Comparing 5 Graphic Novel Adventures from Season One
Explore the different themes, stories, and mechanics included with season one of the Graphic Novel Adventures.
It may have taken me a few years to finally explore the initial gamebooks from the line of Graphic Novel Adventures, yet I did it! The past few weeks saw me play through them all. Some offered excellent experiences that I expect to return to down the line, while others weren’t quite my cup of tea. Read on to find out which adventures might be for you!
A Vast Array of Choices
The 5 gamebooks from season one are the following:
Some artists carry over between gamebooks, although each one offers up a very different adventure. Whether horror, mystery, or wild west fun, it’s all here!
How to know which is right for you? Comparison time!
Captive
Horror/Suspense
47%
Loup Garou
Action/Horror
53%
Sherlock
Crime/Mystery
60%
Tears
Action/Adventure
70%
Your Town
Action/Bookkeeping
41%
By the Numbers
Above are my own ratings for each gamebook. Strictly going by these values, it should be pretty clear which ones I liked more than others. However, it’s not just the rating.
I also classified each gamebook in a very general sense. Each one has its own pros and cons, though.
It’s always important to do plenty of research prior to making any board game purchases. At the same time, I know that feeling of needing everything right now!
If your preferences are similar to mine, perhaps you can stop right here. But who would I be without explanations?!
An Incompletionist
Many of us likely know the common term “completionist” as it applies to someone who has everything under the sun for a board game or series. I’m one of them sometimes!
In this case, the different selection of Graphic Novel Adventures almost encourages being the opposite…
Is an incompletionist an actual term? Probably not, yet this series benefits from a model of picking and choosing. You can figure out what you like without missing out.
Those who enjoy adventures might enjoy the full set, and I recommend it! But 1-2 gamebooks may be enough.
The Adventure of the Questionnaire
Although I have detailed reviews for every season one gamebook, it’s often difficult to distill all of that information down! So I’ll give this format a whirl based on some common questions I’ve read. These are designed to narrow down the possibilities and, hopefully, provide a fun way to find the adventure for you or someone you know!
Which Adventures are Suitable for a Young Audience?
Season one includes a fair number of gamebooks that lean more towards the mature. From this group, I would say that Loup Garou, Sherlock Holmes: Four Investigations, and Your Town have mostly appropriate content.
Which Adventures Feature the Most Content?
In terms of the actual number of panels, these vary from 236 in Tears of a Goddess to 341 in Your Town. Take that with a grain of salt, though. In terms of enjoyable content, I recommend Loup Garou and Tears of a Goddess.
Which Adventures Require the Least Time Investment?
Several options include detailed character sheets and plenty of bookkeeping. If you prefer to simply read and play through a gamebook, Captive and Sherlock Holmes: Four Investigations can be enjoyed with minimal notes.
Which Adventures are the Most Reusable?
By definition, gamebooks typically have a very finite lifespan. However, unique paths can be found in the majority of them. In particular, Captive, Tears of a Goddess, and Your Town have plenty of different ways to progress.
Which Adventures are the Best for Casual Gamebook Players?
Every gamebook is relatively easy to get into, yet some of the tracking elements might be intimidating to those who are new to the genre. Captive and Sherlock Holmes: Four Investigations are likely the easiest to start off with.
Which Adventures Have the Most Player Agency?
One of the downsides with the gamebook genre is the feeling of being forced down a particular path with few opportunities to choose from. Tears of a Goddess and Your Town give you the most power to decide your next move.
Which Adventures Include the Most Interesting Puzzles?
Hidden numbers and puzzles typically can be found throughout all of these gamebooks! Sometimes the fun is in finding or solving these. Sherlock Holmes: Four Investigations and Your Town feature them prominently.
Which Adventures are the Most Immersive?
Not every gamebook feels like a journey with a character, but there are some that do this quite nicely! Captive, Sherlock Holmes: Four Investigations, and Tears of a Goddess include strong ties to the characters and settings.
Choosing Wisely
I went all-in with every season so far, which has its pros and cons. I’ve played adventures I usually never would have, and found some classics along the way!
Despite my nickname as the “Breaker of Wallets,” I try my best to showcase as much as I can to make the choice to buy an informed one. Always think carefully.
Of the 5 adventures, I classify 2 as great, 2 as decent, and 1 as something that missed the mark for me.
I do love having the complete set, though, along with the second season… And a third on the way?! My, oh my.
A Few Words of Warning
My detailed reviews might be better places to learn more about the major pitfalls of each gamebook. For the sake of keeping everything together, though, these are a few important points worth noting.
- Captive: The theme is a lot darker than some might expect, and it includes some mature language and content.
- Loup Garou: The puzzles feel a little tacked on, and the skill tree doesn’t actually make a huge difference.
- Sherlock Holmes: Four Investigations: The difference between playing Holmes and Watson is rather limited.
- Tears of a Goddess: The content can be a little mature in some parts, and there are limited chances to backtrack.
- Your Town: The bookkeeping is excessive to the point of being painful, and combat involves dropping a pencil.
Some of the original gamebooks also have binding that is notorious for falling apart during the first few plays. This issue has been resolved, but just be aware in case you come across the early editions! All of my gamebooks have this problem, although it’s manageable… So far. I just hope that repeated use in the future doesn’t destroy them completely.
Continue the Conversation
Do you own any gamebooks from season one of the Graphic Novel Adventures? Which ones are your favorites? The varied content seems to appeal to a wide audience, even if that means you’re only interested in 1 or 2 adventures. Feel free to ask any questions. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with season one, and will move onto season two soon enough!
Let’s face it, if a wallet isn’t exercised frequently it gets flabby and weak. So really you’re performing a service to public health!
Ha ha! This is exactly how I’ll have to look at it in the future. No more apologizing to wallets!