Scorpion Swamp - Fighting Fantasy Steve Jackson

Scorpion Swamp

Fighting Fantasy Gamebook #8

Written by Steve Jackson (US Game Designer not Steve Jackson who with Ian Livingstone started the Fighting Fantasy line.)

Puffin Books, third cover style (Dragon Banner) printed 1987

This is an interactive game book where the reader assumes the role of the hero and must make decisions, fight monsters (using dice rolls) and puzzle their way through passages to reach the end. Scorpion Swamp was the first book in the series to be written by an external author. It also deviates a little system wise from previous books (ignoring the science fiction Starship Traveller), retaining the basic core system but introducing magic and the ability to retrace steps in a slightly different way to previous books.

The cover and interior art by Duncan Smith. Scorpion Swamp was a favourite for many FF book fans.

The adventure sheet has not been written on. Book is like new. I honestly think it has not been played, or has seen very little play. Cover shelfwear is almost indiscernible and page edge darkening minimal. Pages all present, clean and solidly fixed in binding.

Fighting Fantasy were probably the most popular gamebooks on the heyday of gamebooks era (1982 to about 1991). Quite collectible, fun to play and also useful to get children to read. Bargain start price if one compares to what other sellers are asking.