Summary

• Release Year: 1984
• Genres: Role-playing game (RPG)
• Platforms: ZX Spectrum
• Developers: Five Ways Software
• Publishers: Arrow Publications

Lone Wolf: Fire on the Water (1984)

Lone Wolf: Fire on the Water is a single-player interactive fiction gamebook written by Joe Dever and published by Puffin Books in 1984. It is the second book in the Lone Wolf series and is an adaptation of Dever’s second Lone Wolf gamebook, also titled Fire on the Water.

The player takes on the role of Lone Wolf, a skilled warrior and the last of the Kai Lords. Lone Wolf is on a quest to find the missing Crown of Kings, which has been stolen by the evil sorcerer, Zagarna.

Lone Wolf: Fire on the Water is a challenging and immersive gamebook that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The gamebook features a complex and engaging story, with multiple paths and endings. The player’s choices will determine the outcome of the game, so it is important to choose wisely.

The gamebook is also notable for its innovative combat system. Unlike many other gamebooks, which use a simple dice-rolling system to resolve combat, Lone Wolf: Fire on the Water uses a more complex system that takes into account the player’s skills, weapons, and armor. This makes combat more challenging and strategic, and it adds to the overall realism of the game.

Gameplay

Lone Wolf: Fire on the Water is played using a pencil and paper. The player reads the story and makes choices about what Lone Wolf will do next. The player’s choices will determine the outcome of the game.

The gamebook is divided into sections, each of which represents a different location or event. Each section is filled with text and illustrations that describe the setting and the events that are taking place. The player reads the text and makes choices about what Lone Wolf will do next.

The player’s choices will determine which section they go to next. The gamebook is non-linear, meaning that the player can choose to go to different sections in any order. However, some sections can only be accessed if the player has made certain choices earlier in the game.

Combat

Combat in Lone Wolf: Fire on the Water is resolved using a complex system that takes into account the player’s skills, weapons, and armor. The player rolls two dice to determine the outcome of combat. The player’s skills, weapons, and armor will give them bonuses or penalties to their dice rolls.

The combat system is designed to be challenging and strategic. The player must carefully consider their choices in order to defeat their enemies.

Setting

Lone Wolf: Fire on the Water is set in the world of Magnamund, a world of magic and adventure. The gamebook takes place in the coastal region of Sommerlund, which is being terrorized by the evil sorcerer, Zagarna.

Zagarna has stolen the Crown of Kings, a powerful artifact that can be used to control the weather. Lone Wolf must travel to Sommerlund and defeat Zagarna in order to retrieve the Crown and save the kingdom.

Characters

The player character in Lone Wolf: Fire on the Water is Lone Wolf, a skilled warrior and the last of the Kai Lords. Lone Wolf is a powerful and determined warrior, but he is also compassionate and just.

Lone Wolf is joined on his quest by a group of companions, including the dwarf Gwydion, the elf Banedon, and the thief Yelena. Each of Lone Wolf’s companions has their own unique skills and abilities, and they will be invaluable to him on his quest.

Reception

Lone Wolf: Fire on the Water was a critical and commercial success. The gamebook was praised for its complex and engaging story, its innovative combat system, and its beautiful illustrations. Lone Wolf: Fire on the Water is considered to be one of the best gamebooks ever written, and it continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

Legacy

Lone Wolf: Fire on the Water is one of the most influential gamebooks ever written. The gamebook helped to popularize the interactive fiction genre, and it inspired a number of other gamebooks and video games.

The Lone Wolf series has sold over 10 million copies worldwide, and it has been translated into over 30 languages. The series has also been adapted into a number of other media, including comic books, video games, and a television series.

Conclusion

Lone Wolf: Fire on the Water is a classic gamebook that is still enjoyed by fans around the world. The gamebook is a challenging and immersive experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you are a fan of interactive fiction, then you owe it to yourself to check out Lone Wolf: Fire on the Water.

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

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