Graphic Novel Adventures is a collection of “Choose your own Adventure” graphic novels.
Each book has its own theme and ruleset.
The books are presented as comic books: the narration is sequenced in the form of drawings in small boxes. Apart from the introduction which is a classic comic, each vignette is numbered and corresponds to a situation – in some cases, a situation corresponds to a sequence of several thumbnails.
The path between vignettes can be done by means of text written in a recitative or possibly in a phylactery – the paratext mingling then with the word -, but the number of the next vignette to be read often appears in the drawing.
Captive Overview (Spoiler Free)
Only YOU can save her. This is the first one I tried after opting to try them in alphabetical order. The cover is spooky, as is the story, but it was an exciting thrill ride.
Tears of a Goddess (Spoiler Free)
Can you hunt down three criminals and help the village? No, no you won’t 🙂 This is the second book I tried after I find out they had a semi-official numerical order.
Loup Garou (Spoiler Free)
Book 3! Just… Keep… Running!…
Your Town
I don’t want this many rules from my choose-your-own adventure books… I gave this one a miss.
Sherlock Holmes (Spoiler Free)
4 stories in one book that can be played from 2 slightly different viewpoints.
Graphic Novel Adventures Summary
So this is a pretty fun system. The story is great and the additional rules make it more than just a game that says “Now turn to page 31”. It reminds me of Legacy of Dragonholt in this way. Stats, time, inventory… All the important things that help the story.
There is replayability. (Except Sherlock Holmes?) The story referenced items I hadn’t seen. Obviously, I was aware I hadn’t visited every single page in the book so I know there is more to explore. I DO want to go back and explore though.
It does mean a LOT of flipping back and forth through the pages which I dislike, but that’s what these games are about right? 🙂
Each of the books not only plays differently but also has a different look which is cool.
The sheet you write on in the book is available to download from the website so you don’t need to write in the book. In fact, there are cool bookmarks and more available to download from Van Ryder Games.
Jesta ThaRogue