Great review. The last time I read this book was some 40 years ago. I couldn't win. But it inspire me to co-write a book like this with a friend of mine. We were big fans of Steve Jackson because he seemed to distinguish as an inovator. Thank you for bringing so good memories.
Great review, Mike. I have fonder original memories of this one, but I remember thinking exactly the same thing about 340 paragraphs! I agree the illustrations were lacking, I found them simplistic, but I love the cover, one of my top five. I'll have to find time to return to these books.
I agree that this was a brave attempt. A bit too brave as you say; done later on in the series may have been better. It did some subtle things: [1.] For the first time in the series we have a survival mission rather than a hero mission. [2.] The game mechanic of having crew members and they could die if you made certain choices. Like the medical officer dying from fever on a planet when you didn't allow her to leave. Offhand I can''t think of another book with this mechanic. Seas of Blood might have had a similar pirate crew mechanic but i am not sure. I will have a lot to say about City of Thieves.
Good review Mike, i agree they were trying to run before they walked............Although like you say the never really got their Sci-Fi books to fufil their promise.
I didn't like this book, but after your review I'm tempted to give it another go. I think the main reason i didnt like it was i tried it several times and failed.😅 Steve Jackson so was inspired by Star Trek that he came up with the plot of Voyager!
Funny you should say that - I'm currently reviewing a gamebook set in modern day New York, called Somnambulist by Valerie Paris. I'm not sure what I think about it, but you might enjoy it. valerie-paris.itch.io/somnambulist
10yr old me absolutely hated Starship Traveler. This (if memory serves...), was the 1st of the series NOT to have a "tag-sentence" under the illustrations that tied it to the paragraph it was representing, and I was gutted about that...Love seeing these OG covers as well - Keep em coming.
Loving this series . Please please continue ❤
Talisman of Death and Space Assassin coming soon!
Great review. The last time I read this book was some 40 years ago. I couldn't win. But it inspire me to co-write a book like this with a friend of mine. We were big fans of Steve Jackson because he seemed to distinguish as an inovator. Thank you for bringing so good memories.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Hey, loving your channel and just working through your FF reviews. Agree, imagine if Steve had written this entry post Creature of Havoc?
Thanks for your comment. Glad you're enjoying the reviews. I reckon this would have rivalled Sorcery if Jacko had written it later.
Great review, Mike. I have fonder original memories of this one, but I remember thinking exactly the same thing about 340 paragraphs! I agree the illustrations were lacking, I found them simplistic, but I love the cover, one of my top five. I'll have to find time to return to these books.
Thanks, mate! 340 - it's an outrage!
Great review, Mike - very fair. I always felt short-changed by the 340 paragraphs too, but it was packed full of great ideas.
Thanks, Jason!
I agree that this was a brave attempt. A bit too brave as you say; done later on in the series may have been better. It did some subtle things:
[1.] For the first time in the series we have a survival mission rather than a hero mission.
[2.] The game mechanic of having crew members and they could die if you made certain choices. Like the medical officer dying from fever on a planet when you didn't allow her to leave. Offhand I can''t think of another book with this mechanic. Seas of Blood might have had a similar pirate crew mechanic but i am not sure.
I will have a lot to say about City of Thieves.
Ha, City of Thieves coming soon! You make good points about Starship Traveller (which, whatever its faults, is defs better than Seas of Blood)
Great review - the book always left me wanting more. I wish Jackson had written follow ups in the science fiction genre.
Same here, and especially a game book series like Sorcery
Same here, and especially a game book series like Sorcery
Love this new series of reviews! Just the right length to get a nice overview! I just subscribed to follow these reviews!
Great! Thanks for subscribing. City of Thieves on its way!
Thanks for the review, but know I thinking about a "Sliders" style adventure book.
Yeah, I can see that!
Good review Mike, i agree they were trying to run before they walked............Although like you say the never really got their Sci-Fi books to fufil their promise.
And I think this is probably the best of the sci-fi books, to be honest.
I didn't like this book, but after your review I'm tempted to give it another go. I think the main reason i didnt like it was i tried it several times and failed.😅
Steve Jackson so was inspired by Star Trek that he came up with the plot of Voyager!
Yeah, right? He should have got royalties!
I'd like to see some in contemporary times, like House Of Hell.
Funny you should say that - I'm currently reviewing a gamebook set in modern day New York, called Somnambulist by Valerie Paris. I'm not sure what I think about it, but you might enjoy it. valerie-paris.itch.io/somnambulist
10yr old me absolutely hated Starship Traveler. This (if memory serves...), was the 1st of the series NOT to have a "tag-sentence" under the illustrations that tied it to the paragraph it was representing, and I was gutted about that...Love seeing these OG covers as well - Keep em coming.
Will do. Thanks, Simon!