Fighting Fantasy is the series for April 2026, with two classics by Steve Jackson (UK) as our reads.
House of Hell and Creature of Havoc
This month the 100 Endings Book Club has two classics by Steve Jackson (UK), one of the two founders of Fighting Fantasy. Creature of Havoc and House of Hell are our April 2026 reads. Join us on the 100 Endings & Rand Roll Discord if you've got any questions or want to join in.
Note that this is the Steve Jackson from the UK (co-founder of Games Workshop and Fighting Fantasy, author of Citadel of Chaos, Starship Traveller, Appointment with F.E.A.R. and the Sorcery! series). We covered Scorpion Swamp by Steve Jackson (USA) last November.
House of Hell has a different setting than most FF, set in modern(-ish) Earth but with a horror-heavy feel and style. The classic haunted mansion. It uses standard Fighting Fantasy mechanics with the addition of Fear, no weapon and no provisions to start. The book is thought of as one of the best and hardest Fighting Fantasy books.
Creature of Havoc is set in familiar Allansia, but you are different creature in so many ways. You're playing a monster, trying to figure out what the hell happened to you. You are better at fighting than most characters in Fighting Fantasy, but have other problems to contend with. Like overcoming your instincts and trying to read anything. One of the most innovative titles and also very difficult. Made harder by a misprint (or possibly not) making one puzzle harder than it should be.
Ways to Play House of Hell and Creature of Havoc
The simple option is to play House of Hell and Creature of Havoc as physical books. They have been printed and widely re-printed, and should be available online. There are a number of Fighting Fantasy variant rules you could use, compiled from asking online.
There is also a digital option, as both are available in Fighting Fantasy Classics on Steam (you have to buy each one as separate content).
Play one, play both, or choose another Fighting Fantasy book if you've already played both to death.
For a challenging way of experiencing House of Hell or Creature of Havoc, try playing it as an RPG using Advanced Fighting Fantasy, with one or more characters. There's a solo actual play using AFF 2nd edition on Rand Roll.
Finishing Up
Feel free to join us on the Rand Roll Discord or at the Gamebooks subreddit.
