This review of Nemo’s Fury was posted by Paul Savvy.

The gamebook is inspired by the novel Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. In addition to the physical book the game is also available on Android and iPhone smartphones and tablets. The app version has more than 1,000 EXTRA sections. Full colour illustrations. Interactive inventories. Character galleries. Audio effects. More intrigue, battles, betrayal and monsters. Different routes. Different ending The app version is how Nemo’s Fury was first conceived . A more immersive way of playing Nemo’s Fury. So after reading the book and you like it there is more to explore with the app. The website is nemosfury.com

Fantasy fans may also wish to check out the free online RPG adventure, Game of Runes by the same author.

The forward to the story might be a little politically combustible to some readers. Such as criticism of the British Empire. Jules Verne was French and there was historic rivalry between the nations. History is long, you could jump to parts of it which criticise Ireland or England or U.S.A or France. It’s rare for any individual or nation to be without some sinful acts. So its best if you just accept the story for what it is without feeling any nationalistic patriotism. Try to see through the eyes of the character not through the eyes of yourself.

The adventure starts aboard a ship sent to track down and capture or kill a seamonster. The premise of the story might not be what an animal rights activist wants, or anybody who is a member of the preservation of monsters society, lol. But no real creatures were hurt during the making of this book, so relax, ha ha

The game mechanics are simple enough with 3 characteristics: Charisma, Skill, and Oxygen. Use paper and pencil to keep track of these as well as record any items and weapons you pick up on your adventure. You only need two six-sided dice, to play. Skill is used for fighting. Charisma is your bodies strength and the strength of your personality. So it’s an interesting concept that your health and physical body will effect your personality and vice versa. Eating food may add to your charisma and agreeing with people also adds charisma, so this also highlights how food and hunger effect your mood as well. Charisma as an indicator of body strength is also the weapon used by creatures whose weapons are teeth, claws etc So the hero adds skill to their weapon plus dice roll. But opponents add skill to charisma plus dice roll. These are compared to see who wins the attack round.

What interested me most about Nemo’s Fury is that it made me think about the novels of Jules Verne. I watched a tv show once that described scifi authors as a type of prophet, predicting future events. Reading this gamebook I was reminded of this and suddenly I saw how the prophecy of Nemo has actually occurred in the world. However maybe not in the way this gamebook described. Suddenly in my head I could see what Nemo looked like, I could see the technology of the Nautilus and I understood the symbolic truths of the maelstrom etc This gamebook has some acceptable artwork but I don’t think they show what Nemo or the Nautilus actually looked like. But I am grateful to Nemo’s Fury because it helped me see and decode yet another prophecy that was previously invisible to my eyes. The app itself has a lot more art than the book. That’s one of great things about literature how a book can have different levels and depths and effect different people in different ways. You can be suprised by seeing something totally different than what is intended.

I heard there was a bad review about Nemo’s Fury but I wonder why? Maybe it was politics or maybe it was a dnd fan who has a totally different view of charisma?

I think it was politics as the reviewer confessed that they didn’t read passed a few pages.

The text style of the book and the page layout looks very much like a fighting fantasy book and it’s size is also similar. The 3 characteristic stats are also similar but different. For example there is no maximum charisma. Charisma may go up and down like a yoyo without an upper limit, but the lower limit is zero. The way you get charisma for conversational choices or hospitable acts is also a good idea.

The story actually made me smile or laugh at times. It wasn’t just a hit things with a weapon style of adventure, or collect items, so your choices impacted more in story. It might actually teach some people to be better at conversation, lol

The writing style and description is also good. It’s based upon a book that is very popular and has had movies made about it so we can also say that the story of Nemo’s Fury is also good. Yet this is an adaptation so there could be plot twists and deviations from the original story by Verne so this makes for an interesting read. A reader will have to find out as I am not giving away any plot spoilers.

Nemo’s Fury is 199 pages long. The price is good value for money. The paperback on Amazon was selling for about £9. For ages 8+. Book size 15.24 x 1.14 x 22.86 cm. There’s nothing really scary in the book so it’s a safe read for kids.

Here’s the blurb description of the book

‘This thrilling gamebook is a steampunk underwater adventure where you are the hero battling to survive against monsters, murder and mayhem alongside the legendary Captain Nemo on board his incredible submarine, the Nautilus. Inspired by the stories of classic science fiction Jules Verne the gamebook includes over 900 sections, a unique combat system and original illustrations. Beginning in 1867 you play a journalist who is kidnapped along with the Professor Aronnax, his servant Conseil, and the brave harpooner Ned Land, by Captain Nemo. So starts a fantastic global voyage taking you from the Sea of Japan to the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, Antartica and to the North Atlantic Ocean where you must face the dreaded Maelstrom!’

Anybody who likes the books of Jules Verne, or who likes scifi books in general, or steampunkbook or is somebody who wants an underwater adventure would have an interesting reading experience with Nemo’s Fury. Its written by a journalist and main character is a journalist so reading the book may give some insight into the way of the journalist.

It’s a refreshing change to the usual fantasy gamebooks I’ve read. I like how conversational choices are more a part of the story. It’s also a game book that is more realistic than those that are mostly fantastic and fictional.

ENDS

Nemo’s Fury is available exclusively from Amazon. Join the mysterious Captain Nemo on board his remarkable submarine the Nautilus and experience a wild voyage of monsters, mayhem and murder!

You can order your copy of the book with this button:

Also, please download a copy of the journal below to make notes and keep scores as you play the game. Click the box to open in a new tab to view and/or download for free.

Go on a quest to save a defenceless village from the fearsome Bone Baron in this fast-paced fantasy gamebook adventure with monsters, magic and the occasional terrible pun.

Order it here (if you fancy):