Somorra: City of Lies

Are you also wondering how a gamebook that doesn't require a single dice roll or combat encounter can be one of the best releases of the year? The only way to answer that is with another question: what actually makes a game story high-quality?

Personally, I see four fundamental pillars: story originality, atmosphere, gameplay, and the sophistication of the game mechanics. I have to say that Somorra: City of Lies absolutely nails all of the above. It’s no surprise, really—the Sussner brothers already made a name for themselves in the Czech gamebook underground with their debut, Měsíční oheň, which received very positive feedback.

So, what makes Somorra so original if you don't even need dice? Let’s break it down.

Story Originality

Somorra pulls you into the city's underworld, where the protagonist—a nameless policewoman—is framed for corruption. She did her job too honestly, and now she has to pay the price. You could say the story feels a lot like the Max Payne game series, just without the macho muscles and gunfights. Sometimes, you just can't solve every problem by shooting everyone in sight.

To make matters worse, the protagonist's reward for her honesty is the drug Somorin. Once it hits your veins, it causes instant addiction, forcing you to navigate between the real world and a state of total drug-induced delirium. We’ll dive deeper into that when we talk about the gameplay.

In terms of originality, I haven't encountered a gamebook quite like this, though I should note that I usually lean toward classic gamebooks, so titles like Okrsek or Město zločinu are still sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. My comparison might be a bit limited because of that.

Grim Atmosphere

One word fits here: "grim," in the most refined sense of the word. What else would you expect from a city crawling with corruption, drugs, and shady characters? Plus, the feeling of being high and the constant need to hunt for the "cure" to your addiction doesn't exactly lift your spirits. The atmosphere is fleshed out by stories about the city's history, its various districts, and the main characters. Imagine the worst parts of Gotham City. If you don't know what that means, may mercy be upon your soul.

Some experts might compare it to the legendary gamebook Find Your Fate from the Fighting Fantasy series. To that, I have to raise a warning finger: "Not a chance." Find Your Fate leans heavily into classic comic book tropes, whereas Somorra is urban filth at its finest.

The dark atmosphere is bolstered by stark illustrations, which you won't find many of in the book. And while I’m usually a fan of great graphics, I have to admit that the lack of them here isn't a drawback at all. Don't mistake graphic minimalism for a lack of skill, though. The few illustrations that are there perfectly capture the mood. Just look at that "no joke" cover.

Gameplay and Mechanics

No dice, no combat = boring? Not even close. The game mechanics in Somorra are set to a very simple level—you could call it "beginner-friendly"—but everything is worked out to the last detail. Throughout the story, you receive various coded references that dictate how the plot unfolds. You won't get anywhere without the right codes, and some passwords are hidden under different references within the story structure.

Some readers compare this gamebook to the Choose Your Own Adventure series. I disagree. You definitely won't get anywhere without your logbook, but you don't need luck for combat or other situations that arise. You simply search for clues and codes that move you forward, all while hunting for a substance called Gondorin to help you survive the effects of the drug.

The drug-induced delirium, during which you solve a series of logic puzzles, is a core part of the gameplay. If you fail to solve the puzzles, the story ends permanently. The overall gameplay is also influenced by several phases where you move between parts of the city, gather information, and race against the clock. You need to be very prudent with your decisions. This is reflected in your final score, which tallies points for different levels and instances of cheating. Yes, you can cheat, but it costs a lot of final points and, unfortunately, is sometimes useless.

The question arises: can you beat the gamebook on your first try, or is the difficulty high? Well, I have to say it’s definitely not an easy gamebook. At first, if you act somewhat logically, death won't catch you easily, but as you get further, the information flow becomes increasingly interconnected and difficult. I didn't manage to finish it even on my third attempt, but that shouldn't discourage an experienced player. To top it off, the branching storylines offer a very diverse experience.

Even though I was skeptical about the simplicity of the rules at first, I had to admit I was wrong. This is no walk in the park. That’s just Somorra for you—you’ll find out for yourself.

Final Verdict?

I can highly recommend Somorra; it really is a unique phenomenon. Plus, thanks to the simple rules, it’s great for absolute beginners, as long as they aren't put off by the challenging gameplay.

Last year, a sequel to Somorra was released (Somorra – Stadt der Träume), which we hope will be published here soon, so we have something to look forward to.

author: Ondřej Kovář

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