Fighting Fantasy novels are some of the best fiction I have ever read. Being translated into a game is even better thanks to all the perks that come with a game. Not having to keep track of stats, inventory, or where to turn the page. Sorcery is a series created by Steve Jackson and is wonderfully crafted. It’s not so much the characters in the game, but the world itself and how it’s portrayed.
When the game starts out the player comes across a beggar and has complete freedom to kill him, greet him, or just ignore him. In fact, this is a completely open game; every choice matters until the very end. I was just surprised at how much detail went into each choice and each move. Every step of the way a choice can be made that can kill you, help you, or show consequences later in the game. Just greeting or ignoring someone can be optional or that is the person you needed to talk to make your path easier. It’s so organic though, and that’s the magic of this game.
The goal of the game is to find four magic lines that you must recite at the north gate of the city that has been locked for thousands of years. Of course you can leave the city and leave it to be burned down by the raiding Orcs and Goblins, however, this is the cheap way out. If you missed one of the four nobles you must find you can warp back to a point in the city and try the area again. Another thing I really loved is that your character remembers going through these areas so the game is adjusted accordingly. You can avoid traps, being captured, and fights to make going to areas you missed easier. You can also rewind any encounter at any time without any penalties which are a blessing for these choose your adventure games.
The visuals are rather charming and feel like something that has come right out of a book. The sound design is a little lacking, but when it does kick in, along with the music, it’s fantastic. The other two elements of the game besides adventuring are magic and combat. Magic is used throughout the entire game from predicting traps, weakening enemies, creating shields, or making yourself bigger. Magic can be used to help or harm people. Combat is strategic in a way that you must read what’s going on with the enemy and then watch their stamina bar to predict how hard your next attack should be or to defend.
In the end, I had one problem, I couldn’t figure out where the last two nobles were, I almost gave up on the game, but some of the clues finally made sense and I was able to find both nobles in one try before going back to the north gate. The story flowing organically allowed me to remember where I heard about the nobles and that I had visited those areas and it finally clicked. Once I opened the game I finished the ending and couldn’t wait to jump into Sorcery 3. This game is highly recommended for RPG fans and choose your adventure fans.
When the game starts out the player comes across a beggar and has complete freedom to kill him, greet him, or just ignore him. In fact, this is a completely open game; every choice matters until the very end. I was just surprised at how much detail went into each choice and each move. Every step of the way a choice can be made that can kill you, help you, or show consequences later in the game. Just greeting or ignoring someone can be optional or that is the person you needed to talk to make your path easier. It’s so organic though, and that’s the magic of this game.
The goal of the game is to find four magic lines that you must recite at the north gate of the city that has been locked for thousands of years. Of course you can leave the city and leave it to be burned down by the raiding Orcs and Goblins, however, this is the cheap way out. If you missed one of the four nobles you must find you can warp back to a point in the city and try the area again. Another thing I really loved is that your character remembers going through these areas so the game is adjusted accordingly. You can avoid traps, being captured, and fights to make going to areas you missed easier. You can also rewind any encounter at any time without any penalties which are a blessing for these choose your adventure games.
The visuals are rather charming and feel like something that has come right out of a book. The sound design is a little lacking, but when it does kick in, along with the music, it’s fantastic. The other two elements of the game besides adventuring are magic and combat. Magic is used throughout the entire game from predicting traps, weakening enemies, creating shields, or making yourself bigger. Magic can be used to help or harm people. Combat is strategic in a way that you must read what’s going on with the enemy and then watch their stamina bar to predict how hard your next attack should be or to defend.
In the end, I had one problem, I couldn’t figure out where the last two nobles were, I almost gave up on the game, but some of the clues finally made sense and I was able to find both nobles in one try before going back to the north gate. The story flowing organically allowed me to remember where I heard about the nobles and that I had visited those areas and it finally clicked. Once I opened the game I finished the ending and couldn’t wait to jump into Sorcery 3. This game is highly recommended for RPG fans and choose your adventure fans.