book, do remember liking it but also got through to the end on the first go. Please, please, please don't make it like Choose Your Own Adventure though - if Lone Wolf has atmospheric world-building but no challenge, then CYOA has no atmosphere and no challenge (while FF has the atmosphere and challenge).
The thing that FF got spot on though, was the presentation - Jackson and Livingstone insisted on getting in their own artists (being White Dwarf / Games Workshop stalwarts) - this presentation is sadly lacking in the latest editions.
Glad to hear someone mention the Spy's Guidebook. Loved these as a kid. Had the smaller paperback editions at various points, but tracked down the hardback 192-page edition some time back...published in 1978.
(http://i.imgur.com/oVu9aL1.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/nx6veAy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/MNNcGxr.jpg)
Does Usborne have a link to that too? I couldn't find one.
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 13 August, 2017, 09:45:28 PM
Anyway I got issue 1 from that there eBay and it was bloody good fun, so I've gone back and ordered the rest. Nice one.
The ego of a self quote... anyway got back from my trip to Liverpool (including a visit to the aforementioned Worlds Apart) to a full set of
Freeway Fighter and I pretty much loved it. It wasn't perfect, it didn't seem to stretch its 80 pages to maximum potential, it had a few too many, hold on what?!? moments (really he got away with [spoiler]being blow away from the ambulance[/spoiler] to be fine? And does wear its influences a little too openly
BUT
It looks astonishing, Simon Coleby is simply perfect for this. Generates a wonderful amount of atmosphere and more importantly left me wanting more.
So am I right in thinking this a prequel to the book, not read that in
years. To be honest the whole thing felt like set up and I want more.
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 17 August, 2017, 08:24:52 PM
So am I right in thinking this a prequel to the book, not read that in years. To be honest the whole thing felt like set up and I want more.
Yes. The idea is that comic leads directly into the gamebook.
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 17 August, 2017, 08:24:52 PM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 13 August, 2017, 09:45:28 PM
Anyway I got issue 1 from that there eBay and it was bloody good fun, so I've gone back and ordered the rest. Nice one.
The ego of a self quote... anyway got back from my trip to Liverpool (including a visit to the aforementioned Worlds Apart) to a full set of Freeway Fighter and I pretty much loved it. It wasn't perfect, it didn't seem to stretch its 80 pages to maximum potential, it had a few too many, hold on what?!? moments (really he got away with [spoiler]being blow away from the ambulance[/spoiler] to be fine? And does wear its influences a little too openly
BUT
It looks astonishing, Simon Coleby is simply perfect for this. Generates a wonderful amount of atmosphere and more importantly left me wanting more.
So am I right in thinking this a prequel to the book, not read that in years. To be honest the whole thing felt like set up and I want more.
I've read the first three parts and have loved it. It was great seeing the car from the original cover image of the game book.
It was always Mad Max in all but name so I don't mind that it feels a bit familiar in places. At the end of the day it's an action book and as you've said, Coleby has knocked it out of the park.
QuoteDoes Usborne have a link to that too? I couldn't find one.
Shockingly, Usborne is still in the business of trying to make money from its books! The old 1980s Computing stuff is available for free because it's pure nostalgia rather than anything new about Computers - but there's plenty of new stuff if that's your bag!
https://usborne.com/browse-books/catalogue/product/1/9570/lifttheflap-computers-and-coding/ (https://usborne.com/browse-books/catalogue/product/1/9570/lifttheflap-computers-and-coding/)
The Spy's Guidebook (and Detective's Handbook) got a minor revamp recently that you can buy. Don't worry, it's just a slightly different size and shape with a new cover, the bits on the inside are still the same! (including those fiendish puzzles with no solutions...)
https://usborne.com/browse-books/catalogue/product/1/8648/the-official-spys-handbook/ (https://usborne.com/browse-books/catalogue/product/1/8648/the-official-spys-handbook/)
Colin King, the artist on those books, is still going strong and is an absolute gent.
Knowing Usborne from the inside, my suspicion is that any new 'choose' your own adventure' books will err on the side of being easy to complete - but then, their target audience will be 6-8 year olds I expect. If they sell really well we might be allowed off the leash to do harder books for older children!
Thanks Alex.
Another forum that I'm a member on, rllmukforum, does regular group run-throughs of the Fighting Fantasy books.
The books are great and the threads for the books are even better.
Writing a new Fighting Fantasy book is very much like making love to a beautiful woman...
http://www.fightingfantasy.com/ff-gamebooks