Paulsonova pevnost Gamebook Review

When I spotted Paulsonova pevnost in the imago gamebook selection, promising an escape-room-style experience, I was instantly intrigued. I love puzzles, hunting for clues, and detective stories.

Although I was initially worried that the puzzles might be too difficult or the clues too obscure, my fears quickly vanished. The tension built up beautifully, and the story gripped me so thoroughly that I couldn't stop playing until I finished the book. I only got stuck twice. Once, I missed a clue in an illustration. The other time was my own fault for forgetting to update a room's reference number. If you aren't blessed with eagle eyes, I definitely recommend a magnifying glass. The book is small, so the clues in the illustrations can be tiny.

A gamebook not just for urbexers and detectives

Paulsonova pevnost offers a unique gaming experience with elements of detective investigation and escape rooms that pull you into the mysterious estate of a deceased scientist and deliver a solid dose of suspense.

You don't need to worry about overly difficult tasks, either. The book is designed for mystery lovers who might struggle with puzzles, offering a helpful hint system.

This gamebook is often called a masterpiece—thanks to its exceptional balance, easy-to-understand rules, and innovative mechanics. Instead of tracking health points or fighting battles, it gives you a floor plan and challenges you to explore the mysterious fortress.

The gamebook was written by Jörg Benne, a well-known author of game literature and the equally impressive sci-fi gamebook Verax: Experiment, published by Mytago back in 2020. The atmospheric illustrations by David Staege don't just accompany the story; they often hide clues that help you progress.

The story of a mysterious scientist

The story is set in the real world of the 1990s, blending occult elements with the scientific world of the 60s, complete with retro tech like old phones and punch cards. You enter Paulsonova pevnost as an enthusiastic urbexer and friend of Sid, the curator of the Henry Paulson Foundation, to help him investigate the cause of an unexplained power surge.

Behind this seemingly mundane task lies a story full of occultism and secrets surrounding the talented scientist Paulson. Why did this once-successful man lock himself away in his fortress?

Game mechanics and gameplay

As mentioned, Paulsonova pevnost differs from classic gamebooks with its innovative mechanics. Instead of traditional dice rolls, health tracking, and combat systems, you focus on exploring individual rooms based on a numbered floor plan.

You have the freedom to choose where to go and in what order to explore, and you can revisit rooms, creating an escape-room atmosphere. You gradually unlock new parts of the house. The status system and changing room numbers allow you to track your progress and build upon previous actions.

The book contains many clever puzzles and challenges that require wit and attention. David Staege's illustrations add another dimension; some clues are hidden in the details of the room layouts and furniture.

The evaluation at the end of the book continues the unconventional theme, ranking your skills on an urbexer scale. I earned the title of "Snoop." 😎

What to watch out for? You must carefully record status changes in the table and track the changing room numbers, otherwise, it's easy to get lost and hard to backtrack. If you stay on top of that, the gamebook guides you smoothly and logically. The tension rises with every revelation, pulling you deeper into the story as you travel through rooms, piece together the mystery, and witness terrifying scenes from the past…

Sometimes the book even takes control for a while. It's a strange feeling not to have the story in your own hands for a moment. In the end, you'll spend the whole afternoon with the gamebook, just like I did, without even realizing it… and the next morning, you'll go back for more!

Will the puzzles be too hard?

Not exactly Sherlock Holmes or a master of riddles? No problem!

The gamebook is designed for those who aren't escape-room or gamebook specialists. Paulsonova pevnost is welcoming even to those who don't usually enjoy escape rooms or logic puzzles. Throughout the story, you are accompanied by your partner Sid, who gives you hints and moves you forward whenever you get stuck. Sid is the caretaker of the Paulson estate and wants to solve the power mystery perhaps even more than you do. I used the hint system twice, and I have to praise Sid. He points you in the right direction, shows you what a puzzle might relate to, or reminds you of something important you might have missed.

The puzzles are cleverly designed to test your attention and deduction without causing frustration. If you get stuck, Sid gives you a helping hand—no need to Google anything. The atmosphere remains tense but accessible. In short, it's an adventure without dead ends. Almost!

Watch out for clues in the pictures. Yes, I have to admit I got stuck once and couldn't move forward. I eventually realized I had been overlooking a clue in an illustration the whole time. I would recommend that all readers who don't have perfect vision get a magnifying glass. Given the book's format, some illustrations can be quite tiny.

Conclusion

Paulsonova pevnost promises a unique reading experience. It isn't a classic gamebook, but it is definitely a full-fledged interactive adventure with a well-thought-out structure, fun puzzles, and a gripping narrative. Whether you're drawn to the occult atmosphere, love searching through dusty rooms like a proper urbex detective, or just want to try something other than the classic "roll the dice and see," this will hook you.

Thanks to its simple rules and accessibility—for both experienced players and newcomers (with the hint system)—combined with perfect gameplay, Paulsonova pevnost will literally consume you. And it won't let go easily.

Author: Pavla Žižková