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Post by sj1scot on Oct 8, 2022 13:21:56 GMT
Thanks Charles X! I agree, I really like the mechanics Andrew Chapman introduced. I certainly would not call it irrelevant, I just really enjoyed the open world feel of it. I do prefer fantasy though so looking forward to playing Seas of Blood next to see how AC does with it.
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Post by sj1scot on Dec 23, 2022 23:17:53 GMT
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Post by CharlesX on Dec 24, 2022 14:29:44 GMT
Mostly agree with your review, in that I like the concept but don't feel AC does it justice. I feel the same way you do about being a slaveholder - even though its a kids book from the 80s, surely AC could have shown more tact - perhaps having you pick up Treasure which you later sell. For me, difficulty has always been an issue with Seas Of Blood, as the high starting stats needed for completion (without the chance to improve Crew Strike in the game, either) are a step backwards from his slightly easy Space Assassin and his playable Rings Of Kether.
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Post by sj1scot on Dec 29, 2022 13:01:23 GMT
Yeah I think that would be a perfect change. Have treasure to sell instead. Would be quite fun actually getting to the markets and seeing if what you had found in a random temple is worth a Kings ransom or made of glass! For the AC trilogy I was surprise to find Rings of Kether was my favorite. Never thought a Sci-Fi would beat out a fantasy book for me!
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Post by sj1scot on Jan 2, 2023 0:28:30 GMT
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Post by slloyd14 on Jan 2, 2023 13:58:05 GMT
You're on a roll! I'm also glad that you are finally revealing the truth of what it was really like to work at Penguin.
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Post by CharlesX on Jan 2, 2023 15:09:08 GMT
While I appreciate this satire, the 'truth' might be Steve just felt like writing a superhero gamebook - he put a lot of effort into it, writing some 440 references (instead of fewer than 400 like he did with Starship Traveller), and I like the world-building in spite of its overpowering cheesiness and tenth-rate puns (the introduction reads like something you might see in a comic book or superhero show). I'd happily reread Appointment with F. E. A. R., where Starship Traveller feels plain and uninspired. I seem to recall The Count (before he apparently left the forum) mentioned he hated Appointment with F.E.A.R., and while I agree its horribly cliched, I wouldn't put it in my bottom 2 FF or maybe even the bottom half.
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Post by sj1scot on Jan 2, 2023 20:12:20 GMT
It does appear to be devisive! If I had read that as a kid I would have hated it. But today and writing critically of the books I cant help be amazed at the technical skill to put something like this together. I can not imagine it going in the bottom half! But its not just the technical side, its got so much more flavour and knits together so well. Especially after coming fresh off the disjointed Seas of Blood.
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Post by a moderator on Jan 2, 2023 20:29:01 GMT
For all the fun-poking that sj1scot indulged in, it's hard to get a more positive review than "I didn't want to like this, but I do like it."
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Post by Pete Byrdie on Jan 9, 2023 23:33:49 GMT
I've spent the last week reading through these reviews and I've found them incredibly entertaining. I've missed out City of Thieves because I'm playing it at the moment (or rather, I played it twice a week ago and intend to go back to it), and I don't want any clues, but I'm looking forward to your next review.
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Post by sj1scot on Jan 16, 2023 11:11:32 GMT
Thanks Pete! Good luck with city of thieves and let us know how it goes! The art in that one is fantastic!
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Post by sj1scot on Feb 7, 2023 23:05:02 GMT
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Post by CharlesX on Feb 8, 2023 12:05:57 GMT
Thanks for this review sj1scot I've also often thought Rebel Planet is overrated but at the same time it is an amazing FF and one of maybe half of good sci-fi FF (Sky Lord, Star Strider and Starship Traveller being failures in my book despite some good concepts). There's a lot of talk on this forum about reprints, and perhaps Rebel Planet could get a reprint or App version; I understand Starship Traveller has been adapted into a Tin Man App even though it is very much a poor sci-fi FF. I personally don't think the code-breaking in Rebel Planet is that hard, but then I'm comparing it with the puzzles in Tower Of Destruction and Deathmoor which a bright fifteen-year-old would struggle with, and I suspect have not been playtested. As you say Robin Waterfield excels at world-building here and I found the combination of an iron fist universe and nuanced aliens and planets to be derivative of Roddenberry, Lucas and Herbert when they were on their game. One of my stand-out moments was when you were hooked up to the machine by the Arcadian trying to hack into your mind - RW excels at writing these Shakespearian set-pieces.
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Post by sj1scot on Feb 8, 2023 19:57:55 GMT
Thanks Charles X! Really interesting insights on the reprints there. My guess are reprints or apps are not based on quality and more on who owns what as they always seem to focus on ones Ian and Steve wrote. Which is a shame as I would love to see reprints or even reworks of them all. You have worried me now though that I am if I couldn't handle the puzzle in this one I am in big trouble if I ever get as far as Tower of Destruction!
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Post by sj1scot on Mar 27, 2023 22:30:42 GMT
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Post by CharlesX on Mar 28, 2023 10:09:36 GMT
Really good as always sj1scot . Your two points about the potion and the sword, in particular the potion, are worth writing in Titannica (is the error in the introduction which mentions potions, perhaps without mentioning whether a potion of Fortune would increase your initial luck, or in the text which fails to mention a potion?). My point being I believe a potion of Fortune (as opposed to a Potion of Luck) normally increases your initial luck but don't know for sure. Yes, this gamebook deserves praise for its good writing and is arguably above Scorpion Swamp. After finding the perfect ending after only a few plays I weirdly enjoyed finding other endings such as the Dolphin and Sea Dragon more - this gamebook really feels like an RPG.
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Post by sj1scot on Mar 28, 2023 21:45:22 GMT
Thanks Charles X! The alternate endings really appealed to me along with the fairness of the book. I still think 400 should have been for the best one though. But I just seem to really enjoy Steve Jackson 2.
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Post by slloyd14 on Mar 29, 2023 23:25:48 GMT
I enjoyed Demons of the Deep for its openness and that you have multiple paths to victory. I also loved Cyrano who gave you a big skill bonus if you lost a fight with him which is a great way of balancing the difficulty.
As far as your blog is concerned, I love it. I'm enjoying the bizarre backstories as to how each FF book was written. I'm glad we are finally discovering the truth behind the workings of Fighting Fantasy!
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Post by sj1scot on Mar 30, 2023 20:21:47 GMT
Thanks slloyd14! I must admit I did start the background section looking for the actual story but there is not that much out there. And after reading Murrays Freeway Fighter review at turnto400 about Steve and Ian writing the book in a garage I just decided to go down that route. Only problem is it has to be more outrageous each time. Would love it to be true though!
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Post by slloyd14 on Mar 31, 2023 19:48:55 GMT
By Bloodbones the backstory is going to be at the same epic level of Avengers Endgame with Johnathan Green trying to save the universe through the medium of gamebooks.
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Post by sj1scot on Apr 16, 2023 11:17:15 GMT
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Post by CharlesX on Apr 16, 2023 21:06:31 GMT
Sword Of The Samurai is definitely one of my favourite FFs too, for all kinds of reasons. As someone who appreciates artwork I kind of agree that Wizard's might be better, and agree with most of your other points and your backstory I can't help but wonder whether blowing up a warehouse's contents makes brilliant narrative sense, although the constant jokes about Starship Traveller had me laughing! Thanks you and please continue!
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Post by sj1scot on Apr 16, 2023 21:35:15 GMT
Thanks Charles, I was worried it might be sacrilegious to like a Wizard cover over the original!
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kieran
Baron
Posts: 2,547
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
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Post by kieran on Apr 17, 2023 16:53:21 GMT
I also prefer the Wizard cover. The face of the samurai always looked weird to me on the Puffin cover and he looks like he's dancing a little jig.
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Post by sj1scot on Apr 17, 2023 17:01:56 GMT
Now that you have said that, I cant un-see it! Haha
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Post by Pete Byrdie on Apr 17, 2023 18:15:32 GMT
The backgrounds on these reviews are getting more and more ridiculous and I'm here for it. Keep up the good work, very enjoyable.
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Post by sj1scot on Apr 17, 2023 19:28:38 GMT
Thanks Pete, They are going to have to get more ridiculous as it goes on!
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Post by sj1scot on Apr 20, 2023 18:17:58 GMT
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Post by CharlesX on Apr 20, 2023 18:41:08 GMT
I know we've said this before but Appointment with FEAR is going to divide people. I'm not a fan but I get why people would like it, it's very original, has good writing, multiple paths, sense of atmosphere, humorous\satirical and more. It doesn't seem as thrilling to me as other FFs, this is a bit of a curse with sci-fi FFs that whatever their merits (and they definitely have some, which is why quite a few were written) they can struggle to seem as evocative and powerful as fantasy and mainstream FFs. Temple Of Terror's Giant Sandworm for me is one of the strengths of Temple Of Terror not only because it is reminiscent of Dune, but also for its "wheat from the chaff" appearance as an early monster, with its similar stats to your end opponent (should you negate their attack strength advantage). I agree though that at this time like most Livingstone Sir Ian didn't exactly allow for adventurers who roll average stats let alone below-average or minimum, although this was before his slide into mad adventures with 50 50 rolls to even pass and 25% or under chances of winning (with max starting stats, naturally). Thank you!
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Post by sj1scot on Apr 20, 2023 19:18:25 GMT
All good points Charles! I would have quite liked all Fighting Fantasy to be based on Titan (Not Titan City). But yeah I thought the same as you going into it. Maybe its because I played it on holiday but I got far more into it than I thought possible.
What Cover would you have gone for? Demons?
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