Some small photos...

of some small (scale) things!

I will apologize in advance for the poor quality of these shots, I only had a few minutes after a rather good RPG session to take them!

For anyone interested, here is my Italian States fleet as it currently stands.

 The Pride of the fleet, my 'never ever been used and not likely to be' Battleship!

 Unlike these poor little guys. The oft sunk Frigates...

 My big beautiful carrier. Oh how often it has been boarded and captured by unfriendly Germans...

 A terrible shot of my deadly tiny flyers. Underestimate at your peril...

 My personal favs have to be my dirty little Destroyers. Subs and attacking flyers beware =)

 The most dangerous units in the Fleet are my Torpedo bombers, huge range and an almost infinite ability to get blown out of the sky...

 The always useful and constantly blamed Cruisers. One out of three of them is bound to end up sucking the whole game.

Last but by no means least, my beautiful attack boats. So small as to seem no threat at all... until they sink an enemy Battleship or two! (then they are subjected to a form of Naval genocide by opposing flyers...)

There you go!
Hopefully we'll be having a big four way bash soon and I can show you the Fleet in action against the other nations inferior (but somehow usually victorious...) navies.

Cool, have fun till then! =)

Ace

Sunday full of RPG goodness.

And no, I'm not talking about rocket propelled grenades...

After a fab day of catching up with friends, nerding out with mates (Iron Kingdoms RPG!) and having a bit of a drink I even had time left to write a review of the last FF book I've read.

How good is that??

#13 Freeway Fighter

Life is lawless and dangerous. Survivors like you either live in scattered, fortified towns, or roam outside as bandits. YOUR mission is to cross the wilderness to the far-distant oil-refinery at San Anglo and bring vital supplies back to the peaceful town of New Hope. Even in the armed Dodge Interceptor you are given, the journey will be wild and perilous. Will YOU survive?

Oh yeah...
This is the one.

How cool is this book? I know I've probably exclaimed that almost every book in the FF range was my fav at one time or another - I'm an incurable over exaggerator - but this time I mean it!
Along with Joe Dever's 'Highway Warrior' series, this has to be the book I started and finished the most often.

Just look at that cover! (not mine BTW, the one I own from my spotty youth has bits of tape holding it on...) Its Mad Max without Captain annoying! If, like me, you wanted nothing more than to watch Mel Giboard burn around in a suped-up V8, then play 'Battle Cars' or 'Dark Future' but of course didn't have those games (or any friends who would have played them...) then THIS was the ultimate adventure book!

Speaking of the art, the fantastic cover was created by none other than the mighty Jim Burns who is a veteran SF and apocalyptic scene artist par excellence. His work adorns so many books I saw as a kid that I couldn't even remember half of them if I tried! Interesting then that the interior illos are supplied by one Kevin Bulmer, who like so many illustrators for this series, only got the one book to work in. I always liked the art in this book as it had a realistic edge to it - a graphic feeling. I was reminded about it a while back when I was re reading 'Bean Bandit' by Kenichi Sonoda - famous for the 'Gunsmith Cats' Manga. Sonoda always went for a photo-realistic edge to his portrayals of vehicles and weapons, and thats the feeling I get from Bulmer's work here. Funny that now in the age of the internet I get to look up the unfortunately late Mr Bulmer and discover he was world famous for his work in the field of 2d-3d graphics! Live and learn I guess =)

Ok so the book itself plays like most other FF books, with the awesome exception that you have separate stats for your Interceptor vehicle as well. So cool! There's plenty of both in car and foot-bound fighting to be had and most of the enemies look like they climbed right out of 'The Road Warrior' movie (even down to a machine gun toting 'Humongous' look alike in a motorized chariot!)
The car stats are pretty basic but allow for the use of a few special weapons (spikes, oil slick etc) and of course the most important stat of all - FUEL.

And this is the only gripe I have of the book as a whole - your reliance on finding fuel. I'm sure its been commented on in other reviews so I wont make a big deal out of it, except to say that it really is the only limiting factor of this book. The annoyance of winning the battles, getting the info/items and then outrunning a bunch of gangers only to then run dry is frustrating to say the least.
And yes, before you ask, I did cheat... quite a bit...

That aside, there's nothing wrong with this adventure, which stands alone in its choice of scenario. 


 

Look, it's not my fault!

I just get busy alright??

Lots to photograph and post including my now completed Italian States Naval Force for Dystopian Wars. Just finished reading the first book in David Cornwall's 'Grail Quest' series (very good!) A few other projects nearing completion (and one that IS actually finished but I cant post right now - complicated)

In the meantime here's a review thing.


#12 Space Assassin

Sigh... Finally have enough time to write!

This book was a firm fav of mine as a lad. Although the FF world of 'Titan' was and is an extremely rich and diverse world to adventure through, I always seemed drawn to the books that departed from it. Space Assassin has to be one of the best of them. Written by Andrew Chapman (the first of three excellent books) Space Assassin puts you in the space boots of an intergalactic killer, something that I couldn't take seriously myself, I mean you are meant to be the good guy and lets face it, most of the time the book is going to give you the choice of turning the other cheek or talking your way out.
You do however, get to do this...

I know right??
That has to be one of the most graphic images in the WHOLE SERIES! Kind of a brief Tarantino moment before the story settles down again to a familiar FF rhythm.
Don't get me wrong, I was a bloodthirsty violence obsessed teen once too. Its just that randomly blowing away cute mouse scientists has a way of making you feel bad... For a bit.

There's plenty more to kill where they came from though. The basic mechanics of the game are, well basic really. There are a few weapons to choose from at the start and you get the opportunity to pick up a few more on your travels (but NEVER the hallowed disintegrator) TBH, the items are really what makes this game so cool, Chapman has dotted the book with all sorts of weird stuff that may/may not be useful at any given time. A lot of thought has gone into this, and a lot of sections are put aside with the varying results of your decisions, some of them quite humorous (and usually fatal...)
The cover art is supplied by Chris Achilleos (Christos Achilleos at this time) and depicts a rather obscure event from the book. The illos are the work of Geoffrey Senior in his one and only FF debut, which is a shame as they have a quality quite unlike anything seen before (or since)
Check this out.

Aww... what a cute little... AAAAARGH!! GET IT OFF MY FACE!!

Expect lots of that. These guys though are my favourite...

 I think this is the only FF book I have ever read where I am attacked by a guy with a vacuum cleaner... Classic.

Not much more to say, great book, lots of funny 'Hitch hikers' moments, loads of shooting, scary monsters and surprising encounters. I'm going to call it done at that as I have just tried to make a cup of hot cocoa with a butter knife... Night.

Happy New Year! Christmas goodness, some old work; and some new work =)

Hey all, Merry (belated) Christmas and Happy New Year!

Just returned from a holiday away, nice to change the scenery from time to time.

Here's a shot I took a while back and forgot to post,

This is a shot of all the HeroQuest stuff before being sent off to my friends flat to do battle! With any luck I can relate a few heroic tales of daring do soon (now that everyone is back) Or at least bore a few of you to sleep with stories of heroic bungling... More likely.

A couple of cool pressies to get done this year.

REEEEEEALLY looking forward to this one. I have a special project planned for German troops and armour and have managed to get a few kits together, I'll get pics up as soon as something is finished.

A surprise present from my Dad. I haven't had a go at any of these new Airfix kits yet so am eager to get onto this. One surprise was that it doesn't come with any crew figures? Not complaining, just surprised. (Yes I ripped the bag open and checked and everything!)

Here's a little (as in Hot Wheels little!) something I have been working on. A while ago I was very impressed by a blog I stumbled upon with 'Mad Max' inspired cars and figures converted for wargaming. I don't know if I'll get around to putting rules together but I had a blast painting this car! Expect lots more (I have an assault buggy getting prepped right now)
Here are a couple more angles...

Not sure If I should base the model or not? Hmm. Maybe get a few done first then see how I feel about it.

And lastly, a My Little Pony for my sister's Christmas present!

Great to finally convert a larger scale toy into something, she really seemed to like it so I think a few more are in order!

Cool, I managed to take a game book away with me on my trip to the in laws place over the hols so give me a moment to gather my thoughts and I'll get a review written!

C u.

Talisman of Death

Hey guys, another FF book completed and ready to review  =)

#11 Talisman of Death

This is exactly what I needed after House of Hell! I had forgotten how much I like this book!

Something very special happens when Mark Smith, Jamie Thompson and Bob Harvey get together. This combination of writing and drawing talent is also responsible for bringing us the incredible 'Way of the Tiger' series of gamebooks, a collection of books very dear to me. If you haven't read them yet; bloody well go and do it!

The adventure is actually set in the same world (Orb) as the later 'Way of the Tiger' books, so I guess they were just feeling things out? This is a first for the FF series as every other 'Fantasy' setting has been on the FF world of 'Titan'. This is also only the second time a writer/s other than Ian or Steve (GB) has contributed to the series (the first instance being Steve Jackson (US) with Scorpion Swamp)

The links to 'Way of the Tiger' are very strong, there are even a couple of characters that reappear from 'Talisman of Death' to try and thwart you as a Ninja in those books!
And to be honest, characters are what this story is all about. Its brimming with them!

Thats not to say that Messrs Smith and Thompson cant set the scene; the world of Orb is an interesting blend of Eastern and Western medieval ideas and well rounded, believable locales. Its just that there are so many fantastic peeps running around in this book! Look at this!

There are all sorts. Warrior Women, thieves, sorcerers, monks, Dark Elves, scholars, High Priestesses, messengers of Death, dinosaurs, orcs etc etc. Its all done very well and any GM worth his notepad would be proud to have populated his game with any of them. 

The story itself plays excellently. There were at most a couple of sections that didn't quite work or made you flick back to get an idea of what it was you had just gotten yourself into. But in its entirety it all read very well with a plethora of options to choose from and loads of character interaction.
The story is of a linear 'find the thing and take it somewhere' model but has a few different lines you can approach the end with, so I found a replay was def called for  =)

The cover is supplied by Peter Andrew Jones (Starship Traveller) who blends one of the books encounters with the idea of 'Death' being your harasser and adversary. I love PAJ's work so I think it's awesome =)
Bob Harvey provides the illos and he is the Man. Period. The matching of his artwork to Mark and Jamie's writing is perfect. This book has the same memorable visuals and well put together feel of 'Deathtrap Dungeon' or 'Scorpion Swamp' Its just a combination that works.

I love it  =)

House of Hell...

Oh my God.
I just got my ass handed to me by a book!

But to be fair, it was THIS FUCKING BOOK!

#10 House of Hell

Forest of Doom may have been the first FF gamebook I ever read but House of Hell was the first one I owned.
What a start!

This has to go down as the hardest most frustrating and downright wet pants creating (when you are 6...) FF book of all time. Yes, alright maybe not THE hardest but its def in the top three.
My hat comes off to Mr Jackson (GB) for his efforts with this story. I remember being totally destroyed by this book as a young child and not being able to wait until I had saved enough to get another gamebook so that I didn't have to play House of Hell anymore!

The book itself is worthy of some sort of prize for its twists and turns most of which end you up as part of the sacrificial offerings being entertained at the House. The number of dead (and I mean dead) ends and traps from which there is no recovery is staggering. I truly believe there is only ONE correct path through the story and any deviation from it leads to eventual failure and getting roasted by a pack of deranged cultists.

How does it read though? Not bad. There are no mistakes or dud sections here.Basically this book feels like a collection of mazes populated by the aforementioned cultists and a whole host of horror cliches. The whole thing is quite terrifying once you step back and actually think about what your character is going through, and this is where my appreciation for the book's most original qualities lies.

A lot of people have stated well before me that this is the only FF book in a 'modern' setting, and that its is just one big maze, but I think that there is more on offer.
This book, for the first time in the FF series (aside from the vast 'Sorcery' epic still being completed) marked a departure from the norm. It wasn't a kid-friendly title with some Orcs to kill and a treasure to be had, it was an horrific ordeal with the only prize on offer to the character being escape and his/her mortal life!
The connection to HP Lovecraft's sinister mood setting is strong in many of the sections, and for the first time your human interactions with the people you meet must be made with great caution. A hardened adventurer with a strong arm and sharp sword you are not!
Speaking of Lovecraft. Tim Sell is the interior illustrator for this book. His work has also graced the covers of several HP Lovecraft reprints. The pictures range from unsettling to macabre. Just look at this!

I was 6! 6 years old!! This pic in particular kept me looking at my wardrobe with dread!

The cover was provided by master painter Ian Miller and features his trademark biological phantasms along with a stormy depiction of the House and the night you arrive.

In conclusion? I don't know what to say TBH. I have a long and torturous history with this gamebook. The originality of its content and Steve Jackson's sheer balls for writing it into this series can not be overstated.
I don't like it. I might not want to replay it. But i have to respect it.

It stands alone.

Ace.

More reading!

Ok. Two more and I will have caught up on my reviews!

It's been a long day at the coal face so please excuse any grammatical faux pas.

#8 Scorpion Swamp

Written by Steve Jackson (USA) This has to be the most D&D influenced title of the whole series. Not that thats bad, as a matter of fact, it makes this one of my favourites to replay.

The whole thing just oozes RPG charm. From the characters you encounter to the interactions you are able to take with them, you can tell that Jackson knows his stuff where RPG's are concerned. TBH I wouldn't mind playing through a multiplayer version of this adventure with my friends!

The book stands alone in the way it has been written. There is a heavy emphasis on mapping and revisiting sites, rather than the more traditional linear storyline. On that subject, this book is again interesting in that it allows for multiple quests within the swamp itself! Not only that, but when in the swamp the sections are written to account for whether or not you have just stumbled across a nasty situation or if you have already dealt with whatever it was that was trying to make you dead (and there's a fair bit of that to be had)
It's a little hard to explain suffice to say you should just read it!

It wouldn't be right to not talk about the art!
Supplied this time by Duncan Smith (in his one and only appearance for Fighting Fantasy - which I think is a great shame) It fits the book perfectly. Most of the encounters get a pic, some get more! Its all very D&D as I mentioned before but it all adds to the classic feel of the adventure. The cover is the popular choice of depicting a powerful nasty from the story, and I reckon its pretty appropriate (I suppose a scorpion might have been an obvious choice...)

Favourite pics from the book? Def this one  =)

I mean how Dungeons and Dragons is that!


And last, but by no means  er, THE last, er review...



#9 Caverns of the Snow Witch

  

 

Hmm... You know when you're planning a holiday and there are all those things you just have to pack into one weekend, and you just have no idea how to get from one thing to the next in time?
Thats how this one feels.

Don't get me wrong, it has some very good points and the title alone is awesome enough to be turned into a film. Its just not that well put together  =(
You start out already on a quest (of sorts) Then find yourself on another, complete that and get given ANOTHER quest to undertake, see that one through and get railroaded into one more before completing that AND THEN HAVING TO DO ANOTHER THING!

Now I do like a story that throws a few surprises at me and variety is the spice etc etc. But honestly it just saps the life out of the original idea! THE SNOW WITCH!
This is a shame as the book does offer some great encounters. Its lighter on traps than some but makes up for it with a couple of good puzzles (of sorts) and does add some story driven tension that impacts positively on the game play. The Frozen, magical ice fortress of the Witch is well populated with foes and (in one of the books better moments) friends and allies, all of which does still make it enjoyable at times.

Art wise? This one uses a duo of talent to fill its pages with Gary Ward and Edward Crosby providing pen and ink illos (not sure how that came about or how it was divided?) And again this is the only appearance of their art to be shown in an FF book. Probably some of the most original ink illos to appear for a fantasy setting, the work is characteristically 'heavy' in feel but it comes off well and does a lot to add to the 'alien' quality of the creatures you encounter.
The cover is a great piece by veteran illustrator Les Edwards (he of HeroQuest cover fame, among many others) And accurately depicts a gruesome scene from the book.

A fairly fast read with a few good bits and, if you like roller coasters, one hell of a storyline!

So thats it for a bit, I'm currently trying to finish the next book so give me a sec!

Ace