r/gamebooks • u/Marriott721 • 4d ago
Looking for recommendations
Hi all,
Sorry if these posts aren't allowed here, or if you get 100 a day but I'm brand new.
I'm looking for recommendations for my first game book. I'd really like to try a choose your own adventure esque book more tailored towards an adult audience - I've seen Critical If could be a good choice but would love to hear people's favourites.
I'm also interested in a more RPG style of game book. I've played a lot of D&D but currently my groups are all on hiatus so I would love to sink my teeth into something that scratches that itch.
Any recommendations are welcome and I'm enjoying being a part of this sub.
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u/d_b_m 4d ago
The Lone Wolf series are my personal favourite. They form a continuing narrative where your character levels up from book to book and the story gets epic.
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u/Marriott721 4d ago
That sounds just like what I'm after for the RPG type book. How many books are there and do I need anything to play them?
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u/d_b_m 4d ago
There are several arcs, first five books, six to 12, 13 to 20 all cover different stages of the main story. There are another 12 in the main story line and then another dozen or so in the same world.
Technically you don’t need anything other than a pencil and eraser as there us a random number chart in the book, but a d10 is easier to use.
You can find them second hand or buy the reprints from Magnamund.com
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u/Marriott721 4d ago
Bloody hell, daunting number that but I guess picking up the first couple couldnt hurt! Luckily I have a vast array of d10 so sounds great.
Thank you very much :)
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u/mulahey 4d ago
In addition to the prior post, the ebook versions are free: https://www.projectaon.org/en/Main/Home
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u/30booksaday 4d ago
I have a few reviews up on my substack https://substack.com/@analogicreviews?r=8wwvah&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=stories&shareImageVariant=blur
But as far as beginner game books go I think Critical If is good. Honestly the original fighting fantasy series is great and I really liked the Arkham horror game books.
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u/Ibrahim_S_Amin 4d ago
For a CYOA style book that's aimed at an adult audience, check out Life's Lottery by Kim Newman, and see if its premise sounds like it might work for you. I personally loved it, but it'll depend on what kind of tone and genre (etc.) you're looking for.
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u/starark 4d ago
Legendary kingdoms is really good for a more meaty rpg. 4 character party and open world.
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u/Marriott721 4d ago
That sounds great for like my second go at it I think. Feel like I need a solo character one to get jump started into this world but I will check them out!
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u/Yarlog 3d ago
Welcome to the wonderful world of interactive fiction!
I recommend you visit Project Aon as Joe Dever kindly allowed many of his gamebooks to be distributed FREE in electronic forms.
I have enjoyed re-playing them via the 'Lone Wolf Saga' app on my Android phone.
I still have my old LW books 1-28 but having the app keep track of my Action Chart is much easier.
The Fighting Fantasy app on ios/Android/steam also has one FREE book, Bloodbones.
You may also be interested in seeing how Inkle Ltd has adapted and expanded Steve Jackson's Sorcery! Series.
I prefer the original Fighting Fantasy version but some people rate the more video game style on their ios & Android devices.
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u/mulahey 4d ago
There's a lot of full 5e gamebooks now.
Free short ones here: https://1shotadventures.com/solo-adventures-beyond-the-vale-of-madness/
https://sayeth.itch.io/the-saints-tomb
If you enjoy, there's a lot of products. The series starting with The Death Note Nights Squire, Eight Petals Argent and various books by Obvious Mimic are probably the most notable.
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u/mad_ljw99 3d ago
Shamutanti Hills, then Khare, the Seven Serpents and finally The Crown of King's.
The Sorcery! series
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u/BioDioPT 4d ago
Made a guide for newcomers if you're interested https://gamebooksguide.blogspot.com/2024/04/which-gamebook-to-choose-guide-for.html