FF4: Creature of Havoc

Here we enter classic Fighting Fantasy; Creature of Havoc. This is the fourth book in the successful Fighting Fantasy gamebook series, this time written entirely by Steve Jackson. It is set in the most popular medieval-style gamebook setting of Allansia where unusually, you play the part of a monstrous beast.

Book Description: Evil is festering in Trolltooth Pass. The necromancer Zharradan Marr is close to stealing the secrets of Elven magic which would make him invincible. Nothing could then prevent his legions of Chaos from taking over the whole of Allansia …

But what do you know or care about all this? In this unique adventure, YOU are the Creature of Havoc, a monstrous beast with a taste for fighting. Ruled only by hunger and rage, you have no knowledge of your past or destiny. If you survive, you may begin to control your bestial nature and learn your true purpose, but success is by no means certain, for the traps and terrors of Trolltooth Pass are many...

The big enemy in this adventure is one of the three magic users educated by Volgera Darkstorm, Zharradan Marr. After Dasa Weaseltongue lets slip the secret of the Vapours of Stittle Woad, Zharradan Marr decides that the time has come to utilise these to his own advantage. Using his flying ship, 'the Galleykeep', Marr is attempting to seek out Stittle Woad from the air as the village of the Wood Elves is hidden from those travelling through the Forest of Spiders. It is essential that the wood elves are warned in time, but suspicion of the messengers may puts paid to that approach. Perhaps you, a creature that initially reacts on instincts, can save the day.

As the Creature of Havoc, your knowledge is non-existent at first. Your early reactions are determined by the luck of the dice, and only as you get further into your adventure will you get to choose your own way. There is no doubt though that this will often lead you into many death traps, as the way is fraught with danger. If you make a mistake, it is usually your last one! As you learn about who you are and where you came from the adventure starts to take shape. This development keeps you interested all the way through, and the myriad of routes that are presents makes for an exciting adventure.

Apart from the unusual fact that you play a beast in this adventure, you'll also discover that you are an extremely powerful one that can beat seemingly unbeatable opponents via fortunate dice rolling. You are armed with the deathblow, where if you roll a double for your attack strength in combat you succeed in hitting a pressure point and win the battle instantly.

Creature of Havoc is an essential part of anyone's Fighting Fantasy collection and includes a 30-page description at the start of the book that adds a real insight into the workings of Allansia and the story behind the book. There are also 460 paragraphs in the book, most of which are very long for Fighting Fantasy books making for a long adventure both in places to explore and actual written length.

About the Author: Steve Jackson

Cover:
Les Edwards

Illustrations:
Alan Langford

Polls: Rate the Books Difficulty