TOP gamebooks of 2025

The year 2025 has once again confirmed that gamebooks are not just a nostalgic memory of the nineties, but a modern and increasingly popular way to experience an adventure firsthand. Here at imago, we have seen unprecedented interest this year in both time-tested classics and new releases with innovative game systems that push the boundaries of the genre. Whether you prefer elaborate RPG systems with dice in hand or are looking for faster-paced stories where your intuition is all you need, you are sure to find something in this overview of top gamebooks.

We will take a look at the best titles that have dominated our bookshelves over the past year. You will find legendary expeditions to Magnamund, chilling horror inspired by Lovecraft, and a unique open-world concept that lets you travel across entire continents.

Let's dive together into the list of titles that defined the genre in 2025 and found their way into the hands of many fantasy and adventure fans.

If you are seeing the word gamebook for the first time, try reading our article What is a gamebook? first.

Lone Wolf Series

The lone knight of the Kai order and his stories are clearly among the most popular gamebooks on the market. Our publishing house Mytago has reached the 21st volume in the series, and the 22nd volume, The Buccaneers of Shadaki, is planned for 2026.

Furthermore, we continue to release definitive editions of the original volumes. These definitive editions contain numerous corrections and improvements and are often expanded with a good dose of new entries.

Fighting Fantasy Series

The famous Fighting Fantasy series is on par with Lone Wolf. After all, it is one of the first series that made us know and love gamebooks today. Each volume is a standalone story, so it doesn't matter which one you start with. The most popular is the very first volume, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, followed by House of Hell and The Gates of Death.

The latest published book is Secrets of Salamonis, which was created by two gamebook legends, Steve Jackson and Jonathan Green.

Dracula: Curse of the Vampire

Step into the roles of iconic characters like Jonathan Harker or Count Dracula in this unconventional adaptation of the classic story. Dracula is a staple, a very popular book that has surpassed practically all fantasy classics. A well-known story in a modern take, crafted as an extensive gamebook with 1000 entries.

Fabled Lands

The unique concept of an open fantasy world has appealed to many fans of the genre and propelled the first volume of the Fabled Lands series to the top of the gamebook charts. Building a party and developing your character add another dimension to the game, allowing the player to fully immerse themselves in the story. Currently, the first two volumes out of six are available in Czech.

Vítek, křupadlo a kostižrout

This surprisingly extensive piece will also appeal to younger players/readers. Vítek's holiday adventures at his grandmother's house are full of twists, riddles, and ciphers, and only you decide how it all ends. It even offers 65 different endings! This adventure for children by Petula Bendula is also complemented by beautiful illustrations by Přemek Ponáhlý. Also worth mentioning is the second book by the same author, Nejhorší den Vojty Drábka.

Gamebooks Full of Tentacles

The Cthulhu Mythos remains one of the most popular brands in fantasy. Simply put, we still enjoy it. Mytago is currently publishing two series. The first is Necronomicon. The series currently contains three books. While the gamebooks are shorter, you will get your fill of madness, despair, and squelching in boots full of fishy-smelling water.

The Choose Cthulhu series is similar. However, it simplifies the principles of gamebooks even further. It contains no RPG system and you don't even need a pencil to play. You just read and decide how badly the story ends. This makes it literally ideal "bathroom reading".

What else shouldn't you miss?

The following three pieces deserve at least a brief mention. Dračí Hlídka: Ztracené město Galadu is, as the name suggests, a gamebook from the world of the popular role-playing game Dračí hlídka.

The second such piece is the title Paulsonova pevnost. Why? Because it is an unconventional combination of a gamebook and an escape game. You can learn more about the gamebook in our review.

And finally, Norik cannot be missing! The gamebook O Norikovi is full of exaggeration and humor. A fantasy legend by the world-famous board game author Vladimír Chvátil.

There is really a lot to choose from, and we wish you a lucky hand in picking the next gamebook for your bookshelf. If you are interested in what's coming out this year from Mytago, check out the publishing plan for 2026.