The Legion of Shadow

DestinyQuest #1

by Michael J. Ward

DestinyQuest: The Legion of Shadow uses an innovative map system to allow readers to experience exciting quests, battle fearsome monsters and discover valuable rewards.

Genres: Fantasy, Gamebooks, Fiction, Role Playing Games, Choose Your Own Adventure, Games, High Fantasy

534 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2011

Reviews

[Robin Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great idea, but for me it failed to rekindle the experiences of youth with the fighting fantasy books.
Maybe I just don't have that inner geek in me any more?
The books though are well written, the plot is tight and the characters engaging, if not totally lifelike.
What does strike me is just how complex it is to write something like this, multiple interconnecting lines that must connect and support each other. The more I looked at the writing style the more impressed I was by it.

If I had to mark the book for complexity and ability to reach that audience i would give the author a clear 5. But I'm marking based on my own experience and enjoyment, and I struggled to finish it, because its just not me any more.

I do think though that many will love this book. and i do applaud Michael Ward for the book.

(Parm)

Description:

DestinyQuest: The Legion of Shadow takes its influence from two genres - the `choose your own adventure' book and the computer role-playing game. It uses an innovative map system to allow readers to experience exciting quests, battle fearsome monsters and discover valuable rewards.

Through their adventures, the reader can customise their hero from a selection of 400 items and 80 special abilities, allowing them to take on ever-greater challenges as they seek to save the kingdom from the sinister Legion of Shadow.

Author Michael J. Ward draws on 10 years publishing experience and over 30 years of gaming to create a unique product; a book that draws on the latest innovations in computer-game design and fuses them with the old-style game books that initially attracted him to fantasy when he was younger

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings regarding this lengthy gamebook. Generally-speaking, it's like a traditional gamebook done in Fabled Lands style, with an obvious influence of CRPGs. It features an epic-length story where you get to choose which quest to do first, no perma-deaths, lots of gear, secret items, and even combat achievements.

I enjoyed the story and the writing, but I really disliked how it integrated with the gamebook part of it. The main problem was pacing. Once the book enters act 2, there's actually a serious sense of urgency, yet the Fabled Lands structure basically means you are taking your own sweet time before going after the main quest (ala the majority of computer RPGs). It breaks immersion when you stray from the all-important time-sensitive quest to do lots of little side quests that mostly have nothing to do with the main quest - and you have to do these, just to get better "loot". But on the plus side, unlike Fabled Lands, DestinyQuest forces you to discard - you only have a limited number of slots, more akin to traditional gamebooks (and computer RPGs).

The other part about pacing was how each act ended (there are 3 acts - the last act is basically a cliffhanger for book 2). The way the acts end were badly done, from a storytelling point of view. The second-to-last quest is basically your climactic ending - the "boss" fight, so to speak. You finish that, and... you start the last quest of the act - it ended up really anti-climactic, a serious dampener to what was a "high". It's like a really long epilogue that just drags on for no reason when all you want to do is to reach the next milestone.

While the combat mechanics are easy enough, it gets really tedious once you get to the middle parts, to the point where I mostly couldn't be bothered anymore, especially since you just get to try again anyway. Way too much dice-rolling when you're facing multiple enemies, and multiple special abilities. And each time you get "loot", you'd likely have to look up and remind yourself what those abilities do (there's a lot of abilities). And just like computer games, these "item drops" can be rather silly (e.g.: body parts being used as "equipment"). It depends on what you're looking for when you read a gamebook I suppose.

On the side, it's actually rather interesting that the gamebook adopts the video-game style of letting you pick a character class/role/job/profession/path (whatever you're familiar with), and you even get variants depending on your choices. It's nice, and I do think they offer different fighting styles, but ultimately the fights are not balanced - there is one class type and one stat/attribute that's simply better than the other two. Also, too bad the narrative doesn't really distinguish between the classes.

For the book itself, unlike traditional gamebooks, there are zero illustrations (aside from the nicely-done coloured maps). Also, due to the book size, gamebook length, and large font, it's actually a bit unwieldy to play and read. But then again, despite the length, a lot of the paragraphs simply offer the illusion of choice. Many just branch off for one or two sections and then merge again - even when the choice is as significant as good intentions vs evil intentions (and that happened not just once!).

In summary, the writing was pretty solid - it's a good story with personality, to the point where I actually like the few recurring NPCs. There's enough "meat" and "flavour" in the plot plus the world-building that would have made a very nice high fantasy story - without it needing to be a gamebook at all. On the gamebook side, I didn't really enjoy it much.

[Charles R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In terms of gamebooks, DestinyQuest is a behemoth, both in its physical size and what the author is able to pack into the game's mechanics. The first thing that jumps out (after the initial shock of unpacking this tome) is its layout. Typical choose-your-own fare start you at #1 and send you on your merry way, not so here. After an engaging prologue, you, the reader, are sent to one of the book's three beautiful maps where you pick the next leg of your adventure. You are free to complete them in any order or skip sections altogether (not that you'd want to, missing out on the variety of stories and items will only do you a disservice).

The only downside that I can find is the lack of internal illustrations (aside from some small fillers to break up the text). However, this is more than made up for by the incredible maps and the sheer amount of content. The story sees you nywhere from partaking in some classic fairy tales to taking on a monstrous army. The game's mechanics, reminiscent of pc arpgs (think Diablo, Titan Quest, or Baldur's Gate, etc.), make the pen and paper action quick and satisfying. All in all, DestinyQuest provides a quick gaming fix that is quick to pick up and play (but is still engaging enough for longer sessions).

[Ida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun adventure with a nice story, and a satisfying set of rules and rewards. I love the size of it, and have really enjoyed building my character. Looking forward to the next one in the series!

[Ángel Javier · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pesar de que la puntuación que le he puesto no sea demasiado alta, he de reconocer que este es el librojuego más adictivo al que he jugado en la vida. El motivo es que su autor lo ha escrito como si fuera un videojuego y la verdad es que funciona. Y de qué modo.

El mundo constituye un entorno abierto (más o menos), con lo que lo puedes explorar por completo y decidir por dónde vas, si bien Ward te guía mediante un práctico código de colores que indica el grado de dificultad de cada misión. Tiene tres niveles de dificultad (tienes que superar el primer grado para pasar al segundo, y el segundo para llegar al tercero), cada uno con un «boss» final que hay que derrotar. Cuando derrotas a cada bicho, se disuelven en tesoros (más o menos, hay intentos de racionalizar el montoncito de baratijas en las que se desmontan, pero ni el mismo autor se lo toma muy en serio) de los que sueles poder tomar uno según te convenga. Hay montones de poderes que van de lo cutre salchichero a lo súper saiyan, con lo cual tienes que pensarte bien cómo currarte al personaje y qué profesión y carrera seguir (aunque, la verdad, tal y como se desarrollan los acontecimientos, sobre todo a partir del tercer acto, lo que más le pega al personaje es ser nigromante o asesino, y no digo más...).

Aparte de lo enganchante que es, lo mejor es la historia que se monta Ward, que la verdad es que mola bastante. El trasfondo del mundo está currado, y el del prota, también, un montón, dotándolo de una profundidad cada vez mayor. Además, un detalle estupendo es que, cuánto más oscuro se nos va revelando el pasado del personaje (empieza siendo amnésico), más siniestras se vuelven las misiones en las que se ve involucrado. El final, que no voy a espoilear, es agridulce tirando más a lo agrio que a lo dulce, y claramente prepara al lector para una secuela que creo que todavía no se ha escrito, porque aunque hay más DestinyQuests de estos, a nuestro atormentado protagonista no lo vemos más que en cameos por aquí y por allá en los mismos. Esperemos que en una futura aventura conozcamos su final definitivo.

Sin embargo, el libro tiene fallos, y gordos. En primer lugar, el hecho de que el personaje sea indestructible le resta emoción a manta a la aventura. De hecho, no pasa absolutamente nada malo cuando la palmas, solo que tienes que volver atrás (no mucho, de hecho), y volver a pasar algún encuentro. Y ya. En segundo lugar, en cuanto logras mogollón de poderes, o te lo montas con cartas o algo así (las hay del primer libro, descargables en la página web del juego, pero no de los demás), o te pierdes en dos minutos. De hecho, incluso con cartas el combate puede volverse extraordinariamente lioso. En tercer lugar, los puzles son prácticamente irresolubles, lo que hace que a la hora o así de estar dándole vueltas al tema, te vas a internet y buscas la solución. Y tan pichi. Y encima, los objetos que obtienes resolviendo los acertijos, no son ni de coña de los mejores del juego, por lo que lo mejor es pasar de ellos. Y en cuarto y último lugar, el problema, a mi entender, más grave: muy pocas opciones verdaderas. Una vez que entras en un túnel, una mazmorra o un cementerio, Ward básicamente te conduce hasta la misma conclusión hagas lo que hagas. Sí, te pierdes algún objeto o ganas otro, luchas contra un bicho feo o contra otro, pero al final prácticamente no importa. Y eso, en un librojuego, es un problema. Ojo, que no estoy diciendo que todo gamebook tenga que ser un laberinto mortal (guiño, guiño), pero alguna trampa, alguna insta-death después de alguna decisión particularmente idiota, algún objeto ultra secreto y súper chulo que solo puedas resolver después de mogollón de puzles, trazado de mapas y usando el seso en lugar de los músculo... se agradecería.

Pero bueno, nadie es perfecto, y, sobre todo para ser el primero de una saga, es un libro muy bien escrito y, como he empezado diciendo, súper adictivo. Una experiencia satisfactoria y entretenida que hace que ya haya encargado los demás libros de la saga, que dicen que son bastante mejores. Pues nada... ¡a engancharse, nennnnnns!!!!

[Michael Reilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The evident computer game influence within Michael J. Ward’s DestinyQuest: The Legion of Shadow stands boldly at the forefront of what it is that differentiates this series from many other gamebook formats. Within its pages we find individual quests (which can be undertaken in any order), no permanent death and a multitude of collectible items (clothing, weapons, items, armour etc.) that improve attributes and add bonuses to enhance your chances of surviving battles. All of these features mirror the hub structures, save/respawn mechanics and progressive enhancements found in modern computer games (particularly in the RPG genre) that allow the player to proceed and customise as they wish, without the frustration and fear of lost progression.

As a game mechanic it works well, without significantly diluting the common (or expected) gamebook experience. The freedom of player choice and movement when selecting the colour-coded quests introduces the opportunity to increase the challenge for those who wish to tackle the harder quests before they’ve had an opportunity to acquire improved gear and bonuses to aid their character. This also means that any quest proving to be too difficult can be returned to later when the player feels suitably equipped to now effectively overcome the level of threat it contains. These self-contained mini-adventures are typically not too long (the Legendary monster quests are very quick battle challenges) and together they provide background information and player experiences that then form into the larger story being told.

My interest in computer gaming, classic board games and the gamebook genre was a key influence in choosing to play the DestinyQuest series, as I was keen to see how Ward’s approach changed, or added to, the standard gamebook structure I was most familiar with. My opinion of the experience varied significantly while playing The Legion of Shadow, shifting from a bewildered level of frustration to a satisfied sense of pleasure as I encountered the various positives and negatives that exist within its considerable amount of content.

Unfortunately, the combat mechanics of Ward’s system ultimately disappoint, as it is either too difficult to win battles (particularly very early on) or simply too easy (once you’ve acquired enough bonuses to become all-powerful). As per the battle system in the Fighting Fantasy gamebooks – where a high SKILL value is of significant benefit – The Legion of Shadow effectively requires you to seek a high SPEED attribute over all others. Once your SPEED is elevated to a level that matches or surpasses that of most enemies, your combined Attack Speed should allow you to comfortably win a majority of combat rounds – particularly if you’ve chosen a good balance of special abilities. Thankfully, the story itself remains unaffected by this weakness, but for a gamebook containing a lot of fighting it is a notable lowlight.

This is a very substantial book of many sections. Whilst there are a decent number of options available within each quest, many only offer a minor variation on the general theme and do not create a significantly different experience. Hidden secrets and bonus items may be discovered though, so there is value in searching for rare loot to enhance and individually customise your character. Book design and layout is of a professional standard, although it does suffer from a lack of illustrations – only featuring small line-art fillers. The attractive colour maps and illustrations are of a high quality.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the vast landscape of gamebooks and interactive narratives, "The Legion of Shadow" by Michael J. Ward occupies a unique position that warrants both praise and critique. Is it a gamebook worth exploring? Well, it's certainly not terrible, but it doesn't quite attain the level of greatness that some other titles do. Does it provide a satisfying adventure? Undoubtedly, yet it's important to note that there are better options available to those seeking interactive storytelling.

Where many gamebooks tread familiar ground, "Legion of Shadows" boldly forges its own path. It takes the MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) route, placing a strong emphasis on loot collection and delivering a well-crafted, on-rails narrative experience. This unique approach blends elements of traditional gamebooks with the familiar gameplay of World of Warcraft.

One can't help but be impressed by the sheer magnitude of this tome; it's a colossal volume, and the commitment to constructing an expansive world is commendable. The writing itself is quite satisfying, immersing readers in a meticulously detailed universe. The story, while linear, maintains its allure throughout the journey.

However, it's here that the book's unique mechanics come into play. Unlike many adventure games that incorporate a permadeath mechanic, where mistakes have dire consequences, "Legion of Shadows" takes a different approach. Given its MMORPG influence, death here lacks the stakes found in other games. When you meet your demise, you simply 'respawn' on the world map and can continue your journey from where you met your untimely end, without having to retrace your steps.

While this approach may appeal to those who prefer a more forgiving experience, it also dilutes the tension and risk that can make adventure games so gripping. The lack of real consequences for failure can lessen the sense of accomplishment that comes from navigating treacherous paths and making critical decisions.

In conclusion, "The Legion of Shadow" is a gamebook that embraces innovation in its genre, offering a fresh take on interactive storytelling. It has moments of engagement and intrigue but ultimately falls short of greatness. It manages to provide an adventure, but the absence of meaningful consequences for failure may leave some longing for the higher stakes found in other adventures. It's a commendable effort that leaves room for improvement.

[Ja · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Destiny Quest series is akin to a tabletop RPG where you choose a character, fight enemies using a dice roll system, gain equipment and materials, and make choices. It's broken up into three acts, each with a map that allows you to choose quests of increasing difficulty in order to get stronger. While interesting at first, I did find the battles to be extremely tedious. Having to keep track of everything on paper just wasn't working for me, and had to resort to a spreadsheet, but even then I was doing too much per battle. Perhaps if I simply had more time and desire to really sit down with this and play it, I might have enjoyed it more. But in this particular case, I either would prefer to play a tabletop RPG with other people, or to simply digitize everything here to make the battling more efficient. But then I would just be playing a video game.

I'll be honest, after the first half of the first act, I gave up on the actual battle mechanics. I kept reading assuming I was winning, since losing meant just starting over again anyway.

The actual story was entertaining, but I will say that the pacing was a little off in the second act. After a big event catapaults you into the second part of the book, you're back to doing sidequests, when as a character it would make more sense to gather information in order to move on. The sidequests were simply ways to gain skills and equipment, which felt like it didn't match with the character's intended direction. Things pick back up in the third act with the culmination of the story. It's exciting and has lots of cool battles, though I can't say the story is really anything deeper than saving the world from a great evil.

I realize that RPG books just aren't for me, even though I would love to play the next cool JRPG video game.

[Jack Ngan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no qualms with the story, it is well written and entertaining at most. But the meat of the book, which is its solo RPG nature, is severely imbalanced. Act 1 is mostly good, enemies are manageable with the equipments/items you acquire. But once you reach the following Act, all enemies even the basic ones have ridiculous stats and special skills that either negate your own special skills or make you loose health every turn ignoring armor or reduce your speed which effectively makes you loose every combat turn because this game is highly biased towards the SPEED stat. It breaks immersion when you have to exit the quest to look for an easier one, but then end up getting stuck in another more difficult quest (which is the frequent result). And you cannot even mitigate your low stats because the only way to increase them is by getting good equipment/items, which are mostly quest rewards, see the irony? And the quality of items are mediocre most of the time that only the names change but the stats they add are the same with what you already have. It's like this game book has never been play-tested to balance out the enemy difficulty vs equipment/item you gain. Unless you intentionally cheat or house-rule some stuff, there's no way you'll enjoy this game book even though you are given unlimited attempts to defeat a foe (and the randomness of die rolls adds to the frustration). If you are defeated, the only option is to repeat the combat or choose another quest. Equipments you gain are not that rewarding, which is quite a disappointment considering that it is the main selling point of this book. I am hoping the next books in this series (which I already bought) do not disappoint as much as the first book.

[Mario · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this (and I already have the second book anyway), but it took me forever to finish (looking back, it was over a year? Jeez). I found the combat excessive and tedious, it was easier to just skip the rolling and assume I succeeded than roll and roll and slowly find out, especially since the penalty for losing (until the last few missions) was basically to just do it over again anyway. If I'm just going to roll until I win, I might as well just declare myself a winner and move on. I also thought there were just too many abilities and too few puzzles for my taste. I really liked being able to customize my character, although even there it would have been nice to have an equipment glossary like the skill one.

I'll keep trying, maybe I'll like the second one better. But I am going to have to try to keep track of everything on a spreadsheet, because the paper system was way too hard. I'll probably find a way of automating the dice rolling too, to make the combat a little easier. Of course, at that point I'll be essentially back to playing video games.

[Steven Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Destiny Quest is a great evolution of the gamebook format. It takes inspiration from much older gamebooks series like Fighting Fantasy and Lone Wolf as well as modern RPG video games.

I think the biggest strength and unique mechanic in the book is the items and their assocaited abilities. In most gamebooks combat is usually a simple dice roll, largely left up to luck however the abilties that you can acquire in Destiny Quest allows a more tactical element to each combat encouter.

Legion of Shadows is over 1000 sections long and spread over three Acts, each having a semi-open world feel to them. It has enough content to be 3 separate gamebooks.

Great fun, great value and the series gets better with each new book.

[Jordan Baker]

Did not finish. Not because I didn’t want to, but because it’s been months and I haven’t picked it back off. Cool concept, but something that I just don’t have time for right now, and more complicated than the types of game books I’ve played in the past.

[Dave Cronin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great concept will be fun to undertake the sequels. The story was a bit slow at times to make room for game play.

[Arthur B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Impressively ambitious, but let down by some poor design choices. Full review: https://refereeingandreflection.wordp...

[Pj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stuff!

[Brandon De Horta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish their was more of a main quest. It was hard to balance between wanting to do all the quest and just pushing the story further. Also combat started to get a lil tedious, ended up just skipping it, but still writing my equipment down Incase I ever do a lil pvp. :)

[Book Wyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first got Destiny Quest my mind was blown. Not only does the book give you a feeling of an open world with optional quests, but also character customization with equipment. This book/series is fantastic for anyone new to the style or people who are masters of the art of playing CYOA books.
DestinyQuest is not only a homage to FF but to D&D and WoW.


SIDE NOTE
My nephew even loves the book which is mental as he doesn't like books at all.


Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUdSD...

Book Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pryhY...

[Rameen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline was Ok but I don't really like books in which you choose what the hero does. If you like those books and book in which you kind of play a game too, you might like this.