Surrealistic, a new gamebook series from Zipp

[Zipp]

Hey everyone. After finishing the first section of Silencer, I lost steam on the project. There were a number of reasons. While the overal plot was good, with many twists and turns and strong characters, I felt it was too linear. Also, the complexity of the rules took away, I felt, from the enjoyability of the project. I'm looking to do a rewrite eventually, but in the meantime I wanted to try something new, decidedly less complicated in both plot and gameplay (at least for the player, it never seems to be easier for the writer).

So, I give you Surrealistic.

In this series, you play a number of different characters all stuck in the city of Ethaniel Grove. The people of Ethaniel Grove are having some troubles. A mysterious fog has enclosed the city, and the inhabitants have gone insane. Aside from this, the dead have begun rising and are quite hungry. Monsters are running rampant. And you have one goal: survival.

The full plot will be given over the course of the series, as different characters experience different aspects of the plot. The first book has very little plot and focuses more on gameplay and scenario. I've also choosen to make it fairly non-linear. There are five drastically different endings, you can meet different characters each time, and the items themselves are randomized.

Anyways, when I was working on the Silencer Series, I found it very helpful to post the rules and get feedback on them. So I wanted to do the same thing here, and if people could give me positive or negative feedback I would be very thankful. So, here they are:

Rules
This is a story in which you are the main character. You will make the decisions that ensure either survival or doom.

You will notice that the book has sections instead of page numbers. Start the book at section one. At the end of each section you will be given choices with new section numbers. Make your choice and turn to this number, do not proceed through the book page by page.

In order to play you need this book, the cards and combat book that comes with it, and a place to keep track of your health, bullets, and any special items. Counters may be helpful for keeping track of bullets and life, but are not necessary. Keep your wits about you, and good luck.

Illustrated Sections
Some sections have illustrations with numbers. In this case, these numbers represent areas of interest. You can more closely examine these areas by turning to the corresponding section. Note that some numbers may be hidden in the drawing, you'll have to closely examine the illustration to find them.

Health
You start the game with 45 health points. As you proceed through the book, there will be times, especially during combat, when you are told to decrease this number by a certain amount of points. There will also be chances to restore lost points, generally through items. You may not increase your health beyond 50. If the number ever reaches 0, you are dead and must start your game over.

Cards
Included with the book are a number of cards. These represent the weapons, items, and ammunition you may receive.

During the course of the story, you will encounter sections where you are instructed to draw a card. You will be told whether it is a weapon card (and what type), an item, or ammunition. Draw a card at random from that group. This is what you receive. Thus, every time you read the book, you may carry different items. Be aware that it is possible to survive with any combination of cards. For more information on the types of cards, read the following sections.

Occasionally, you will be told to draw a specific card from the deck. In this case, simply take that card and do not draw at random.

Weapons
There are ten weapons. Four are labeled as light weapons, another four as heavy weapons, and two are special weapons. What you draw you keep. Each weapon card comes with it’s type, a short description, a certain amount of ammo (add this to your total ammunition), and a number printed on it that is used during combat.

Items
There are three different items, all healing in nature. When you draw an item, you keep it until it is used, than you return it to the deck:

Pain Killers- while taking damage, you can use any number of pain killers to reduce the damage. For each pain killer used, reduce the damage taken by 2. They can only be used in combat, and you get more than one with each card, up to 5 per card

Bandages- while not in combat, you can use a bandage to restore 5 points of health to your total. You can only use 1 bandage per section, and you get a maximum of 2 with each card.

First Aid Kit- while not in combat, you cn use a first aid kit to completely restore your health points. You will only recieve 1 with each card.

Beyond this, there may be special items found in the book. In this case, mark the item on a separate piece of paper. If it has any special effects you will be told of them when you receive the item. You may be asked if you are in possession of these items at a later time, or they may simply affect gameplay, or be red herrings of little real value to you and your survival.

Ammunition
When you draw an ammo card, mark the amount of ammunition received on a separate piece of paper and return the card to the deck. There are three types of ammunition: light, heavy, and special, each working with the same type of gun and no other type. Melee weapons, like knives, do not use ammunition.

Combat
There are many hostile creatures wandering around Ethaniel Grove. Occasionally when you encounter one, you will have the option of engaging it in combat. At this point, you will be given a number. Choose a weapon from your current arsenal. All weapon cards have a number on them. Add this to the number given in the book and turn to the corresponding section in the combat book.

Here, a description will be given of the combat. At the top of the section will be given how much ammo you spend. If you do not have enough ammo, you lose what you have and must now choose either a weapon you do have ammo for, attempt to run away, or spend life to make up the difference (each bullet = 3 life). At the bottom of the section will be given how much damage you take. If you run out of life, you are dead.

You can attempt to run away by not adding anything to the creature’s number and turning to the corresponding section in the combat book. Be aware that although you always have the option of attempting to escape, you will not always be successful, and you may end up taking damage or worse.

Occasionally, using certain weapons or attempting to run will result in a change of events. In this case, you will be given a new number to interact with or other options.

When combat is over, the combat book will provide a section number to turn to in the story book.

_{PS. I want to thank Sol and snfc in particular for their respective help in hosting and giving extensive feedback on the Silencer Series. And also everyone who responded to my topics on this site. Thanks everyone!}

[Relenoir]

Sounds pretty interesting Zipp, and a hell of a lot less complicated than Silencer. Reminds me quite a bit of 'Silent Hill' or 'Resident Evil' games. Keep at it!

[Moo]

(I hate having no free time during what's supposed to be summer "vacation")

Hm, if the combat section tells you the number of bullets you use, how is melee combat handled? Do you just always take extra damage when attempting melee combat (that would make sense)?

[Zipp]

Melee wouldn't spend bullets. If you use a melee weapon like the knife, chances are you're using it as a last resort, or because you think you can do better with it. It's situational combat, so there are times when the knife will do you fine and you'll reserve ammo. There may even be times when you'll do better with the knife, though not often.

Also, some melee weapons may be especially good, such as a chainsaw or katana.

Currently, there are 6 weapons (and the option to run away):

Combat Knife
Berreta
Single Action Army
Remington Shotgun
Sub Machine Gun
Rifle

[Moo]

Oh, I reread the combat part. So if, for example, you want to use a knife in combat A you'd turn to page X, if you wanted to use a shotgun you'd turn to page Y, and if you wanted to use a pistol you'd turn to page Z? That makes sense. Needs a little more writing on your part, but it would avoid the problem of very generic combat descriptions.

Don't forget to take into account that the Colt Peacemaker (Single Action Army) can only hold 5 shots safely.

"But what if you know you're going up against a man?"

"Well, if your insides tell you to load six, then you load six."

And have you considered allowing the player to choose a character to play, kinda? Maybe some horror movie stereotypes. Hope it's not a dumb idea. Shouldn't add much complexity, I don't think. Maybe something like...

The Teeny Bopper. Oh no! This is, like, the second worst thing that's, like, ever happened to you (the first being that time you threw up while performing in a school play, of course)! You have zero combat skills and couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from inside the barn. And that's assuming you could even bring yourself to touch a gun. Still, you were able to find plenty of first aid supplies, and have good people skills. You start with the maximum compliment of painkillers, bandages, and first aid kits, and any other survivors you meet might be more willing to help you than someone else.

The Survivalist. You _knew_ this day was coming. You've been preparing for it for years. Everyone thought your stockpiles of food, cached weaponry, and advanced combat training were paranoid, but look where they are now. Staggering around eating brains and moaning. You start out with excellent combat skills, a combat knife, a CZ-52 pistol with 90 rounds of ammo, an AR-15 (semi-auto only) and 300 rounds of ammo, and as much food as you can carry.

The Cop. Flesh-eating zombies and killer fog were _not_ in your job description. At least these guys can't shoot back like bank robbers can, though. You start out with moderate combat skills, a pocket knife, a 9mm Beretta with 46 rounds of ammo, a Mossberg shotgun with 15 rounds, and a bulletproof vest (half damage from everything).

The Average Joe. What can be said? You're normal. You start off with bad combat skills, a pocket knife, a .22 rifle with 50 rounds of ammo (uses light ammo), random first-aid supplies, and enough food for 3 days.

That's all I can think of right now.

[Zipp]

I wouldn't consider it for this book, for plot reasons, but it sounds like an excellent idea for later books. Thanks, Moo. I'll keep it in mind.

And good descriptions by the by, very enjoyable.

Weren't you working on your own gamebook series, too? How's that coming?

[Moo]

Thanks. I was also thinking it would be pretty cool to actually meet the characters you didn't pick at some point (kinda like the start of Arcanum, where all the characters you didn't play as are dead).

My project is going really, really slow. Right now I'm working on flowcharting out a short, 100 section or so gamebook about a bank heist, just as practice before trying the real thing. Especially since none of the people I usually consult for ideas have played SC2 yet, and I hate to ruin plots for people.