Valley of Bones Review - Oliver Hulme's Original Fantasy World

A gamebook that offers a vast fantasy world, a huge degree of choice combined with classic RPG elements, and plenty of tension and twists. That is exactly how I would summarize the first installment of the gamebook series Fabled Lands.

I finally understand why I was told to play several different gamebooks and then compare them. This is my second gamebook, while the first was Ronin 47. Sure, besides the fact that Ronin 47 was sci-fi and Valley of Bones is fantasy, there are still plenty of differences in the mechanics themselves. So, if you have already tried a title and it didn't grab you, definitely don't give up and reach for other gamebooks.

Story and World

Valley of Bones introduces a harsh fantasy world where danger lurks around every corner and the decisions you make can mean the difference between life and death. I encountered moral choices here as well, but I found this gamebook much more sophisticated compared to Ronin 47.

You create your own party, where each character has their own traits that suit different situations. Throughout the story, you will often face situations where you must choose a specific member to send on a task. Choose wisely! However, the game gives you the option to expand your party later, so you don't have to worry if you don't pick someone right away.

The game world has sophisticated lore, and there is a detailed map right at the beginning of the gamebook. The author leaves players with plenty of options on which direction to head, ensuring you have entertainment for several evenings and definitely won't be bored.

Mechanics and Interactivity

There is no shortage of interaction and choice here either. Every decision has meaning and can lead to a new plot branch, different endings, and unexpected consequences. Not only combat but also strategy and character building have a huge space here. You can master various spells and special abilities that can influence your future choices.

I personally recommend creating so-called checkpoints, as the branching of the story is immense. You will make your progress easier if you write down the places you and your party have already visited.

Writing Style and Production

Oliver Hulme has a storytelling style that pulls you into the action. The story is readable, dynamic, and perfectly captures the atmosphere of a fantasy world. Hulme avoids unnecessarily long descriptions, yet manages to convey all the necessary details so the player can easily imagine the world. Besides combat-focused entries, the author often focuses on painting the atmosphere.

The book is also well-crafted in terms of visuals and translation, which ensures the reader doesn't miss any of the original elements. The graphic design underscores the dark tone of the book. Given the content, the gamebook is more suitable for older players.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Valley of Bones has many advantages that both experienced gamebook players and lovers of fantasy stories will appreciate. The main pros include story complexity, variety of decisions, and a detailed, well-crafted world. Party building and character development add another layer to the game, allowing the player to fully immerse themselves in the story.

On the other hand, the difficulty of the game and the potential need for checkpoints might be a hurdle for some and spoil the fun. Otherwise, I didn't encounter any major negatives while reading.

Final Impressions

This is definitely an exceptional gamebook that brings a brilliantly conceived world while forcing you to think about your decisions. Even though it can be more demanding to navigate and requires a certain amount of patience, it offers hours of quality entertainment. The title will certainly be appreciated by those looking for a game with more depth.

For connoisseurs, there are also advanced rules at the end. Since this is the first installment of the gamebook series, prepare for a campaign in an open fantasy world. Once Mytago publishing house releases the next parts, set off on an adventure across all six books of this series. You can explore the world of Fabled Lands however you like. Each book covers a specific geographical area, but you can travel between books without restrictions – just reach the edge of the local map and step into the unknown!

Author "Bunny" Dominika Mátyásiová