It seems so many people are involved with Tin Man Games. I must have missed the boat at some point.

In other news I am currently working on the final episode (No.8) of the Wrong Way Go Back series. Given that it is the finale, I would very much like it to be the best episode yet. I am happy with the basic premise, but how it is executed is another matter. The reviews of The Ravages of Fate from the Windhammer competition this year were very insightful; and I realise that for that competition at least I don't write the kind of gamebooks that people are generally looking for. That said, the WWGB series has been successful in its own way so there won't be any major deviations apart from what there have been already. By that I mean that the series was originally intended to be comprised of short but challenging episodes. However, a few have ballooned out, especially Episode 7 which came in at 600 references, but I didn't try to reduce the difficulty very much. The general structure of Episode 8, where you can visit every location you have been to previously over the whole series, means the gamebook is likely to be lengthy as well.
Therefore I am looking for some detailed reviews of any or all of the episodes of the WWGB series (what you liked, what you didn't, what you would like ti see more of, and general feedback), to feed into the final episode. If any of you would like to help me, you can post reviews here or send to my email: ffstories(at)hotmail.com

If anyone REALLY wants to know what the premise of Episode 8 is, here it is:

SPOILER

END SPOILER

The Doctor
Thu Dec 13 06:20:03 2012
General Chat

OK, guys, this is hard to explain, but interact with old Arthur Wellesley as little as possible. He won't remember much of what you tell him, since we've been drinking, but if any critical information, especially concerning Waterloo, makes it into his subconscious, it could create a rift in the spacetime continuum.

This is a very dangerous situation, and it's all my fault, but if any one of his decisions do not occur as they should in the battles to come, we're in big trouble. Every single death of those wars is a fixed point, and cannot be disturbed. Worse still, if he finds out about the trap Nappy will deliberately set up for him at Waterloo, the British might carry the day, and the whole of history will be rewritten!

bcyy
Thu Dec 13 06:29:00 2012
General Chat

@Wellington,

Be careful when fighting Napoleon in future, OK? Always make sure he hasn't got a trap waiting for you! Remember what he did to those guys at Austerlitz? He's going to something very similar to you at a place called, I dunno, Waterloo?

Also, did you ever think of replacing a cannonball with a shell filled with lead shot in your artillery? It's pretty good against infantry.

The Doctor
Thu Dec 13 06:38:43 2012
General Chat

@bcyy:

NOOOO!!!

What have you done? You could have just doomed the Great and Glorious French Empire! Do you understand that if Napoleon gets trounced at Waterloo, a far worse future is in store for you?

The Doctor
Thu Dec 13 07:03:07 2012
General Chat

OK, so let's see...

The GGFE is now divided into the European Union, Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Iran, Japan, Vietnam, Brazil, Argentina and Australia, the Chero-French alliance never occurred, and the Cherokee Confederate has been annexed into the American colonies (wait, are they an independent country now?). The Sino-Soviet war never occurred since there was no French gold to back Stalin up, and in any case he got himself tied up with this nutcase called Hitler who should have died in the fifth Prussian uprising. A new chap called Einstein whose great-great grandfather should have been killed in a shipping accident has found a class D source of energy (I like primitive energy sources, energy sources are cool). Latte is marketed 20 years sooner than it ought to have been, and MacDonald's did not buy out Microsoft, so MacWindows is now Windows 2007.

Actually, you guys are doing pretty well without the GGFE.

Now all I have to do is use my sonic screwdriver to set every computer logging onto this website to emit subsonic waves that make everyone think that this is all just a big prank. The beauty of it is that no memories need to be wiped, since the GGFE never even existed.

C-Star
Thu Dec 13 16:17:31 2012
General Chat

Well i'm confused here. I'm guessing we're talking about massively important historical events here?

Robert Douglas
Fri Dec 14 02:12:44 2012
General Chat

What on earth have I started?!

The Doctor is clearly troubled that our world is actually based on a paradox: that Wellington should have lost the Battle of Waterloo, but he didn't, due to information from some point in the future (of a particular timeline).

However, as a believer in the 'multiverse' theory, timelines can be artificially created (by paradox).

It's happening all the time - yet we don't notice it. Only by science and the imagination are we asking these questions about quantum mechanics.

Speaking of which: Bryan Talbot (comic-book author/illustrator) invented a character called Luther Arkwright, a government agent tracking down 'disruptors' throughout various timelines. It's a sort of cross-time traffic premise. Roleplayer Independent featured a game set in a world where Great Britain and Russia defeated Napoleon much earlier than in OT, thus becoming two vast super-powers.

C-Star
Fri Dec 14 08:30:10 2012
General Chat

I know this is completely unrelated, but I have to bring this up somewhere... in the past 3 months, 4 or 5 teenagers commited suicide in ireland. One was a tragedy, two was painful, it got ridiculous when it hit 3. The last one was just yesterday. Weeks before christmas. Since no one takes my facebook page seriously, I wanted to ask you guys, what do you think? Are there any possible solutions? I'm getting sick of hearing about a new dead girl every 3 weeks...

C-Star
Fri Dec 14 17:56:47 2012
General Chat

@Yurio. Since everyone else is focused on their new topic of conversation, I'll offer some advice. I've never finished either of those books, so I am of limited help. My recommendation is simply download the word version, and use that to find out what items you need to get by that paragraph, then use the search text feature to find out where that item is. It's what I do when I'm stuck.

C-Star
Fri Dec 14 23:00:38 2012
General Chat

I'm sorry to post such a depressing topic on such a positive site, but this is a problem I don't want forgotten...

Robert Douglas
Sat Dec 15 02:48:40 2012
General Chat

@ C-Star,

Although it's a depressing subject, suicide is something that should be discussed. Being a teenager isn't quite a smooth experience, what with hormones and growing up through school. In my own personal opinion, Primary school was okay, but I resented secondary: that first year, being thrown into the melting pot with other kids who were either nervous, malevolent, shy, jealous, etc, proved a very awkward time. They say school is a rehearsal for later life - I pray it's not!

Without FF (and Knightmare tv series), things for me would have been a lot worse. These fantastic adventures provided some form of sanctuary from a cold, cruel world.

The lyrics of XTC's Colin Moulding in his song 'Cynical Days' just about says it all for many suffering with depression. This is universal for many sufferers.

Many teenagers get stressed about doing well in their exams, trying to fit in, domestic problems. Possible solutions would be for teachers to approach students struggling or displaying obvious signs of depression, then perhaps alerting this to their parents (who are often oblivious to their children's needs in face of their own problems). Of course, to this end, such knowledge of a ready helping hand from the authorities would have to be made clear before pupils start secondary (as I said, a turbulent time).

I must also say here that one particular teacher went out of her way to be nasty to several students - including myself - whilst at secondary school. A grown adult shouting and bullying an 11-13 year old is hardly right, is it?

C-Star
Sat Dec 15 18:56:14 2012
General Chat

@Robert

Amen. People say that your school days are the best days of your life. Blind nostalgia, they're only fooling themselves. Primary school was crap, I had like 1 friend. I had to go solo for the first three years of secondary school. Solitude was my norm. Whilst the others were out together in the cinema and going to discos, I was at home beating F-Zero on master difficulty. Throw an equally immature and hurtful step dad in the mix, and you get one hell of a mess. People no longer openly profess their hatred of me, and through some combination of them letting down and me becoming desensitized to it, things are now bearable and I'm hoping to meet like minded people in collage next year, but the memories don't go away.

But I'm starting to go all self pitiful here. Whilst I'm 100% sure bullying will never be completely eradicated (as part of human nature, it's been around since the dawn of time and will almost certainly stay until the end of it), there must be some ways to cut it down and help the victims. Teacher's would be a definite part of the solution, but ultimately it's down to the victim to reveal their problems and confide in someone. If they are unwilling to, there's not much solving anyone can do. Organisations like The Samaritans and Childline are life-savers here, offering a confidential way to talk to a non-judgmental person and get some advice.

I posted a similar message on Facebook, but no one I know really seems to be interested in discussion. I thought this might be a decent place to bring this up, since some of you have about a decade's more life experience than me and have gone through school yourselves, and probably have a bit more knowledge behind your words.

And I realize I never mentioned. The latest victim was the second victim's sister. My heart goes out to their poor parents. When I read about that first incident months ago, I never imagined things would escalate to this, and I truly hope this girl signals the end of this vile chain reaction.

P.S. @Ulysses
I'm really looking forward to episode 7 and 8. I'm sure they'll put a beautiful ending on a great series.

Ibrahim
Sat Dec 15 22:59:21 2012
Devil's Flight

Hi Everyone. I'm getting nowhere fast in Devil's flight, I can get so far but always end up either going down in a hail of fire or being frightened to death. I've played through the gamebook as far as I can numerous times trying different pathways each time, but I must be missing something somewhere, could the author or someone who has played through this gamebook give me some pointers please? You can email me on ibrahim_gucukoglu@sent.com if you dont want to clutter up the guessbook.

Haoie
Sun Dec 16 01:23:56 2012
Devil's Flight

The chokepoint is the run or die fighting scene. Something to do with a triangular key looks to be the solution. I'm guessing I need to rouse the captain into action to get the key but I can't figure out how?

C-Star
Sun Dec 16 11:34:14 2012
Devil's Flight

I had the exact same problem as you. The door with the triangle lock is a 'bittersweet' ending, and not the true one. If you rouse the captain, you won't take this route at all. I'll give you a hint.

SPOILER

END SPOILER

If you need more hints, ask.

Ibrahim
Tue Dec 18 11:58:18 2012
Devil's Flight

@C-star Thank you for that, I figured that the guy you needed to chase at the beginning was key because he

SPOILER

END SPOILER

C-Star
Tue Dec 18 17:36:20 2012
Devil's Flight

SPOILER

END SPOILER

Ibrahim
Wed Dec 19 03:13:36 2012
Devil's Flight

@c-star Thanks again, I managed to complete the game, I just had to pay attention a little more closely to the conversation with the man in the deep sleep chamber. The irony of what happens to you after you defeat the alien leader though beggers belief and left a sour taste in my mouth. I still prefer Soul Trapper, a much more satisfying work with multiple pathways to the happy ending, Devil's flight depends too much on being successful with your observation and cybernetics.

C-Star
Wed Dec 19 08:04:46 2012
Devil's Flight

Yeah i know, that part was really stupid. And as for the fear score, I was scared to death several times, but all those times I was taking the wrong path. On the true path, I didn't come close to 10 fear.

Gaetano
Wed Dec 19 18:26:18 2012
Devil's Flight

Hi Ibrahim, are you referring to the end, when you can either

SPOILER

END SPOILER

As far as choosing your skills, you're correct that

SPOILER

END SPOILER

Thank you for your comments, as always- feedback is always appreciated.

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