The old FF books were a huge favorite of mine as a kid....They were sort of hard to come by in the U.S. In those days though. It's great to see they are still being published.
My first FF book was Forest of Doom. Playing In the woods as a kid my Imagination ran wild. Good times. Like you the art of the ‘new’ releases put me off.
Another fantastic video, from the realm of fighting fantasy. Is there a walk through of Shadow of Giants, or ps can you do one? Pretty pretty pleeease! 🙏🏼 The scholastic clip art looks computer generated. Whereas, the old school, fighting fantasy, looks hand crafted and probably is. I don’t know for sure. The way the old school pictures jump out and draw you into their realm is simply unique and jaw dropping. I used to read the MAD comic books, when I was a teenager, about nearly 30 years ago and the detailing, reminds me a bit, of the old school fighting fantasy. But the Olde Worlde fighting fantasy, really sets the standard for comic/game book art. Thanks very much for this!
P.s. I also nearly forgot to mention the artwork of Calamity James from the Beano and the artwork from the film Labyrinth. They create the elements of mystery and intrigue that are lost to youngsters. You just can’t beat hand crafted artwork, this is where more modern technologies fall down. Well done and a massive thanks to Ian Livingstone for reintroducing and reviving it.
Taste in art is varied but I am with you in that I as well prefer the detailed line art illustrations. I will be getting this based on your review. Thanks!!
The best internal art of the old books was City of Thieves. There's loads of funny little things going on in the background. I believe there's an issue of White Dwarf hiding somewhere... Second place goes to John Blanche's work on Sorcery. There's a nice bit of continuity between the first and last books based on a portrait. If you miss it, you'll have a tough time in the Crown of Kings. Fighting Fantasy's art spoils the pre-83 TSR stuff for me. I just can't take it seriously in comparison. Heresey! 😅
Are they republishing all the books with the style on Return to Firetop Mountain anytime soon? I like the new covers (except Crystal of Storms) but hated the modern lustrations. If I'm reading a book about mystical creatures I want it to have the feeling that is old, not like it was made with a computer or that is a stock image.
Most of the solo gamebooks here in the States were Choose-Your-Own-Adventure types, like Endless Quest and Find Your Fate. These Fighting Fantasy books sound awesome. There was only one book I played that used dice, but I can't remember the name of it. I think the protagonist was a samurai. The one thing I remembered were these Asian peasants whose heads detached and attacked.
O man, yes, that book art. I bought in 2018 or 2019 the whole reedition of way of the Tiger and the book art was not the same. It was bland, computer made, watercolor like ugly. It was crap, yes I almost regretted buying them. But then I remmember I like reading them as a kid.
The old FF books were a huge favorite of mine as a kid....They were sort of hard to come by in the U.S. In those days though. It's great to see they are still being published.
They are fun books. Loved them then and still do now. It is good they are still being published
My first FF book was Forest of Doom. Playing In the woods as a kid my Imagination ran wild. Good times. Like you the art of the ‘new’ releases put me off.
Yep. I'm glad to see this return to good art
Another fantastic video, from the realm of fighting fantasy. Is there a walk through of Shadow of Giants, or ps can you do one? Pretty pretty pleeease! 🙏🏼
The scholastic clip art looks computer generated. Whereas, the old school, fighting fantasy, looks hand crafted and probably is. I don’t know for sure.
The way the old school pictures jump out and draw you into their realm is simply unique and jaw dropping.
I used to read the MAD comic books, when I was a teenager, about nearly 30 years ago and the detailing, reminds me a bit, of the old school fighting fantasy. But the Olde Worlde fighting fantasy, really sets the standard for comic/game book art.
Thanks very much for this!
P.s. I also nearly forgot to mention the artwork of Calamity James from the Beano and the artwork from the film Labyrinth. They create the elements of mystery and intrigue that are lost to youngsters. You just can’t beat hand crafted artwork, this is where more modern technologies fall down.
Well done and a massive thanks to Ian Livingstone for reintroducing and reviving it.
Once I complete it I may do a run through on the channel
Beautiful artwork!
It really is
Taste in art is varied but I am with you in that I as well prefer the detailed line art illustrations. I will be getting this based on your review. Thanks!!
Thank you. The art in the book holds up and the adventure is right up there with the originals. Good fun
love'em its those that got me into ttrpgs, and have slowly bben rewritting and playing with my roleplaying group
I would say they were for me too
Strange I can't find that book on US Amazon. I searched for the website and clicked the link there and it took me to UK Amazon which had it.
Weird. The others are for sell in the US though?
I had to order it from Book Depository.
I just got the scholastic house of hell. Looking forward to enjoying it again after all these years.
What's the art in it? Is it the original art?
@@TheBattlinBarrowGaming No the crappy new art.
@@teenageapocalypseusa5368 boo. Want me to source a old copy and send your way?
@@TheBattlinBarrowGaming That is so cool of you, but honestly I bought the book just for research. I'm making my own one next year! haha!
The best internal art of the old books was City of Thieves. There's loads of funny little things going on in the background. I believe there's an issue of White Dwarf hiding somewhere...
Second place goes to John Blanche's work on Sorcery. There's a nice bit of continuity between the first and last books based on a portrait. If you miss it, you'll have a tough time in the Crown of Kings.
Fighting Fantasy's art spoils the pre-83 TSR stuff for me. I just can't take it seriously in comparison. Heresey! 😅
I've never noticed that in cot! Going to have to have a good look now. Ff art was amazing and I'm glad to see this book return to that style
@@TheBattlinBarrowGaming it's in the rubbish next to the hag in the sewer opposite paragraphs 14-18 (on my copy).
A giant that does not looks like he had too much McDonald and even wears proper armour on the cover? It's like a dream come true!
ITs a great piece of art
Had dead of night when I was a kid. Loved it!
Isn't that book worth a mint now?
@Battlin' Barrow Gaming Quite a lot yes. I don't still have it unfortunately
My personal favourite. The demon hunter idea was very cool. An the skills were so nicely balanced.
Are they republishing all the books with the style on Return to Firetop Mountain anytime soon? I like the new covers (except Crystal of Storms) but hated the modern lustrations. If I'm reading a book about mystical creatures I want it to have the feeling that is old, not like it was made with a computer or that is a stock image.
I am not too sure about the new rebulished books with the old art I have not risked buying them just in case it is with new art.
Most of the solo gamebooks here in the States were Choose-Your-Own-Adventure types, like Endless Quest and Find Your Fate. These Fighting Fantasy books sound awesome.
There was only one book I played that used dice, but I can't remember the name of it. I think the protagonist was a samurai. The one thing I remembered were these Asian peasants whose heads detached and attacked.
There was a fighting fantasy book called sword of the samurai back in the day. Could be that?
@@TheBattlinBarrowGaming I'll have to check it out.
I still have many of my old FF books I read and played as a kid lol some are worse for wear 😂
No more FF gameplay on your channel anymore? I missed those days...
I am planning more! Going to be playing one I have owned since it came out but never played.
@@TheBattlinBarrowGaming Gates of Death?
O man, yes, that book art. I bought in 2018 or 2019 the whole reedition of way of the Tiger and the book art was not the same. It was bland, computer made, watercolor like ugly. It was crap, yes I almost regretted buying them. But then I remmember I like reading them as a kid.
Yes this art work is a much welcome return to form
Hello try thi
Fair warning. If you roll less than 10 skill your getting nowhere LOL.
The encounters are hard. The new books don't do safe spaces 😂
Yep I've found out this haha. I need to revisit this book soon