|
|
Post by CharlesX on Oct 10, 2021 14:57:09 GMT
What are some of your favourite FF introductions from just before the adventure?
Obviously Creature Of Havoc ranks very high, with its description, information, length and red herrings. There are certain things in COH you never find out, which is a wonderful sense of mystery. The introduction in Seige Of Sardath, with its sudden dramatic ending and the picture which accompanies the first reference, is pretty memorable. Magehunter has a strong introduction and first paragraph.
|
|
|
|
Post by pip on Oct 10, 2021 15:57:32 GMT
I was going to mention Siege of Sardath and Creature of Havoc as well.
I'll add Deathtrap Dungeon's intro (when you meet the contestants and see them enter the dungeon one by one, until it's your turn). It's very atmospheric and gives you an appropriate sense of dread. Livingstone didn't quite capture the same atmosphere for the sequel.
|
|
|
|
Post by a moderator on Oct 10, 2021 16:36:33 GMT
Siege was the one that immediately came to mind.
As regards the 'amnesiac protagonist' FF books, I think Black Vein Prophecy handles the pre-section 1 intro better than Creature.
|
|
|
|
Post by dragonwarrior8 on Oct 10, 2021 17:31:34 GMT
House of Hell for sure. Incredibly atmospheric and creeped the heck out of me as a kid (and still does). Set up the adventure so well.
.....WATCH OUT!
|
|
|
|
Post by bloodbeasthandler on Oct 10, 2021 17:45:22 GMT
It's a coincidence you creating this thread - I've been thinking of doing exactly the same thing for a couple of days now.
And the ones already mentioned do stand out.
Siege of Sardath you get a good intro of 'there's funny things going on in the woods' .. but then a creepy admission from Morn Preeler that he had been killed and his identity assumed... followed by para 1 and a nicely-done combat in which the enemy likely tries to escape at one point. I think it's probably my favourite intro and para 1.
Creature of Havoc is quite a lot of background information which has no apparent relevance to what is actually going on in para 1 [where you also have an introduction to that secret language.
And BVP starts with a bang - you're face to face with a dead body.
Moonrunner is another good introduction then the assassination of Marshal Bennett immediately puts you in a dilemma - search the desk for more information or pursue the assassin immediately?
All these beginnings are enhanced by being accompanied by an impactful illustration.
There is still something to be said for the more sedate start to an FF book though, where tension can be built up from a relatively slower start. Maybe Dead of Night fits into this. Edit: and House of Hell as dragonwarrior said.
|
|
kieran
Baron
Posts: 2,462
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
|
Post by kieran on Oct 10, 2021 17:49:27 GMT
Apart from those already mentioned:
Caverns of the Snow Witch has (I think) the only intro with an accompanying illustration. That pic of a grizzled Big Jim Sun really sets the atmosphere for the rest of the book.
Talisman of Death's is a bit different with you being plucked from another world then hobnobbing with gods before being thrown straight into the action.
I like the way Luke Sharp's backgrounds tend to be written like encyclopedias.
Phantoms of Fear's background and Section 1 combo is very atmospheric.
Sky Lord's intro is probably the high point of the book.
Portal of Evil has some philosophical musing on the desire for gold that I always liked.
The Crimson Tide is rather unique in giving you such a strong personal goal.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Count on Oct 10, 2021 18:44:27 GMT
Siege of Sardath, Phantoms of Fear, Vault of the Vampire, Revenge of the Vampire, Legend of the Shadow Warriors, Chasms of Malice and Black Vein Prophecy all spring to mind.
I quite like those for Scorpion Swamp, Trial of Champions and Demons of the Deep as well, but they aren't particularly memorable or attention grabbing, but they do set the scene nicely.
Creature of Havoc is among my least favourite and it is a complete waste of time, and immediately undermines the whole point of the story as you aren't supposed to know anything!
|
|
|
|
Post by daredevil123 on Oct 10, 2021 18:53:10 GMT
One of my favourites not yet mentioned is City of Thieves. The intro creates a palpable level of dread as the townsfolk hide from the Moon Dogs, and the way Owen Carralif pleads for your help actually makes you care about the people you're saving. Perhaps my favourite part, however, is the black cat that almost trips you, which is implied to be Zanbar Bone himself.
|
|
sylas
Baron
"Don't just adventure for treasure; treasure the adventure!"
Posts: 1,679 
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy, Way of the Tiger
|
Post by sylas on Oct 10, 2021 23:38:10 GMT
I have to agree that as great the intro lore is in Creature of Havoc, it's completely irrelevant in regards to what you should and need to know at that point in time.
Black Vein Prophecy has the best intro. Either literally NOTHING, or the one you discover right at the final scene.
Other great ones are Vault of the Vampire, House of Hell, even Crystal of Storms has a good one.
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter on Oct 11, 2021 7:25:52 GMT
Perhaps my favourite part, however, is the black cat that almost trips you, which is implied to be Zanbar Bone himself. I never thought of that! I just took it as read, that it was a bad omen. |
|
|
|
Post by bloodbeasthandler on Oct 11, 2021 17:10:43 GMT
Seven Serpents has a good start too - attack by the Nighthawks followed by the arrival of the Goldcrest Eagle and a nice little illustration of a sealed letter incorporated into the text. And again it's accompanied by an illustration.
In general we seem to prefer the more dramatic starts don't we?
|
|
|
|
Post by a moderator on Oct 11, 2021 17:22:16 GMT
In general we seem to prefer the more dramatic starts don't we? It has to be more than just that. Jonathan Green's books almost always have the reader confronting an opponent by the end of the first section, but none of them have yet had a mention here. |
|
sylas
Baron
"Don't just adventure for treasure; treasure the adventure!"
Posts: 1,679
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy, Way of the Tiger
|
Post by sylas on Oct 11, 2021 22:28:55 GMT
In general we seem to prefer the more dramatic starts don't we? It has to be more than just that. Jonathan Green's books almost always have the reader confronting an opponent by the end of the first section, but none of them have yet had a mention here. It was good at first, but then he did it with every single FF book which made it feel less special. Every first scene is a combat encounter. |
|
|
|
Post by petch on Oct 12, 2021 10:08:39 GMT
Lots of good ones already mentioned! If I just had to pick my favourites though, it'd be Creature of Havoc for the best background section and Phantoms of Fear for best paragraph 1. With an honourable mention going to The Warlock of Firetop Mountain for its memorable line about the mountain face looking to have been 'savaged by the claws of some gargantuan beast'.
|
|
|
|
Post by The Count on Oct 12, 2021 10:26:31 GMT
It has to be more than just that. Jonathan Green's books almost always have the reader confronting an opponent by the end of the first section, but none of them have yet had a mention here. It was good at first, but then he did it with every single FF book which made it feel less special. Every first scene is a combat encounter. And Keith Martin did it first so it wasn't as impactful if you'd read Island of the Undead before any Green books |
|
|
|
Post by a moderator on Oct 12, 2021 13:22:52 GMT
In general we seem to prefer the more dramatic starts don't we? It has to be more than just that. Jonathan Green's books almost always have the reader confronting an opponent by the end of the first section, but none of them have yet had a mention here. It was good at first, but then he did it with every single FF book which made it feel less special. Every first scene is a combat encounter. And Keith Martin did it first so it wasn't as impactful if you'd read Island of the Undead before any Green books It was because Keith Martin introduced the 'fight in section 1' approach to FF that the doomed companions killed by the Boneshaker in section 1 of Yellow Snow II were named Keef and Marty. |
|
|
|
Post by schlendrian on Oct 12, 2021 15:31:43 GMT
I agree with Caverns of the Snow Witch and Deathtrap Dungeon, and - if you're reading it for the first time - Island of the Lizard King does a great job of igniting the suspense of adventuring with a close friend 
House of Hell always irked me with the telephone lines - if I don't notice them, I shouldn't be told at all. After all I am me.
|
|
kieran
Baron
Posts: 2,462
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
|
Post by kieran on Oct 12, 2021 15:50:52 GMT
|
|
