You half-collapse against an elm tree. The arrow head is still lodged deep in your thigh, throbs like the devil. Gritting your teeth, you stagger onwards through the dusky gloom, panting with tremendous effort. You lean against the bough of a sturdy oak, as if hoping to absorb its strength. Finally, too exhausted to go on, you give in to thoughts of a peaceful eternal sleep, away from this cold, brutal, hopeless world of woes...

Robert Douglas' historical gamebook is ready to play.

Robert Douglas
Sun Dec 1 01:34:17 2019
A Saint Beckons
Skull - non-optimum ending reached

Damn, despite my knowing the true path - killed by my own gamebook!

Thanks for posting 'A Saint Beckons' on the website :)

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ShawnFireDragon
Tue Dec 3 16:04:50 2019
The Black Lobster
Star - optimum ending reached

Great story, I really enjoyed playing. I am a long time fan of Fighting Fantasy. Thanks for your wonderful adventure.

A. E. Johnston
Sat Dec 7 18:43:44 2019
A Saint Beckons

Exciting! I've always been a big fan of historical gamebooks, and Robert always does a terrific job, can't wait to try this for Christmas!

A.E.Johnston
Sun Dec 8 09:03:22 2019
A Saint Beckons

Just gave it a first run whirl and I was very impressed Robert! I can give a more detailed review once I’ve played through it a bit more thoroughly, but so far so good!

Haha, no need to worry about dying in your own written game book, it happens to the best of us :-D

Tammy
Sun Dec 8 19:38:57 2019
A Saint Beckons

Congratulations Robert!

I haven't played it yet, but I will soon. It's always nice to see new gamebooks pop up on the side bar especially when I hear it's historical. Quite excited for this one.

Robert Douglas
Mon Dec 9 01:08:50 2019
A Saint Beckons

Thanks Tammy, hope you enjoy it :)

Jordan
Mon Dec 9 04:24:13 2019
A Saint Beckons

Need a bit of help with the knight's tomb bit. I suck at puzzles haha.

Jordan
Mon Dec 9 04:52:12 2019
A Saint Beckons
Star - optimum ending reached

Excellent job Robert, perhaps there's a sequel in store? Also, seems the game can be completed without the

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HAL
Mon Dec 9 15:23:31 2019
Deathtrap

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

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. 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
Deathtrap

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.

Robert Douglas
Mon Dec 9 19:01:50 2019
A Saint Beckons

Hi Jordan, there well might be a sequel forthcoming - but not for a good while! As for

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