Monday 10 October 2022

She-Hulk goes to Murderworld: A Marvel: Multiverse Missions Adventure Gamebook by Tim Dedopulos - Book Review

 


'Embark on an adventure with She-Hulk to uncover a sinister plot from destroying the world where your choices – and chance – drive the story

'When She-Hulk decides to represent old foe Ruby Thursday, who swears she is being framed for murder, she must overcome her bias to prove Ruby’s innocence. Her investigation leads her into a conspiracy involving tech companies wielding insurmountable powers… and yet who are all mysteriously dying like flies. While trying to get Ruby out on bail, She-Hulk discovers a mysterious Expo being held in L.A., but a swarm of zany villains have been sent to slow her down. But for She-Hulk, nothing will stand in the way of true justice – even if it means facing a villain who believes mazes and games should only end one way: in murder.'

Having previously read and enjoyed the previous Marvel Multiverse Missions book, You Are (Not) Deadpool, I was excited to try out the second book in the series, She-Hulk goes to Murderworld, especially now that the TV show is coming to an end and I need more She-Hulk in my life.

Just like in the other book in this series, She-Hulk goes to Murderworld does not put you in the shoes of the titular hero. This feels like something of a risky choice, as I imagine most readers want to play as the comic book heroes, fighting the fights and doing all of the cool stuff, but this series puts you into the role of a regular, ordinary person in the Marvel Universe who gets swept up in an adventure you're not equipped to be dealing with. And this is a move that I ultimately think works for the better; especially in this book.

The Deadpool book was enjoyable, but it also felt a little odd at times thanks to the reader having to pal around with a character that's extremely weird. This time, it feels like it works a lot better as She-Hulk is a more grounded and serious character than Deadpool; even if she does break the fourth wall and comment on the game mechanics a few times.

This more serious focus also comes into play with the story, as in the other book you were running around trying to figure out what was going, often left wondering why you were doing things, other than simply 'because Deadpool is telling me I have to'. Here, you're a paralegal working on a murder case with She-Hulk, and what you're doing makes more sense. You're searching for clues, interviewing witnesses, and following the trail to try and get your client freed and find the real killer.

But, this being a She-Hulk book, it's not your average procedural, and the very first things that happen in the story show that off, as you and She-Hulk get attacked by a vampire cow, Hell Cow. Despite the more serious tone of the book, this first encounter shows us that this is still going to be pretty damn weird too.

The book uses the same kind of mechanics as the other one, so if you've played that it'll feel familiar to you. If this is your first go round at one of these books there's enough explanations and help to begin with that you don't feel like you're too overwhelmed when things kick off for the first time.

I hope that these books prove popular, and that we get more of them. These first two have been really enjoyable and intriguing, and I'd love to see what characters the team at Aconyte would do for next. With so many weird and wonderful characters in the Marvel Universe, this feels like a series that could go on for a while, and do some great things.


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