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Freeway Fighter

From Titannica

Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks
Outline
Location: Earth
References: 380
Publication Details
Author(s): Ian Livingstone
Illustrator(s): Kevin Bulmer
Puffin
Cover illustrator: Jim Burns
First published: March 28 1985
Number 13
ISBN: ISBN 0-14-031710-4
Previous Book: Space Assassin
Next Book: Temple of Terror
Wizard (Series 1)
Cover illustrator: Jim Burns
First published: September 1 2005
Number 23
ISBN: ISBN 1-84046-565-4
Previous Book: Starship Traveller
Next Book: Talisman of Death
Wizard (Series 2)
Cover illustrator: N/A
First published: N/A
Number N/A
ISBN: N/A
Previous Book: N/A
Next Book: N/A


Freeway Fighter is a single-player role-playing gamebook written by Ian Livingstone, illustrated by Kevin Bulmer and originally published in 1985 by Puffin Books. It was later republished by Wizard Books in 2005. It forms part of Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone's Fighting Fantasy series. It is the 13th in the series in the original Puffin series (ISBN 0-14-031710-4) and 23rd in the modern Wizard "Series 1" (ISBN 1-84046-565-4).

Contents

[edit] Creation

[edit] Freeway Fighter

“ Devastated by a killer virus, the world you once knew is a wilderness.

Life is lawless and dangerous. Survivors like you either live in scattered, fortified towns, or roam outside as bandits. YOUR mission is to cross the wilderness to the far-distant oil-refinery at San Anglo and bring vital supplies back to the peaceful town of New Hope. Even in the armed Dodge Interceptor you are given, the journey will be wild and perilous. Will YOU survive?

Freeway Fighter has an extended combat system and a double adventure sheet. All you need is two dice, a pencil and an eraser. YOU decide which way to go, which weapons to use and which dangers to risk![1] 		”

The story takes places in what appears to be a post-apocalyptic America (though the country or region is never explicitly stated), dominated by heavily armed muscle cars and lawless nomads; there can be little doubt that the setting draws direct inspiration from the Mad Max movies. The player must drive their Dodge Interceptor across the brutal wastes in order to procure a fresh supply of petrol for their home, the peaceful settlement of New Hope.

[edit] Personal Abilities/Car Specifications/Combat/Credits

The book in general follows the original rules set down in The Warlock of Firetop Mountain. (see Game System)

[edit] Unique Rules

  • The stamina score is a 2d6 plus 24 roll.
  • Provisons are replaced by Med-Kits which restore 4 stamina each.
  • armour first appeared in Space Assassin as a 1d6 plus 6 roll representing personal armour. Here the attribute (2d6 plus 24 roll) stands for the armour of the Dodge Interceptor vehicle the player drives during the game. This is joined by a new attribute firepower (1d6 plus 6) that also represents the vehicle.
  • Combat is split into Hand-to-Hand, the use of projectile weapons, and vehicle combat.

[edit] Equipment List

  • 200 Credits
  • 10 Med-Kits
  • 4 rockets
  • 3 canisters of iron spikes
  • 2 oil canisters

[edit] Cover and Illustrations

Covers

The original cover of the book was designed and illustrated by Jim Burns.

When the book was republished by Wizard the cover was reworked by Jim Burns. However, this is not an original piece of artwork for the range, the illustration having been used as far back as 1984 to illustrate the Games Workshop RPG Battlecars.[2]

Freeway Fighter through the years
1985 1987 1989 1990 2005 2005
Zig-Zag Banner Dragon Format Dragon No No. No. Spine Only No Bronze-Foil Wizard "Special
Limited Edition" 		Wizard
£1.751 £1.952 £?2.253 £? £3.994 £4.99 £4.99
  1. Price of 1st~2nd Impressions; £1.95 for 6th Impression
  2. Price of 8th Impression
  3. Price of 10th Impression
  4. Price of 12th~13th Impressions

Illustrations

The interior illustrations were by Kevin Bulmer. "The artwork for this book was done in a 9 day stretch as a favour for Ian [Livingstone] since (as I understand it) the previous artwork was rejected at the last moment."[3] There were 32 full page illustrations and 5 minor repeated illustrations scattered throughout the text. The paragraphs with a full page illustration were: 1, 13, 24, 34, 49, 60, 78, 90, 102, 115, 128, 138, 147, 158, 167, 178, 190, 207, 211, 221, 241, 257, 269, 271, 281, 291, 311, 321, 331, 341, 351, and 372.

[edit] Intertextual References

[edit] Other Media

[edit] Main Characters

YOU: Hero of Freeway Fighter

[edit] Locations

[edit] Encounters

Individual

Vehicle

  • Armoured Car
  • Chariot
  • Commodore
  • Dune Buggys
  • E-Type Jaguar
  • Helicopter
  • Jeep
  • Motor Bike and Sidecar
  • Motor Cycle
  • Red Chevvy
  • Station-wagon
  • Toyota
  • Yellow Ford

[edit] Further Notes

  • Unusually the "Background" section isn't listed on the Contents page.

[edit] Errors

[edit] Dedication

For Ronnie

[edit] See Also

[edit] Reviews

[edit] External Links

[edit] References

  1. ↑ Freeway Fighter - Back Cover ("Golden Dragon" Edition)
  2. ↑ White Dwarf 53 (May 1984) Battlecars advert (p.2)
  3. ↑ Letter from Kevin Bulmer at the Internet Archive record of the old Fightingfantasy.com
Ian Livingstone
The Warlock of Firetop Mountain
 Eye of the Dragon
 The Forest of Doom
 City of Thieves
 Deathtrap Dungeon
 Island of the Lizard King
 Caverns of the Snow Witch
 Caverns of the Snow Witch
Freeway Fighter
 Temple of Terror
 Trial of Champions
 Crypt of the Sorcerer
 Armies of Death
 Return to Firetop Mountain
 Legend of Zagor
 Eye of the Dragon
Retrieved from "http://fightingfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Freeway_Fighter"