|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:39:23 GMT
From TUFFF... I own a French version of this book though I've never played it, let me explain: It was a leftover, unclaimed copy brought by an unknown person to my last job. So it was left there, in the employees "lounge" (or rathole would be a better adjective) and when we lost the contract to the place (it was a security job), I claim it as my own instead of seeing it go to the garbage.
I'm a big softie, I know.
So, even though I felt no urge to play this book I brought it home, and ended up never playing it since I instead started gathering the original versions of all the FF, and now this, reading it all in order. So there I am.
I must say, no wonder why I didn't want to read it, with such a cheesy cover. The cover, and one of the subject matter of the book, Giant Robots battling Dinosaurs, really dates it to the middle of the eighties, when Transformers was all the rage (and a hint of UFO Robo Grendizer, perhaps?) and Dinosaurs, well... since when Dinosaurs are not a hit with young boys? Or so Steve Jackson must have thought as he planned a book that could possibly not fail for the targeted readers. Except that such a niche book ages poorly, both in concept and story, and we are left with questions that shouldn't matter like: Why are Terrestrial Dinosaurs found on another planet? Doesn't evolution itself would negate such a phenomenon?
Moving on. Inside illos by Gary Mayes are mostly okay, but of course, art being very subjective, his style does not suit my taste. Too busy, too much straight lines... some interesting robots but most of them bland rip-off of Autobots ...and that fat Tyrannosaurus. Damn.
Jackson here blends together his previous vision of Scorpion Swamp and Demons of the Deep; the gameplay is pretty much free-roaming style à la Scorpion while the story is more focus like Demons. But it's not much of a story. It's not a complete bust but it's pretty much oversimplified (x bad guys are invading my country!) which pretty much ensure clichés (I'm the only one who can save the world from x bad guys!). Throw in elements of robots and dinosaurs and it's pretty much geek heaven. Oh wait... Too bad it's missing the scantily clad ladies... but there should be a few lying around... mwahaha!
The fact that it's free-roaming also makes the atmosphere of the book suffer. And really, with a cliché story all that's left to salvage it is atmosphere (and gameplay, but I'm not going into that territory). Here, it's lacking most of the time, especially in the non-organic way of moving around, just popping in a new city, always going to the same point to pick a new choice, like you are some plastic piece on a gameboard, and not a hero travelling through the world's elements. You just don't feel anything, and because of this, it's hard getting into the book. It doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it, in a casual way, but I'm not sure the author was going for casual.
At the very least, there were some interesting set-pieces, some interesting robots and not as much Dinosaurs as I anticipated. You know, you get what you can from what you got. And three different endings, which should make replaying the book less of a chore, perhaps... Speak in extremes, it will save you time.
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:43:49 GMT
From TUFFF... I thought it was an ok book for a Sci-fi Fighting Fantasy. Surely light years ahead the sleep-inducing Starship Traveller or dreadfully unfunny (but not for lack of trying) Sky Lord. I have to say from the cover I was certain I wouldn't like it but as it turns out I thought it was one of the decent Sci-Fi FF books. It doesn't have much to do with transformers and the robots don't come across in the book as cartoony as the cover would lead you to believe. Though the dinosaur planet angle was a weird choice. I'd put it third below Rebel Planet and Star Strider (which for some reason most people don't like). Spoiler: I thought one of the ending that involved shooting some drug into a storm to wake up your fellow citizens was completely ridiculous and I basically replayed the book just to choose a different ending. About the cover, I liked that alternate version of the title, obviously based on the art: I still dont know which title is more awful though, Robot Commando or the French version title which translates to (literally and lazily translated) The Great Threat of the Robots? Probably the original is better.......but a better title might have been a good idea. Then again the sci fi ones suck for this (Sky Lord? Star Strider? Starship Traveller? wow......you just can't WAIT to open these ones....)
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:44:37 GMT
From TUFFF... I really like the gameplay side to this book. The title IS awful though, it's like Transformers with their pants down. Two Words
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:45:21 GMT
From TUFFF... I suppose they were a bit stuck with the title. "Flying Around In Fake Transformers With Everyone In The Place Asleep" would lack oomph.
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:45:54 GMT
From TUFFF... Ya know how we all say some of these titles suck big time, why don't we come up with some alternative, hopefully better, titles of our own? Two Words
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:47:00 GMT
From TUFFF... The sci-fi titles are truly cheesy. I mean, most FF titles are cheesy, but they really lay it thick on the sci-fi's...
Still, most of them fit the bill, just like a James Bond title is only a James Bond title when it sounds that way... er, you know. Alternate cheesy title for RC: Clash of the Machines!
You need the exclamation point at the end... Speak in extremes, it will save you time.
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:47:40 GMT
From TUFFF... For Robot Commando, something like The Awakening might have been more intriguing. Star Strider as a title really is appalling. Operation Mindwarp or something like that would have been better (a link to the turned robots). Skylord would have been better had the title and the book been replaced by a giant turd. Starship Traveller is OK in its context, Rebel Planet is not really accurate as the rebel faction is tiny, maybe Earth Resistance would be more fitting.
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:48:31 GMT
From TUFFF... Operation Mindwarp actually sounds pretty decent. How about Breath of the Ancient for a certain 'other' book. Two Words
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:49:31 GMT
From TUFFF... Those are not bad titles per se, Vastariner, but sounds a tad bit too serious, and definitely un-FF-like. Though I realise that might be your point...
They sound like DTV somehow. Speak in extremes, it will save you time.
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:50:36 GMT
From TUFFF... The sci-fi titles are truly cheesy. I mean, most FF titles are cheesy, but they really lay it thick on the sci-fi's... Don't see much of a difference between the fantasy and sf books to be honest. Temple of Terror and Revenge of the Vampire sound like sub-par Hammer horrors. I actually think Rogue Tracer would be a better title than Star Strider. It's got a Blade Runner-like sound to it. Plus you're repeatedly called Rogue Tracer in the book while as only the background ever uses the term Star Strider.
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:51:41 GMT
From TUFFF... Those are not bad titles per se, Vastariner, but sounds a tad bit too serious, and definitely un-FF-like. Though I realise that might be your point... This is serious thread. I am serious Vastariner.
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:53:36 GMT
From TUFFF... Yes, the internet is serious business, Vastariner, I agree!! Let's all put on our serious faces... You are totally right, Kieran, both for the Rogue Tracer comment and the cheesiness factor being just as prevalent in all FF titles.
I guess it just feel so much easier to cheese up a sci-fi title than anything else, somehow... or perhaps the fantasy titles can retain a sense of dread even through cheesy titles while sci-fi's usually don't have that going for them...
...just picking apart the concept here, folks, trying to ponder the mysteries of cheese.
[ insert emoticon showing I'm not being that serious ] Speak in extremes, it will save you time.
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:54:19 GMT
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:54:49 GMT
From TUFFF... Shouldn't that comment be in the City of Brieves topic, Vastariner? Speak in extremes, it will save you time.
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:56:08 GMT
From TUFFF... ***SPOILERS AHEAD*** The combination of robots and dinosaurs alone gives this one an extra dimension of cool. The Transformers craze is piggy-backed, especially for the Myrmidon plane/humanoid machines, but Steve Jackson (US) uses the idea to form a world all of his own. The robot combat works well because the basic rules do not deviate too far from the standard FF model tweaked a little with uncomplicated combat and speed bonuses. The value-added element that the robots bring is in their individual special abilities, which vary considerably in both their power and application. The only negative thing that I have to say about the book's robots is that there aren't enough combats included. Although I'm no great fan of cars, robots do get my fanboy heart racing, especially when you can climb inside them and control them. It's great that there is such a mixture of robots to discover, from weaker robots that are handy until you find something meaner(the Walker Robot, the Stilter, the Farm Robot...) to the few big boys (Myrmidons and the Robotank). There are some highly imaginative concepts for some of the robots, many of which were not built with combat specifically in mind, such as the digger robot, which is slow, but is well armoured and has a shovel that can deliver a six-point clout. The Hedgehog Robot with it's back bristling with defences against air attacks is both quirky and inventive. Serpent VII is designed to be faster in jungle terrain, which is of little use in-game, but does give extra insight as to another way in which the dinosaur ranchers got about when they were awake. As with his previous effort, Demons of the Deep, Jackson has structured the game to include multiple successes. Unlike that underwater frolic, all three successful outcomes are of equal weighting. The two outcomes which involve defeating Karossean leader Minos in battle (either face-to-face or using robot combat) are of moderate difficulty and feel just about epic enough to be satisfying. The third option is to wake everyone up by using a wonder chemical - this is a) far too easy to accomplish, and b) a much too abrupt success, which means that you don't even get to meet the bad guy. The way that Thalos is divided into separate themed cities may not be terribly realistic, but does give exploration an interesting edge. It also helps to refine the investigation that you need to do to defeat the Karosseans because you can direct yourself to the purpose-built areas with more purpose - a step up from the blind fumblings of The Rings of Kether for sure. It makes little sense of course to have a whole city where the population's entire leisure facilities, buildings of worship, etc. are housed. (At least that is what the text implies). Sometimes, the fun of exploring these areas loses focus, most painfully when you're given a choice of three different arcade games to play. Video games whilst all my friends are unconscious and the land has been invaded? Really?! I find my self having so much fun in Robot Commando that I am far more willing to forgive its more unconvincing aspects than I am of any other sci-fi FF. One notable limitation which - amazingly - does little to harm the book, is that there are very few characters besides yourself. The Karosseans you meet are generally quite one-dimensional, even Minos. Everyone else is an android (aside from a giant ape which, erm, helps you to repair your robot). Usually the worth any book, FF or otherwise, relies heavily on its characters. I think that Robot Commando succeeds with so little characterisation because the eerie emptiness of the land is so palpable; a more inward-looking adventure shall we say. By far the best FF sci-fi of all time and - come to that - the only triumph that the range has ever had with that genre. This book also features the best work from Gary Mayes, who has realised the imaginative concepts of the robots perfectly, even adding a lot of character to more mundane machines such as the Cargo Crab (143). His dinosaurs are satisfactory, but not a patch on the robots - the best is the annoyed Ankylosaurus (400).
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:57:19 GMT
From TUFFF... A great positive review for a gamebook that deserves a lot more than its reception - this book is not widely popular among readers. I do like this one myself. Okay, it's not flawless but it does have its charms. I actually enjoyed Robot Commando so much I made a boardgame of it some time back.
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:58:22 GMT
From TUFFF... The robot combat works well because the basic rules do not deviate too far from the standard FF model tweaked a little with uncomplicated combat and speed bonuses. My main problem with the robot combat is it favours speed way too much. A fast, barely armoured robot will tend to demolish a heavily armoured, but slow robot which doesn't really amke sense to me. Steve would have been better coming up with a combat system more different to teh core rules in my mind. I must admit I find this the dullest FF. The cities aren't very interesting and there are few momorable encounters. (IMO)
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:59:21 GMT
From TUFFF... I will be selling the original art from this book soon if interested? Jamie Editor of the Official Fighting Fantasy website - www.fightingfantasy.com
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 15:59:45 GMT
From TUFFF... One thing I've always found strange about this book is that medkits only heal 1 Stamina point, generally meaning they get used up very fast. Does anyone know if this is a misprint?
|
|
|
Post by thealmightymudworm on Oct 17, 2013 16:00:31 GMT
From TUFFF... I don't think it's a misprint. The author was probably being stingy. Despite this, you can do just as well without them as your robots will be taking most of the damage. Still, these medkits are a lot more useful than the ones in BotZ. Two Words
|
|
|
Post by a moderator on Nov 24, 2013 16:42:13 GMT
Salvaged from the 'Books in Order' thread:
|
|
|
Post by johnbrawn1972 on Sept 8, 2017 22:06:12 GMT
This is the next of my 99p buys and I realise I have done them slightly out of order.
This is a very enjoyable post-modern romp and I am not surprised it is the most acclaimed of the futuristic books.
I have done my own solution which I will post shortly. I think the solution already posted is probably better in terms of taking advantage of the rules but the only thing I find impossible is taking a huge tank, which makes a Panzer look puny, into a jungle. I realise this is not specifically excluded in the rules but I have gone for the Serpent VII which is clearly designed for jungle exploration. I would suggest this is what the book has in mind.
The only other thing I have added is going for the luck boosting amulet. This allows you to test your luck twice against the Man-Trap Plant(any relation to the Star Trek episode)finishing it off in 2 attack rounds.
|
|
sylas
Baron
"Don't just adventure for treasure; treasure the adventure!"
Posts: 1,677
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy, Way of the Tiger
|
Post by sylas on Sept 8, 2017 23:00:14 GMT
I never could decide which was the better robot - Robotank for the toughness and damage or Trooper XI for the speed and land/air mode.
|
|
nicodemus
Squire
Posts: 20
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy and Sorcery!
|
Post by nicodemus on Sept 13, 2017 17:11:17 GMT
Well... All I have to say is, if it wasn't for this book I wasn't really going to read anymore FF. It was my second book (yes because my first book was Starship Traveller and I wasn't much impressed with it, since I was 9 or 10 years), ultimately, the book that hooked me onto the series. Must have played like 10 times in that week. Combat system was and still is (I guess) amazing, the story was more compelling back then, now it's generic but good. So I guess my journey with FF was manly Sci-Fi, after that I picked up again Starship Traveller and like it more (now it's one of my favourites). Of course eventually I read all the others, but Sci-Fi was always intersting to me. I really love Planet Rebel, and for me it's not just the best Sci-Fi in FF, it is indeed one of the best FF books. Robin Waterfield was always a bit neglected in the series. But is contribution for this genre is immense. Honorable mentions to Star Strider and Rings of Kether... good picks for Sci-Fi lovers.
|
|
sylas
Baron
"Don't just adventure for treasure; treasure the adventure!"
Posts: 1,677
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy, Way of the Tiger
|
Post by sylas on Sept 13, 2017 22:48:51 GMT
Well... All I have to say is, if it wasn't for this book I wasn't really going to read anymore FF. It was my second book (yes because my first book was Starship Traveller and I wasn't much impressed with it, since I was 9 or 10 years), ultimately, the book that hooked me onto the series. Must have played like 10 times in that week. Combat system was and still is (I guess) amazing, the story was more compelling back then, now it's generic but good. So I guess my journey with FF was manly Sci-Fi, after that I picked up again Starship Traveller and like it more (now it's one of my favourites). Of course eventually I read all the others, but Sci-Fi was always intersting to me. I really love Planet Rebel, and for me it's not just the best Sci-Fi in FF, it is indeed one of the best FF books. Robin Waterfield was always a bit neglected in the series. But is contribution for this genre is immense. Honorable mentions to Star Strider and Rings of Kether... good picks for Sci-Fi lovers. I always found Space Assassin quite fun too even though it's filled with weird encounters that don't always make sense. Heart of Ice by Dave Morris is arguably the best SciFi gamebook around. It's not FF but it is an outstanding adventure.
|
|
kieran
Baron
Posts: 2,436
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
|
Post by kieran on Sept 14, 2017 9:38:16 GMT
Well... All I have to say is, if it wasn't for this book I wasn't really going to read anymore FF. It was my second book (yes because my first book was Starship Traveller and I wasn't much impressed with it, since I was 9 or 10 years), ultimately, the book that hooked me onto the series. Must have played like 10 times in that week. Combat system was and still is (I guess) amazing, the story was more compelling back then, now it's generic but good. So I guess my journey with FF was manly Sci-Fi, after that I picked up again Starship Traveller and like it more (now it's one of my favourites). Of course eventually I read all the others, but Sci-Fi was always intersting to me. I really love Planet Rebel, and for me it's not just the best Sci-Fi in FF, it is indeed one of the best FF books. Robin Waterfield was always a bit neglected in the series. But is contribution for this genre is immense. Honorable mentions to Star Strider and Rings of Kether... good picks for Sci-Fi lovers. Nice to see the sci-fi books get some love. Not a huge fan of Robot Commando or Starship Traveller but Rebel Planet and Rings of Kether are solid IMO and I like elements of Star Strider, Freeway Fighter and Space Assassin. And well Sky Lord is certainly an experience.
|
|
|
Post by daredevil123 on Aug 23, 2018 16:47:47 GMT
I recently bought this book and decided to log my playthroughs. I have been playing as honestly as possible, using the system of naming each character alphabetically (after a sci-fi character). I will claim perfect stats if I cycle through the alphabet twice.
Anakin Skywalker (10-17-11) is trapped in a laboratory and killed by mutations. Embarrassing.
Boba Fett (7-18-12) is killed in an elevator crash.
Captain Kirk (8-18-8) is captured by the Karosseans and ends up in the slave pits. At least he didn't die.
Darth Maul (10-17-9) dies of injuries sustained while escaping the capital hospital.
Ebony Maw (7-21-11) finds the invisibility cloak and assassinates Minos! Then he gets killed by the tyrant's officers. A "glorious failure " but sadly not an optimal ending...
Fry (10-15-10) has his robot destroyed by a mine. Rather less glorious.
Groot (7-20-8) takes a wrong turning and is captured by the Karosseans. I am Groot.
Han Solo (10-16-8) has his robot blasted out of the sky by the enemy.
IG-88 (12-20-8) deals a severe blow to the invaders in battle, but is killed. The capital city is proving lethal!
Jabba the Hutt (8-19-7) is captured while stealing gold. Quite appropriate actually.
Kylo Ren (10-17-7) is refused the right to duel Minos and fails his mission. I'm sure I'm getting close...
Luke Skywalker (12-18-10) is captured by the Karosseans while attempting to go for the Sword of State. See you around, kids.
Mace Windu (8-19-10) is killed in combat by a Karossean officer. So close to winning...
Nien Nunb (9-23-12) defeats Minos in fair combat and saves his people! Victory at last!
In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this book (although I found the amount of note-taking a bit tedious) and will play through it again soon to access the other successful endings. I also love the endings where you fail but still accomplish something (such as killing Minos or damaging the invaders' force).It took me a bit longer than it should have due to inadvertently going down the most difficult route to victory and struggling to find the way through to Minos without getting lost or killed in the capital city.
I will now begin attempting Chasms of Malice - apparently a somewhat less forgiving book...
|
|
|
Post by soulreaver on Apr 20, 2023 12:30:27 GMT
This is a fun book, though not the most memorable. I like that it unabashedly and unapologetically combines two cool things young boys are likely keen on - giant robots and dinosaurs - and then just lets you enjoy it. This makes it one of the better sci-fi books, since 'fun' seems to have been its main driver. It's also not a particularly cruel or difficult book, unlike some of its contemporaries in the series.
However... I am very confused by the rules for Skill in adventure - it contradicts itself in two sentences literally right next to each other: "Your SKILL score can never exceed its Initial value. However, bonuses (from artefacts or robots with a COMBAT BONUS) can add to your SKILL no matter how high its level is." And we also get this line earlier, which is very similar to the usual spiel but sounds oddly specific regarding Initial scores: "Although you may be awarded additional SKILL, STAMINA and LUCK points, these totals may never exceed your Initial scores unless something specifically occurs to change your Initial scores."
Sooo... what is it? CAN the 'bonuses' add to my Skill no matter how high its level is, even if that means 'higher than its Initial level'? Or does the 'you can't ever exceed your Initial value' thing apply here too?
I always thought that this book intended to let you use the Skill bonuses to piloting robots/personal combat even if it takes you over your Initial level... but there's a few things that count against that interpretation:
Firstly: there are no points in this book where an Initial Skill score would even come into play, if its intention was just to stop anything other than 'bonuses' from exceeding your Initial Skill. As far as I can see, there are no Skill restores in his book at all, only Skill 'bonuses', as the book calls them. So why have an Initial Skill score at all if not to put a hard limit on maximum Skill?
Secondly: once, and only once, at 352, we get this instruction for a bonus: "increase your SKILL and your Initial SKILL by 1 (for personal combat only)". No other bonuses have an instruction to adjust your Initial Skill, all others just say Skill. So does that mean this is the only one that lets you exceed the Skill you rolled up to begin with (and even then only in personal combat)? Or did the writers feel they needed to add that instruction because, unlike most other bonuses, this one is not due to an "artefact" (though paragraph 79 gives a Skill bonus to robots that also does not stem from an artefact... and says nothing about Initial Skill)?
My take: there are no special 'reasons' for the above and I'm overthinking it. The author most likely wanted any 'bonus' to let you exceed your Initial Skill but explained it poorly and handled it inconsistently.
What's your take?
|
|
|
Post by CharlesX on Apr 20, 2023 12:42:00 GMT
I've never read Robot Commando but I'm unfortunately not surprised by these apparent inconsistencies, my first feeling is very much the same as your take is.
I would put an abridged version of your remarks in Titannica if they are not there already.
|
|
|
Post by vastariner on Apr 20, 2023 19:38:47 GMT
I assume that the skill bonus thing is meant to be that if you have a McGuffin that adds to skill, then your skill stays the same, but the McGuffin helps with a skill roll, so you lose the skill bonus if you lose the McGuffin. In essence a difference between "genetic" skill (no going over max) and "clothing" skill. This is a fun book, though not the most memorable. I like that it unabashedly and unapologetically combines two cool things young boys are likely keen on - giant robots and dinosaurs - and then just lets you enjoy it. Imagine an FF version of this...
|
|