App Army Assemble: Warlock of Firetop Mountain - A tabletop RPG meets a Fighting Fantasy gamebook

Tin Man Games is back with an exciting new gamebook adventure, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, but this time it's got more akin with a boardgame than a book.

And that's largely down to the brand new 3D engine powering the experience. Previously, Tin Man games were displayed like books with fancy interactive elements, but this time around everything is visual - from the character and enemies, to even the dungeon itself.

Aside from that, it's largely the same experience. It's still based on a Fighting Fantasy gamebook - yep, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain - and you're still battling baddies, exploring a dungeon, and collecting all the treasure.

At review, we dug it, praising praised the changes made by developer Tin Man Games, giving it a Silver Award and describing it as: "a brilliant story wrapped in a great game, and you should definitely give it a go".

We also gave it to our battle-hardened expert of a community, the App Army, to see what they think. Here are their thoughts and findings in full.

GGod Hand

I'm enjoying this. The combat mechanics are simple and a bit slow though, so you might want to look elsewhere if you're looking for something more complex and challenging. The enemy variety and AI is solid, and keeps things fresh.

The writing is excellent and helps immerse you. You're constantly thrown choices, and all of your actions have consequences.

The Warlock of Firetop Mountain does a good job of expanding the interactive novel genre. I would recommend this to fans of the genre, though those unfamiliar should make sure they know what they're getting themselves involved in.

Laura Egri

The Warlock of Firetop Mountain successfully combines the gamebook adventure with a tabletop RPG. I like that the original illustrations and text from the books themselves return, and there are plenty of characters to choose from, each with different skills. This combines to create multiple different paths to tread, increasing the replayability.

The combat is fairly easy, and requires some light strategy. It's more of a zen experience rather than an action-based one, and it has a certain charm that manages to keep you playing.

Quincy Jones

I'm really liking this game - it's what I wanted from Sorcery! and its sequels. It's a wonderful experience for both those that love tabletop games and gamebooks.

I like how as you enter an area it comes alive around you, and that different characters cause you to have a unique experience each time. It also seems made for a touchscreen.

Chase Geier

This is a decent game. It's like a gamebook, but with interactive and very strategic combat. There are many different heroes to pick from, each with a different background and play styles.

It's a nice spin on the formula.

Tony Teulan

Lovingly crafted with tabletop adventures in mind, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain roars with respect for the Fighting Fantasy gamebook - so much so, there's a complete history of the story right in the menu.

I love how you can both read this but also have control over the finely-balanced combat. How the world drops in when you move, like you've just imagined it into being. Its replayability thanks to the different characters - extra sets of which can be purchased via DLC with their own attacks, traits, and stories.

It's everything you want and more from interactive fiction. I can see many hours of fun ahead and it will be staying on my device for a long time to come!

Chanandler

I feel like the combat would benefit from allowing you to pause and chain a certain number of moves or actions together. Then you could just watch it play out.

Right now it feels a little random. Every time I've hit anything so far it's been a 'clash' hit, as manoeuvring around the limited area seems to only leave you with that option.

This would be so much better if they gave you action points that you could use to plan out your attacks during your turn, and then let both sides go for it.

The Warlock of Firetop Mountain is out right now in the App Store for £4.99 / $4.99.