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A review by tiggum
Flight from the Dark by Gary Chalk, Joe Dever
4.0
I loved this series as a child and I still do. I used to read it (and the others of the series that I had) over and over and over. I couldn't even guess how many times. I read it this most recent time as a let's play on Something Awful, which made it more fun (games are more fun with other people - who knew?) and there's a heavy dose of nostalgia, but I think it does still hold up pretty well. The series as a whole suffers from a lot of issues, but this is a really strong start and I'd still recommend it. More for kids than adults, but if you can get into the right frame of mind it's still fun as an adult too.
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The collector's edition is an extended version. From what I've seen, that central section of this book seems to actually clean up the paths a little compared with the original, and allows you to hit more of the content in a single run, while still giving you meaningful options to allow for several distinct playthroughs. It's pretty good. So it's kind of a shame that the first (monastery) section is so linear and ultimately pointless. The Holmgard section also seems a little tacked on - possibly added as a response to complaints about the ending of the original book having you win just by following your guide and giving you no reason (or much opportunity) to explore the city. But honestly, you shouldn't have any reason to explore the city at that point. If I were "fixing" the original book, I'd just get rid of the few choices you can make in Holmgard and have you go straight to the final section as soon as you get past the highway, graveyard or river.
I'd been warned about that final "boss fight" before I started, and I've got to say I was pleasantly surprised. The combat's far from my favourite part of these books, but as far as fights go that one wasn't too bad. I did have decent stats, but hadn't gone for a full-on tank build (so to speak), so by the standards of the series it's not too bad at all.
I was disappointed that the Iron Pearl Broadsword never came into play, but on the other hand it would have been kind of bullshit to have it suddenly be relevant without hinting at that any earlier in the book. It could at least have had the same +1 CS bonus the other weapons you pick up in the monastery have and been magical enough to kill a Helghast, thus making that final fight a little easier. Otherwise it just seems kind of pointless that it exists at all.
---
The collector's edition is an extended version. From what I've seen, that central section of this book seems to actually clean up the paths a little compared with the original, and allows you to hit more of the content in a single run, while still giving you meaningful options to allow for several distinct playthroughs. It's pretty good. So it's kind of a shame that the first (monastery) section is so linear and ultimately pointless. The Holmgard section also seems a little tacked on - possibly added as a response to complaints about the ending of the original book having you win just by following your guide and giving you no reason (or much opportunity) to explore the city. But honestly, you shouldn't have any reason to explore the city at that point. If I were "fixing" the original book, I'd just get rid of the few choices you can make in Holmgard and have you go straight to the final section as soon as you get past the highway, graveyard or river.
I'd been warned about that final "boss fight" before I started, and I've got to say I was pleasantly surprised. The combat's far from my favourite part of these books, but as far as fights go that one wasn't too bad. I did have decent stats, but hadn't gone for a full-on tank build (so to speak), so by the standards of the series it's not too bad at all.
I was disappointed that the Iron Pearl Broadsword never came into play, but on the other hand it would have been kind of bullshit to have it suddenly be relevant without hinting at that any earlier in the book. It could at least have had the same +1 CS bonus the other weapons you pick up in the monastery have and been magical enough to kill a Helghast, thus making that final fight a little easier. Otherwise it just seems kind of pointless that it exists at all.