Diabolical

[i]Diabolical[/i] is one of many 'Choice Of' games, released by the eponymous digital gamebook company. It follows a strict format outlined by the company's website - players can chose male or female characters to play, and they will inevitably set 'orientation', as well as giving players an initial set up characterising their player with a custom name, abilities and traits. In this installment, the player is a super villain... and I have to say it's easily my favourite of the [i]Choice Of[/i] games I've played so far. The general plot pits your villainous cad, whether he/she be a technogical genius, a military tactician, or a frightening dark prowler, against the equally sinister Dr. Arachnus, who is terrorising the city... and who has made a rivalry with you a particular focus. Through the various choices you make, Arachnus' plan is outlined neatly, and you're soon drawn against such other (deliberately) cliched and outlandish characters as The Drake, The Countess, and Agent Steelheart. Whether your villain robs a bank with smoke and mirrors, hides naked in a vat of flour to make a raid (don't ask), or planting nanobots into the mind of a corrupt politician to ensure their later compliance, the acts of villainy you commit are yours to command! The game is simple. No graphics, no mess, no fuss. You read a page and when the page ends you get a choice. When you take your choice the story will take you in a different direction. Certain choices give you certain 'Planning points' that you can spend on restricted choices later - you earn them for being particularly menacing or clever. It is possible to 'die' in the storyline so it's important to get as many advantages your way as possible - whether it be hiring a team of supporters to eatch your back, or amass enough planning points to get yourself out of whatever trap you find yourself in. Along the way, choices give you stats, and these stats can also be used to influence the choices, especially towards the end. Pay attention to what technological terror you're contstructing!!! Those looking for a straight laced plain jane comic book style story are going to be disappointing. Instead, [i]Diabolical[/i] plants it's own tongue firmly in cheek. Yes, your villain can do some utterly dastardly deeds. The plot whilst filled to the brim with humour is ultimately quite serious, but along the way a good dose of camp and slapstick is played for jollies. Ultimately, despite how amazing you make your villain, you can't get away from the fact that they're just a little bit... rubbish. And that's OK, because your villain will ultimately become the King / Queen of Crime... Ultimately [i]Diabolical[/i] won't cater to all tastes as some will find it's light-hearted banter too comical, but others will revel in the pomp and circumstance, finding a well-written great story pitting you firmly in the driver's seat. Ultimately for every time your character is defeated in an ignominious way, you'll find a super dark twist reminding you that being a villain certainly doesn't make you the hero! One of [i]Choice Of's[/i] best and therefore recommended if you don't mind the format. As long as you realise it isn't so much of a game, as one of those 'interactive gamebooks' from the 80's!