Just saw this on Facebook by an FF fan called Rob Hatton:

Today I will be attempting an intriguing piece of fan fiction with Phil Sadler's DEATHTRAP, a prequel to...... you guessed it, Deathtrap Dungeon. I only became aware of this particular gamebook the other day after hearing mention of it by the author on a group post, and immediately asked if I could use it for a play-through, and here we are.

I must admit to being instantly enthused by the notion of another adventure set within the walls of Baron Sukhumvit’s infamous Dungeon, much as I would be excited about another book set in Blacksand or Firetop Mountain or Craggen Rock...... they are the stomping grounds of legend. Having said that, it does immediately set expectations to a certain lofty standard, so it takes a fair amount of balls to give it a go.

Nobody could ever accuse Sadler of not putting enough effort into this venture, as this is no mere 200 reference mini-adventure, but a colossal work of nearly 500 entries. We are treated to an extensive background intro in which we get a meaty chunk of exposition on various rumours surrounding the construction of the dungeon, the fate of the ten guardsmen sent in to test it’s effectiveness...... and the lesser known tale of the second group sent in after them......

This is where YOU enter the story, as one of ten various adventurers who answered the notice put up by the baron seeking brave warriors to evaluate his Deathtrap Dungeon before it is officially opened.

Amongst your fellow guinea pigs are a number of familiar character types, such as a Barbarian, a Knight, an Elven Woman, and a Ninja. I am assuming for now that none of these are the actual contestants who step into the void in the original book, but are perhaps merely a nod to those legendary figures, although I won’t rule out the possibility of perhaps the Ninja being one in the same. Of the others which make up the ten we have a Mage, a Gladiator, a Ranger and a Beastmaster.

During the audience we have with Sukhumvit, where Sadler does a fine job in revealing the wealth and power of Fang’s most illustrious citizen, the baron outlines what is expected from his hand-picked expedition. The dungeon must be tested for weaknesses of any conceivable type, with anyone making it out alive to report on their experiences, with suggestions on what needs to be improved and which parts were too easy. Once this task is complete, each surviving member of the group will receive their reward of 1000gp, with no apparent restrictions on how many are allowed to emerge alive from the dungeon. (After all it is not yet officially open)

One important factor to note with this book is the lack of any artwork, so to compensate for the absence of our standard window into the adventure, Sadler has gone into overdrive with prose which is rich in imagery and atmosphere.

The ambience which he creates for the most part has a strong theme of psychological horror throughout the story, feeling very much to me like being in some unholy mixture of a Stephen King film and Apocalypse Now, which I hope conveys just how disturbing some of the scenes play out.

I definitely get the impression that much emphasis is placed upon yours and other character’s state of mind throughout your decent into what seems like Hell on earth, which may have a lot to do with something which is released into the dungeon shortly after the last person enters...... (but I’ll say no more about that for now)

SK 10 ST 21 LK 12

PREDICTION/GOALS

I’ve rolled up a pretty strong character overall, which is probably a good thing if I want to give this a decent attempt, as it seems pretty clear that it won’t be an easy ride. This first attempt will serve to get the measure of what the book is made of, with no real hope of getting anywhere near to the end, as I’m sure that more than a few goes will be required to crack this particular nut. Here goes!

The post is here.

Phil Sadler
Mon Aug 13 08:32:51 2018

Rob Hatton PART ONE

So the time finally arrives to decide the order of entry into the dungeon, with everybody taking a folded piece of paper with a number between one and ten written on it. I manage to pick the number ten, and whilst I try to decide whether this is a good or a bad thing, the Ninja becomes the first of us to walk between the two decorative pillars and into the gloomy tunnel beyond.

I watch each adventurer enter in the order chosen, each in their own unique way, until it is finally my turn. After a few moments waking, the smooth walls which were visible on the outside transform into a roughly hewn and crudely excavated tunnel, completely changing the atmosphere to something more ominous and sinister.

I soon reach a table of some sort which holds the now familiar boxes inscribed with each person’s name, although in this version of events there is some evidence to show that attempts have been made to open my box, which adds a nice edge of realism to things. Inside is a note from the big man, informing me that I need to collect gems, and just as I read this I notice that the Barbarian is there watching me. At the same time, a voice (presumably the baron's) suddenly speaks as if from the very walls.

Apparently, some 5 minutes after the last person (me) enters the dungeon, something else will be released after us. This being has no name, as it is from “the other side”, and is referred to simply as “It Which Follows", or simply "It". Clearly this is more than a small nod to Stephen King’s demonic creature of the same name, but it adds an unexpected new twist to the story.

The voice goes on to warn that It will hunt down the group with a remorseless and unwavering single mindedness, without hope of being able to barter with It, harm It or hide from It.

It will use our deepest fears as it’s weapon and merely laying eyes upon It could result in you losing your mind completely. The only hope is to run from It, as it’s only real weakness is the fact that It is slow, with the only salvation coming when we cross the dungeon’s threshold.

The Barbarian is having none of this however, and fiercely boasts that he will run from and will fear nothing, and ignoring the warnings of the voice he goes to stand at the corner of the tunnel which faces the entrance. I watch him standing there motionless until he smiles and says the he can see something coming, and that it is merely a man, and so I begin to walk towards the corner to see for myself.

The change in the Barbarian’s expression halts me in my tracks, which is now frozen into a mask of terror, until at last he manages to shout the word “run!” before turning and fleeing off down one of the four tunnels heading into the dungeon. I stop and listen long enough to hear a set of slow, steady and remorseless footsteps coming ever closer, before following suit and rushing down the westernmost tunnel........

That first segment, coupled with the detailed and atmospheric into, is just about as much as you could ask for to kick things off. It sets you up with what is to come, which is a heady brew of suspense, horror and outright mind-fuckery.

I stumble out of the tunnel into a cavern-like opening, and almost trip headlong into the piles upon piles of bones littering the floor. Crunching across the scores of human skeletons proves to be an unsavoury prospect, but I linger here long enough to search through the remains until I discover a crystal pendant on a silver chain. I then decide to make haste from this charnel house through the western exit, thoroughly unsuspecting of the horrors to come.

The next cavern I enter is full of human remains once more, only this time the corpses are of a much fresher variety, with all the negative consequences that go with it. Despite this, and spurred on by my success in the previous area, I compel myself to make another grisly search. This time, the appalling surroundings and the Implications of what I’m actually doing begin to take their toll on my mind, until I sense movement all around me.

Several of the bloated and rotting cadavers have come to “life” and are climbing over their inert counterparts in order to get at me, which needless to say has the effect of freaking me out somewhat, until just as suddenly my head spins and then clears to reveal that it was just an hallucination. Time to leave.....

TO BE CONTINUED .....

Phil Sadler
Mon Aug 13 09:13:58 2018

Here is a better link

Phil Sadler
Mon Aug 13 18:18:26 2018

Rob Hatton CONCLUSION

Feeling that the mask of sanity has definitely slipped, I rush headlong out of the room into a bizarrely cross shaped chamber with a strange sarcophagus occupying one of the cross-arms, wreathed in a ghoulish green flame.

Detaching itself from this area comes a ghastly apparition to intercept me, a Death Wraith, which frankly is too much for my fragile psyche to handle at this precise moment and I flee in its unholy wake.

The exit I run through is marked with a multitude of eyes, and I find myself in a cave in which a strong acrid smell pollutes the air.

Dominating the far end of the cave, languishing in its disgusting pool of acidic slime, is the legendary Bloodbeast. As I look on in horrid fascination, eye-like blisters constantly erupt all over its bloated and blubbery body, hiding the location of its true eyes. (Its only real weakness)

Before I can decide on a course of action, an incredibly long tongue darts out to wrap itself around my body and begins to drag me inexorably towards the bath of acid. Fortunately I manage to sever the thing before I am pulled into the pool, and begin to wildly hack at the Bloodbeast’s slug-like body in the hope of scoring a miraculous strike.

After employing a dose of luck, I manage to hit one of the vulnerable eyes, incapacitating the creature long enough for me to escape it’s lair into the tunnel beyond.

Running headlong into the next chamber I bowl into and completely take by surprise another fellow adventurer, the black garbed silent assassin, the Ninja. In a flash be reaches for his katana, but I have the element of surprise here and slash at his exposed thigh, causing a significant wound.

This seems to give the Ninja cause to back away, still disbelieving that I managed to take him unawares. After boasting that he will enjoy killing me when we meet at the end of the dungeon, he is gone from the place with the speed of a cat.

Leaving by the exit adorned with an actual human face (great), I enter a dusty and cobwebbed room, with several corpses littering the floor. It seems that these were once animated undead that have been recently destroyed, and in the centre of the floor I once again see the strange white chalk circle, the same as before.

It is then that my ears pick up a strange sound coming from a darkened corner of the room, and moving closer to the source I behold an extremely disturbing sight.

Crouching down in the corner is a huge and brutal looking man, who is actually knawing on the leg of a still moving zombie, apparently oblivious to my presence.

This, of all the nightmarish horrors that I have endured thus far, seems to offend my sensibilities the most. Without even thinking about my actions, I swing my sword down onto the huge shoulder of the man, which seems to have very little effect besides enraging him.

The Beast, as he is apparently known, raises himself to his full height of nearly seven feet before launching into a savage attack. I fight valiantly against the enormous Beast, but the mission has finally taken it’s toll on my body, and my stamina fails me against my opponents vast strength.

I imagine myself being lifted from the ground in a bonecrushing bearhug, before being hurled against the wall like a rag doll, shattering my body like pottery against stone.........

......and thus ends my futile attempt at this disturbing incarnation of Sukhumvit’s dungeon. I enjoyed the experience immensely, particularly the atmosphere of surreal terror which seems to infect every tunnel and every turn of the page.

I recommend anyone reading this to give it a try yourselves...... if you dare.......

Albertt
Wed Jul 17 05:33:47 2019

Just wanted to say thank you to the author for the immense effort that must have gone into putting this together. Anyone who enjoys ff will surely enjoy this one.

Specifically, the book is incredibly atmospheric. This is probably the books biggest strength. Every room is fascinating, even the ones your character does nothing in. And almost all of them are creepy. The sense of lurking dread is really, really well done.

My only criticisms are that the books is a little overstuffed with things to keep track of (take COPIOUS notes), and that the book is incredibly, incredibly difficult. I’ve read through it several times and still have no idea what the “best” way to get through is.

But really, really: If you enjoy ff gamebooks you will love this book! Super-compelling!

Phil Sadler
Wed Jul 17 14:00:27 2019

Thanks for a very nice review! It's things like this that make it all seem worth while :-)

And, yes, the book is certainly not easy in the slightest, but it is a 'fair' difficulty and not an 'unfair' one like certain FF authors ;-)

HAL
Mon Dec 9 15:23:31 2019

I finished Deathtrap (using simply.fighting fantasy.net) more than a week ago, but it has taken me this long to compose my thoughts about it into these few words:

Firstly, thank you Phil. DD was my most favourite of all the official FF gamebooks, and while it has been around 30 years since I last played it, somehow it has stayed buried deep within me. So I was definitely excited to attempt this homage to the original, and I have to say that it did not disappoint.

I have to agree with Albertt above, the atmosphere created by the author was truly astounding throughout. There are sections that I felt so disgusted, fearful, revolted, saddened or one of so many other emotions just from journeying through them, that when re-attempting this adventure they became difficult to re-read. Phil has to be the most evocative of all authors on this fan site, and that is meant to be no small praise.

To successfully navigate Phil's fiendish dungeon, I mapped my progress through more than several attempts. The motifs on the arrows above most passages were an excellent concept, and helped with this greatly. However, this mapping revealed a couple of minor errors (where North should have been West for example) but I won't bore anyone with these details unless asked.

The absolute highlight for me was the protracted duel with

SPOILER

END SPOILER

. This probably has to be the most epic armed conflict I've ever faced in a gamebook, and most gratifying to finally overcome. Thanks again Phil.

If I had to be truly critical, I would say that I don't think that the inclusion of the randomized foes that you face (or even pit against one another) adds anything to the storyline. And I found it a little disappointing that, unlike the original Deathtrap Dungeon, this prequel could be finished without finding all 3 requisite gems. However, these are just minor personal quibbles I'm sure.

All told, I must rate Deathtrap as an epic of astoundingly entertaining literary skill; as a read it has to be a 10/10, and at least an 8.5/10 in gameplay. It is a truly worthy homage to the original, and all congratulations and tributes must be given to its author. Once again, thank you Phil.

Phil Sadler
Mon Dec 9 17:21:06 2019

What a great review! It really makes me feel it was all worthwhile when I read constructive criticism like this. In fact, I thought the comments were so good that I put them on Facebook.

As for you disappointment at not needing all of the gems, well that was me trying to be 'fair' and leaving some leeway for how a reader wants to approach the book (which is still a very difficult challenge when played honestly). So I stand by that judgement because the adventure is so tough to begin with that I felt that some 'get out of jail free card' might stop some players from getting too frustrated.

Etienne
Wed Jan 8 15:15:53 2020

Having a good time! I still prefer house of pain so far but it’s very fun.

Typos:
Ref #: 74
... you steal yourself

# 293:
... to a ancient

# 250: ... although you’re that the...

# 100: ... closely the door...

# 3: ... just continue to stand at the all

You sometimes spell glow stones and sometimes glowstones.

Deaths:
#1: death by skull tentacle
#2: death by devil horse
#3: death by dwarf trial fight
#4: death by shade

Player 1 to 3 on novice, now playing on medium.

I have some things that put me off a bit, let me know if you’re interested. It’s nit picking just so you know.

Phil Sadler
Wed Jan 8 19:09:29 2020

"I have some things that put me off a bit, let me know if you’re interested. It’s nit picking just so you know."

I'm always interested!

Etienne
Wed Jan 8 20:39:00 2020

Typos:

#79: watches you with as you

Died 3 more times: cavern monster, cyclop, shade (again).
SPOILER

After you swim past the lake monster and you get to the gem, it says that you take 3 health potions to avoid triggering the trap and take the gem. I didn’t any potions left. I mean, I didn’t take the gem but I think it might be a good idea to rephrase the alternative: either trigger the trap in getting the gem or leave it where it is. To make you take a single choice here based on something you don’t necessarily have feels out place here.

I felt that the death where you walk into a mouth and die was a unfair. I realize the mirrors give you a vague warning about this but it’s unpredictable. The other sudden deaths are reasonable but I thought this one was unfair as in: left or right? Left. Ok you’re dead. I know the stalactites gives a vague hint but it’s very vague.

Phil Sadler
Thu Jan 9 06:51:25 2020

Can you give me the reference number of the 3 potions trap?

Etienne
Fri Jan 10 16:08:31 2020

I can’t say. Normally I would ctrl+f to find ‘lake’ or ‘three health potions’, I’d be able to give the reference in minutes that way. I only have access to a tablet at the moment so I can’t. If you can’t find it, I’ll look for it on a computer.

By the way, you haven’t mentioned anything about the typos. Do you correct the original script, does it help to point them out? Because I write all of them on a piece of paper so I was wondering it it was helpful.

Phil Sadler
Fri Jan 10 18:49:23 2020

I'll correct the script and I'll send it to Andy (the host) and ask him to upload it.

Phil Sadler
Fri Jan 10 18:53:09 2020

Found the ref 97. I've put this bit into it now:

Unless of course you don’t have three potions left. In which case you dare not try to take the gem and leave without it.

Etienne
Fri Jan 10 20:55:26 2020

Good idea! I think I like deathtrap the most now. I really look forward to your next book. I would personally buy it if you published. Have you considered submitting it? It’s way better than the zombie one recently published. I think you’ve honed your craft to be a pro now.

I keep track of my death and I must be closed to 20 now. Some things I liked a lot:
SPOILER
The mutant enemy was a great idea.
The concept of competitors who do their own thing.

I think if you could tweak the combat system in your future book, that’d be great. Just some slight alterations. Another cool idea is if you did something like sorcery, linking two books together.

Phil Sadler
Fri Jan 31 08:14:17 2020

I like a man who plays the books (relatively) honestly! The mutant enemy you speak about slightly eludes me: do you mean the Chaos Mutant? If so then that was sadly not my idea but came from another book.

Condutas
Mon Oct 5 08:30:13 2020

You bloody twat, why you keep posting new books and I total miss reading them? It was the same for your last one, "House of Pain"... Took me a while to notice it.

Will try to play this soon and tell you what I think, but I am expecting great things from you :)

Phil Sadler
Mon Oct 5 08:59:17 2020

Well, I did try to advertise them, honest! A bit on here a bit on the Fighting Fantazine forum and on Facebook. I even contacted a few blogs but didn't get much back from them.

I don't know what i'll do next time.

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