The Citadel of Bureaucracy & Endless Destinies: The Clockwork City - a gamebook double feature!

The Citadel of Bureaucracy
a.co/d/dRKLVEn
Endless Destinies
endlessdestini...
#solorpg
#gamebook
*****
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[@miked5394]

It's kinda funny, I sort of remember losing interest in gaming books at some point in high school - despite how important they were to me as a kid. I mostly lost track of how they've evolved and transitioned into modern times, but I'm learning to appreciate them all over again 30+ years later. "Hunched, crabby civil servants" -- I feel attacked!!

[@specialagentutah2383]

Providing cards for combat and skill checks plus giving the player options for exploration and character development has given the choose-your-path genre a real shake. And I love it. Make sure to keep an eye out for the next Endless Destinies adventure!

[@JeffWitty]

I LOVE these game books! It’s the best way to solo game anywhere without drawing too much attention, I feel.

[@jdmitchellwriter]

Thanks again for the great review, and to everyone who's given Citadel of Bureaucracy a try (it's been really great)! If you have played the book and would like to help further, please consider leaving a rating or review on Goodreads or the site you bought it. Thanks, everyone, for your kind support!

[@COOPFORTWO]

This had me at the title "Citadel of Bureaucracy".

[@jdmitchellwriter]

Thanks! I found it very cathartic to write.

[@jdmitchellwriter]

Thanks for such a great review!

[@blainroman7317]

Yes both games seem really unique and fun. I like adventure exploration so probably will get the Clockwork City first. I like the ending music at the end of the video you made.

[@healthytouch101]

Citadel is fun and I love the view it has and it was fun to have a different setting. I got this for a winter diversion and it is fun. I have Clockwork on my list now, you really tempted me with the overview and how cool it is to use the cards to track things. I look forward to more gamebooks like this, especially new themes like Citadel offers, with or without the satire.

[@jdmitchellwriter]

So glad you enjoyed Citadel!

[@mica8076]

Thanks for sharing! I'm ordering a copy of The Clockwork City!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@ObsidianKnight90]

I've been interested in The Clockwork City for a while, glad to hear it's a fun experience! I'll probably pick up a copy soon.

[@d.aardent9382]

I'd try the "clockwork city" story game. I tend to like these smaller, simpler adventure games.
This seems a bit more involved with the cards and other bits, where its like a bigger rpg game but still not overly complicated.
Its not the same ol' going into crypts or dungeons,etc.
"City of Thieves" in the Steve Jackson/ Ian Livingstone Fighting Fantasy book series was one of my favorites as it wasnt all going into caverns, it did have some sewer exploration. It had buildings to go into and shops and a ship in the harbor.
I just thought the ending was kinda lame with the tower, it just seemed like they gave up on being creative and just wrapped it up with some quick idea that didnt fit the rest of the overall plot and scenes.

[@jdmitchellwriter]

City of Thieves is a good FF book with a classic setting and tons of atmosphere. Most of the books do have serious weaknesses, though. I've been replaying them all and reviewing on Goodreads.

[@miked5394]

Took me a day to find it in my library, but have you read the The Regional Accounts Director of Firetop Mountain? I suspect it's in the same vein as The Citadel of Bureaucracy - the artwork inside is great.

[@TheDungeonDive]

HA! No, I have not, but that sounds hilarious.

[@IHeart16Bit]

Clockwork City looks very nice, but extremely short for having such well thought out mechanics. That is not a big book for so many locations.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Didn't strike me as short.

[@d.aardent9382]

The Citadel of Bureaucracy book may be funny but too much of reality there reminding me of the current idiotic gang of crooks running the government ( and i mean all parties are equally guilty)
Bureaucracy and unhinged corporatist profiteers is one of the biggest problems in the country.
They should do a CYOA based on the 1985 movie Brazil that Terry Gilliam , Charles Mckeown, tom stoppard wrote and Gilliam directed.
Its like Monty Python-esque absurdist sarcastic dark comedy.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Welcome to the hellscape that is late stage capitalism.

[@jdmitchellwriter]

One of my beta readers said Citadel reminded them of Brazil. There's also an Easter egg to summon Ye Liveliest Awfulness if despair takes hold. That, and shoving a coworker into a waiting elevator.

[@MelvLee]

I have been playing City of Clockwork recently and really enjoyed the use of cards. In fact, I am using them in other games to track health / mana / status etc too. I also agree the shorter paragraphs makes it easier to pick up and put down. That said I wish the box is a bit smaller, it has kinda a big box for a thin book and a deck of cards, wish they could maybe separate the deck and the book to make it more portable - which is the original point of game books :)