Gamebooks have been around, and here are some of the decent series from wayback...(also need to come back to expand these!)
Gamebooks - 5 to start | deeper combat | 5 fighting fantasy | 5 horror | all gamebooks
Sorcery! by Steve Jackson (UK)
The Sorcery books by Steve Jackson take the Fighting Fantasy formula and expand it into an epic across 4 books, from your home of Analand through wild hills, a hostile city, pursuing the magical serpents through steppes and forest and into the citadel of the archmage of Mampang.
You can play as Warrior or Wizard, using spells with the latter, given as 3 letter codes you need to memorise or guess at.
Way of the Tiger by Jamie Thomson and Mark Smith
In Way of the Tiger, you play a ninja, using all kinds of methods, equipment and special abilities. The combats are more involved than most in gamebooks, as you choose throws, kicks and punches depending on the foe you face.
The books also change in nature, as you move from avenging assassin to ruling over a city and later armies in the world of Orb.
Lone Wolf
Lone Wolf is a long series of the struggles of Lone Wolf, initially to restore the Kai and their ancient powers. The first 12 books see you develop from fledgling Kai to a powerful figure of legend. There is a longer saga, which is only just now reaching it's conclusion (book 32 published recently)
The books are free at Project Aon, along with others of Joe Dever including Freeway Warrior and Combat Heroes.
Cretan Chronicles
Fabled Lands by Dave Morris and Jamie Thomson
Gamebooks took a massive step forwards when Jamie Thomson and Dave Morris published the first 2 books of Fabled Lands, the War-Torn Lands and Cities of Gold.
In the Fabled Lands you wander the books as you please, creating your own story and adventure. You can also go freely between the books. There are 7 main books published and a few extra stories /quests to enjoy.
The mechanics are straightforward, using a 2d6 test and you play as one of 6 professions.
Honourable Mentions!
- Blood Sword
- Cretan Chronicles
