The Vulcanverse gamebooks don't get nearly enough reviews. I would say that, wouldn't I? But Jamie and I genuinely feel they're some of our best work. We're aware that the gamebook resurgence, such as it is, is mainly driven by adults buying the books they enjoyed as kids. Naturally that makes it hard for a new series to break through, but there are standout successes: Steam Highwayman, Legendary Kingdoms, Expeditionary Company, and others.
Our hope is that with the completion of the saga (Workshop of the Gods is due to be published in a few months) readers will get to appreciate the full story arc that's been building across the series. The entire adventure is over 6000 sections long, that's more than 15 old-style Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, and there are decisions you make right from the start that have repercussions in the apocalyptic showdown at the end.
Yes, I know, I could do with a better microphone. Still, if that all whets your appetite, you can get started by downloading Adventure Sheet PDFs for the Vulcanverse series here:
- Workshop of the Gods (Vulcan City)
- The Houses of the Dead (Hades)
- The Hammer of the Sun (Notus)
- The Wild Woods (Arcadia)
- The Pillars of the Sky (Boreas)
Vulcanverse is such a massive creative and technical accomplishment. It's awesome, in the purest sense of the word.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to leave a review and can't wait for the final book!
Thanks, Josh. I'm deep into editing, so not too long now!
DeleteThe hammer of the sun is, in my view, one of your best gamebooks. The atmosphere is unique, the writing is amazing and the gameplay is infuriating but fascinating. I am really looking for the final instalment of the series. Re your point, I somehow feel they are quite difficult to find online and the linkage to the videogame series may be confusing for some. I think there is a need for some optimization in the blurbs etc
ReplyDeleteThank you, Signore. You make some good points. Some readers found that being left to explore the world and discover quests, as you are in Hammer of the Sun, didn't give them enough of a steer. Mindful of that, I've included some NPCs in Workshop of the Gods who will guide players through quests in the other books, not to the extent of giving spoilers but just enough in the way of hints to help keep the player on track.
DeleteI agree that the connection with the videogame series is confusing. I've never played the videogame myself so any connection is pretty tenuous, but it may have deterred players who think you need to know about one to play the other. I'll work on the blurb for this last book to make it clearer that they are two independent games.
I have bought all five books. Big job. What do you recommend to start?
ReplyDeleteI'd suggest starting your character in Book 5, talking to the mentors you meet in childhood, and then heading out to Book 2 to find a companion. After that, hints from the mentors will help with quests in both Notus and Arcadia, and you can consult the Oracle at the temple of Apollo in Vulcan City for clues about the other books.
DeleteThank you very much.
DeleteYou're welcome. Let me know how you get on.
DeleteI'm waiting for delivery from Amazon. It will take about a week. But the effort in creating that world deserves praise.
ReplyDeleteIt must be the biggest work Jamie & I have ever created, especially as there's much more cross-connection between the quests in different books than we had in Fabled Lands. I realized that the Vulcanverse is almost as long as Blood Sword, Way of the Tiger and Steve Jackson's Sorcery! series combined.
DeleteThat's right. I was looking for something as extensive and complete as that. The second thing I think Vulcanverse is the only one that does it.
ReplyDelete