Picking out a few places to start out the Fighting Fantasy adventure.
Lots of Fighting Fantasy
Fighting Fantasy is the best known of the gamebooks and has been around for over 40 years. With over 60 gamebooks it's hard to know where to start. Especially if you add in Sorcery! or the Advanced Fighting Fantasy roleplaying game too.
Here there are some Fighting Fantasy books for a new reader to try.
I've tried to choose gamebooks that are easier to get hold of, either still in print or not too expensive second-hand. And also ones that aren't too tough.
Island of the Lizard King by Ian Livingstone - an Easier Classic
There's nothing amazing about Island of the Lizard King, but it is a classic adventure. By Ian Livingstone, you have an easy to understand mission, don't need amazing SKILL and you may get to fight a giant crab!
There are still many ways to die or otherwise end your adventure in Island of the Lizard King. You get your sword, your ten provisions and a potion.
It's also fairly easy to get as it's been printed a few times. Try to get an older version if you can (green cover) as the older illustrations added to the classic feel.
Scorpion Swamp by Steve Jackson (USA) - A Book of Many Options
Scorpion Swamp by Steve Jackson (the American one) lets you wander around a dangerous swamp. It's unusual for Fighting Fantasy books because you are free to roam where you want, going back and forth between locations.
In addition there are three different patrons you can choose (one each for Good, Neutrality and Evil), and each will give you spell gems that you allow you limited magic in your adventure.
It's a fun adventure and not as difficult as many titles.
Crystal of Storms by Rhianna Pratchett - A Modern Take
The first Fighting Fantasy book by a female author, Crystal of Storms is different in a few ways. It's setting is on Titan, but it's more of a techno-fantasy vibe on a set of flying islands. It has a tone which might make it a good entry point for younger readers.
As a Fighting Fantasy adventure it's solid and fun, with a mix of places to explore and puzzles. The islands each act as areas to explore and it uses codewords to keep track of what you've done and what's changed in the story. There's also not many insta-death entries. ("you open the door, you die, end of adventure")
Deathtrap Dungeon by Ian Livingstone - A Challenging Classic
In the same vein as Island of the Lizard King, Deathtrap Dungeon sits up with other classics such as Citadel of Chaos, City of Thieves and Warlock of Firetop Mountain.
It's possibly the best known Fighting Fantasy book, and has an easy to understand premise. Survive the dungeon, get the gold. It's also part of a series of 3 books, followed on by Trial of Champions and Armies of Death.
There are a couple of hard fights in the book, a couple of plot twists and you have to get the right three gems to finish the book.
So it's classic Fighting Fantasy, but more of a challenge than Island of the Lizard King.
Appointment with F.E.A.R by Steve Jackson (UK) - Something Different
While most Fighting Fantasy books are fantasy ones set in the world of Titan, a few are not, having a science-fiction feel.
In Appointment with F.E.A.R (by UK Steve Jackson), you're a superhero trying to protect Titan City from the super villain Titanium Cyborg. You get to choose one of four superpowers (Super Strength, Psi-Powers, Enhanced Technological Skill, Energy Blast).
You'll spend your time collecting clues, fighting crime and confronting villains. It was written in the 1980's so some of the references might not have aged so well. But set as it is in the modern world, it has a far different tone.
Other titles that would exhibit a different setting include Freeway Fighter, Starship Traveller, Blood of Zombies and House of Hell.
Finishing Up
My top 5 Fighting Fantasy books would be a different list!
What Fighting Fantasy books would you recommend for beginners?
