Heart of Ice - Gamebook Review

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[@DrBlaxill]

Heart of Ice was the first adventure gamebook I got- at I think the age of 11. And, while I have enjoyed many others since, it's still the best one- and indeed the best by some distance. I completely agree with all of the key reasons for this that you outline. But the ending sections, and how these bring into being your competitors, I thought were particularly excellent. As a matter of fact, the final decision prompted me, at the age of 11, to have one of the most grown up metaphysical conversations (with my mother) that I had ever actually had on what I should choose. Pretty impressive going for a gamebook!

[@BrianHazardVideos]

I'm a latecomer to this video, but I appreciate the review. I just picked up the hardcover deluxe edition of this book with its wonderful scratch off maps and character sheets shaped like bookmarks. The full color illustration seemed pretty good and I'm really looking forward to getting into this. I haven't done many game books in the past, so I'm almost disappointed that you said this is one of the best ones. I should have started with something worse! :-)

[@BrianHazardVideos]

Livi, if you haven't taken a look yet, I recommend you check out thousand-year-old vampire. Very interesting and challenging solitaire story game.

[@ajplank3907]

Great review Livi. You convinced me to pick it up!

[@kosterix123]

Finally I have the book! Dedicated to Jack Vance. I loved Lyonesse ♪

[@christianbecameawitch361]

Great review, I need to buy this book! I grew up reading Fighting Fantasy books.

[@johnecheverria3318]

Fanastic game book! Great review!

[@johnberry5296]

What a great video! I stumbled across your channel by accident. You have a new sub!

[@paulwastney5134]

Nice, now I am curious and will have to get this book, thanks Livi. Have you tried Fabled Lands as well?

[@soloadventureswithlivi1108]

Yes, and those books are great! I will make videos covering FL if my patrons vote for them over other proposed gamebook series.

[@davidsanchez-bu9un]

Nice review

[@nerdboy02]

Unfortunately my character, even though he had a bulletproof jacket, Agility, camouflaged skin and most of his hit points, had a single character pull a gun on him and went "Well, guess I'll die".

[@kosterix123]

Would it be advisable to start with 3 skills instead?

[@soloadventureswithlivi1108]

You could try that to make things harder, but I would not recommend it. Four seems to be about perfect.

[@kosterix123]

So you have DQ. How does the writing quality compare to HoI?

[@soloadventureswithlivi1108]

They are not really comparable- the styles of the two authors are really different. In general, I would say that DQ books suffer a bit more from the problem of taking too long to describe things leading to more to slog through on repeat plays. Dave Morris seems to be able to convey more in fewer words, but then he had already written many gamebooks before HoI and has had a lot of practice :)

[@kosterix123]

@@soloadventureswithlivi1108 I ask because I found FL demo devoid of any emotion and all npcs were lifeless words. DQ2 feels more alive, somehow, and a few more adjectives can go a long way of painting a scene or motif. Most story writers for board games fail to put any effort into painting a picture, for example TIG. I guess I'll put hoi on my wishlist and will have to see for myself if it's anything better.

[@soloadventureswithlivi1108]

@@kosterix123 The writing in FL is indeed less lively, but I think it is because the gamebook series is so ambitious. So much needs to be crammed into each book that there just isn't the space for too much detail. FL is good gamebook writing for what it tries to do, but I agree that it isn't the most colorful. Dave Morris's other books better show off his abilities as a writer.

[@kosterix123]

@@soloadventureswithlivi1108 ah ok thanks for your insight.

[@jameskeegan3108]

Bought this and have played through it once die lol. Honestly, this book was not my cup of tea. Not because I died. Just was not interesting enough for me. The writing really didn't draw me into the game, and in fact, was boring for me at least. Let the buyer beware.