Item - The Wizard from Tarnath Tor

Number 6 in the GA gamebook app series left me a bit nonplussed. For a start, it is far too short and, even by forcing myself down every possible route, there still isn't really much to it when you map it out. Secondly, this plays out far more like a Choose Your Own Adventure-style interactive narrative book than a RPG-style gamebook as much of it just involves decision-making and very little is affected by dice-rolling compared to other GA apps in the series. Indeed, the biggest criticism to level against this one is that, due to my second point, it is simply far too easy. Ridiculously easy, in fact. The plot itself also seems rather uninspiring as you are rescued by a wizard who employs you to retrieve his wizarding tools from the lost city of Tarnath Tor. Presumably, no-one had ever tried finding Tarnath Tor as you stumble across it in relatively few moves and you cannot avoid finding it! The city itself does have a nicely over-bearing sense of mystery to it, but it does not take you long to uncover the truth about what really happened and, overall, you really do not feel like you've got out of first gear in achieving any of it. The most inspired moment is probably when you tangle with an Alchemist as this part does seem like it should become difficult, although it never really does (and I'd suggest the author checks the meaning of Alchemist!) Even the weird crystalline wizard's world-within-a-world episode is easy and the sense of awe it ought to create is dampened by how easy it will have been to reach it and then get through it. The one big plus of this app, though, is its black and white art which is beautifully put together and far outstrips the text in attempting to present the "lost" world of Tarnath Tor. This certainly isn't a bad gamebook and it is not boring at all, it's just over before it starts and you could beat it with your eyes closed.

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