We’ve covered the various gamebooks on the App Store quite a bit in the past, and we’re overdue for a refresher on all the offerings of Tin Man Games— Especially with the release of their latest gamebook, Temple of the Spider God [$2.99]. If you’re new to the whole gamebook thing, here’s the gist- Remember Choose Your Own Adventure books back in the day? Well, imagine those, with greater levels of interactivity via dice rolling, character skills, battles, and more. If this even vaguely sounds interesting to you, you should snag the free version of their first gamebook to give it a try. I’ve had an absolutely fabulous time playing through them, and highly encourage anyone interested in fantasy novels to check ’em out.
Tin Man Games’ series of Gamebook Adventures all are set in the same universe, and even though they were released as a continuing series of sorts, you really don’t need to read them in order at all. If the premise of a particular gamebook jumps out at you, you can dive right in without feeling like you’re missing much of anything by not reading previous installments.
Here’s the current lineup, which are all universal apps:
Gamebook Adventures 7: Temple of the Spider God, $5.99 – “Cesaro Cortez, a famed explorer-conquistador, set out three years ago on his last great expedition. His ships never returned to an Orlandrian port and he was feared lost until a mysterious cargo appeared recently in Miramar. The nature of this cargo will put Orlandes in jeopardy, sending you on an epic journey to find Cortez, save the country and face your darkest fear!"
GA1: An Assassin in Orlandes, $5.99 – “Set within Orlandes City, nobles are being systematically murdered by a ruthless assassin no-one seems able to catch. Finding yourself thrust in the middle of a large conspiracy, you must make decisions that may put yourself and one other most precious to you in great danger. Can you locate the Assassin in Orlandes before it is too late?"
GA2: The Siege of the Necromancer, $5.99 – “Set in the coastal town of Myr, you have returned home after a long Summer in the mines of Durath Tor to find your hometown besieged by strange creatures. A dark presence has taken over the town and you are the only one who can rid the stronghold of Erid Buul, the mysterious new Lord and his ghastly cohorts."
Gamebook Adventures 3: Slaves of Rema, $5.99 – “Cruelly taken from your homeland of Orlandes, you find yourself in a far off land at the mercy of a gladiatorial arena. Somehow trying to find a way to escape overseas, can you also unravel a potentially dangerous mystery that puts two nations on the brink of war?"
Gamebook Adventures 4: Revenant Rising, $5.99 – “The mighty city of Falavia, the military backbone of Orlandes, is under attack from an army lead by a man claiming to be a God. How did this come to pass you ask yourself? You’re sure it all started as some innocent adventure in search of treasure but somehow it turned into a nightmare. Also, why are people staring at you strangely? It’s not as if you look like you’ve recently been brought back from the dead or something. Oh yes, that’s right. You remember now… “
Gamebook Adventures 5: Catacombs of the Undercity, $5.99 – “Captured by one of Orlandes City’s most infamous brotherhoods, the Red Hand Guild, you are thrown to the mercy of the subterranean world deep beneath the streets of the great capital. Wading through the sewers and other dark menacing places, your goal is to reach Undercity, the City beneath the City! Only there can you find the help you need to escape this underground horror and bring down the dark brotherhood from within."
Gamebook Adventures 6: The Wizard from Tarnath Tor, $5.99 – “Two hundred years ago, the legendary City of Tarnath Tor was destroyed as it’s defenders, the mighty wizards valiantly tried to repel an orcun horde. Now just a place set within stories and myths, it has been lost to the outside world. A chance encounter with one who claims to be a time traveller sends you on a mission to recover some magical artifacts. This search will lead you to great ruins and the dark forces who have made it their home. Who is this wizard from Tarnath Tor and how can you trust him?"