Fantastic Fights

By Haunted PhonographLeisure Games

Fantastic Fights episodes

December 15, 2021 Episode 20 - Sword of the Samurai
HJDoom tries, and fails to conquer yet another Fighting Fantasy book. There's also an update about the adventure gamebook I have been writing for the last several months.
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November 23, 2021 Bonus Episode - Flight From the Dark
This episode is very excting for me as I delve into a series that I don't know as well as I would like, the Lone Wolf series by Joe Dever and Gary Chalk. Literally several people have asked me when I'll get around to covering these books and, for them, the wait is over. If you like what you hear then consider supporting the podcast at www.patreon.com/hjdoom. All my patrons will be receiving an adventure gamebook at Christmas penned by my own fair hand.
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November 08, 2021 Episode 19 - Demons of the Deep
Things take a soggy turn as HJDoom bravely dives into an undersea Fighting Fantasy book written by the American rather than the British Steve Jackson. His last book for Fighting Fantasy was more interesting than good so can he manage to nail the tone on his sophomore outing? Listen in to find out. Demons of the Deep was published in 1986 by Puffin Books with internal art by Bob Harvey and a cover illustration by Les Edwards. I also provide an update on the adventure game book I’m writing which will be sent out to my patrons at Christmas. You can join their ranks by going to www.patreon.com/hjdoom and pledging as little as 1 English pound.
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October 08, 2021 Episode 18 - Rebel Planet
Rebel Planet by Robin Waterfield is another attempt to tackle a science fiction setting. That's not been something with a storied history in Fighting Fantasy but perhaps a fresh pen will lead to a better outcome than previous attempts. It's got all the pieces, an evil alien empire, a desperate race against time, spy stuff, laser swords, and more but can the author assemble them into a satisfying jigsaw? Rebel Planet was published by Puffin books in 1985 with illustrations by Gary Mayes and cover art by Alan Craddock. If you're enjoying my nonsense and want an adventure gamebook penned by my own fair hand then you can do so by going to patreon.com/hjdoom and pledging as little as a single English pound.
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September 27, 2021 Bonus Episode - Steeleye And the Lost Magic
It’s bonus episode time again as HJDoom tries an adventure gamebook where finding the correct solution could have won you a holiday to a Disney theme park. Steeleye and the Lost Magic is weird combination of choose your own adventure and crossword puzzle as you fumble around a surreally fantastic world in search of the clues that will unlock the secrets of the magic which can save a mystical valley. Will our intrepid hero manage to solve puzzles aimed at the under 12s or will this be yet another humiliation for a grown who is already spending his free time embarassing himself in public? This episode was made possible by my generous supporters at patreon.com/hjdoom.
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September 08, 2021 Episode 17 - Appointment with F.E.A.R.
New ground broken yet again in the Fighting Fantasy series as we don our very silliest clothes and commit a variety of crimes against people and property with the enthusiastic support of the local police department. HJDoom plays through this classic Fighting Fantasy book with a distinct lack of enthusiasm for the basic premise. Will he succeed despite his disdain for superheros as a cultural phenomenon? Listen along to find out. There’s also some exciting patron news about a forthcoming project. Appointment with F.E.A.R. was written by Steve Jackson and published in 1985 by Puffin Books
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August 09, 2021 Episode 16 - Seas of Blood
Hot on the heels of our last bonus episode comes this playthrough of the pirate themed adventure gamebook Seas of Blood by Andrew Chapman. Join HJDoom for a desperate race against the clock and also another pirate as we rob and pillage our way round the Inland Sea. Ships will fight ships! Ships will fight monsters! Excitement and adventure of all kinds will be had! With plenty of new systems to chew on there’s a lot going on in this adventure gamebook but will our less than intrepid hero by crowned King of the Pirates? Listen along to find out.
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July 30, 2021 Bonus Episode - The Curse of Frankenstein
It’s another bonus episode featuring the work of JH Brennan, author of the Grailquest book we covered in our last bonus episode. This time he’s taking on gothic horror in the form of an ambitious adventure gamebook that you can play either as Baron Frankenstein or his monstrous creation. There’s big ideas everywhere in this one but can he manage to stick the landing and maintain an appropriately gothic tone? Find out by listening! Special thanks to a new patron, Saul Alexander. You can be like him by going to patreon.com/hjdoom and pledging as little as a single english pound.
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July 09, 2021 Episode 15 - The Rings of Kether
Worry abounds as episode 15 takes us into space, the natural home of terrible Fighting Fantasy boos. Worse still, this book is by Andrew Chapman who penned the surreally awful Space Assassin. Is this the book that proves Fighting Fantasy in space can work? The answer is basically yes! But don't just take my word for it, listen to the episde too or I've wasted even more of my life than usual.
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June 09, 2021 Episode 14 - Temple of Terror
Join HJDoom for this playthough of 1985's Temple of Terror by Ian Livingstone as he returns to his comfort zone of rock hard dungeons and beautifully realised wilderness encounters. Will our dauntless hero succeed in finding the five dragon artefacts necessary to thwart a genocidal wizard? Will he even make it alive to the temple portion of the terror? Listen along to find out.
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