We begin this review by thanking Aristea and Valeria Cavasin for making us enterprising detectives with the Magikal Crimes box set.

Before we start solving crimes, it is necessary to briefly explain what we are talking about. Magikal Crimes is a series of gamebooks set in an urban fantasy world where we will live the magical adventures of a budding detective. Our daily life will be continuously disrupted by fantastic creatures and dangerous adversaries ready to do anything to get what they want.

In this review I will analyze the box set that contains all four books of the series. If you can’t resist any longer, know that you can buy it on the Aristea website at a cost of about €44. The publishing house has provided the possibility of purchasing the gamebooks separately, although it is mandatory to follow the order given that the events are very connected.

A First Look at Magikal Crimes

The Magikal Crimes box set contains all four gamebooks of the series, as well as a detailed map of the theme park that we will visit in the second volume. Let’s take a closer look at the four titles:

• I Lupi di Arrow Town: this is the first gamebook of the series. Composed of 216 pages with a paperback cover, it contains an introductory case and a second case that gives the gamebook its name.
• Pumqueen Patch: the story continues after the conclusion of the previous case. A 136-page gamebook in which we will watch over a famous fairy tale princess.
• Il Dilemma dell’Asino: the third gamebook of the series is perhaps the crudest of the quartet. Composed of 144 pages, it will put us in front of really difficult choices.
• Gandalf Girl: the last gamebook of the series. In its 152 pages, the knots come to a head and the decisions made in the previous chapters will mark our path.

The four gamebooks are contained inside a cardboard box that gives the whole thing a truly elegant and comfortable touch, allowing you to carry them comfortably in a backpack without risking damaging them.

Analysis of the Mechanics of Magikal Crimes

Magikal Crimes has a really simple and smooth system. Inside our cases we will find clues and leads to follow. These goals will be indicated with specific letters to tick on the character sheet. For example, at the end of a paragraph we could be told:

If you have C7 go to 73 otherwise to 54

To make the most of the system, I recommend printing the character sheet so you don’t have to constantly browse the gamebook, but above all, so you don’t have to tick the boxes from one gamebook to another. The system is then completed with four specific situations:

• The ability to use arcane energy.
• The need to account for money.
• The need to account for time.
• The need to account for bullets in the magazine.

At the beginning of each case we will be told which specific situations will come into play, asking us for example if we want to bring more bullets or more money. A blind choice that only during the reading will you discover if it was lucky. Obviously no choice prejudges the outcome of the adventure, but it provides ideas and puts the player in front of really interesting choices.

How to Customize Your Detective

The gamebook allows for truly innovative and interesting customization because, in addition to allowing us to choose a Specialization for our detective, it allows us to outline her Psychological Profile.

Let’s start with Specialization. At the beginning of Lupi di Arrow Town we will be asked to make a choice between three possibilities:

• Knowledge of magic: we will be well-versed in the subject and will be able to make the best use of magical objects.
• Strength: to be chosen if we want to excel in hand-to-hand combat.
• Intelligence: Magikal Crimes is set in an urban fantasy world. This means that there is magic, but also technology. In this way technological means will have no secrets for us.

The Psychological Profile, on the other hand, is a section of the sheet in which we will increasingly outline the type of detective we are playing. We are resentful and diplomatic people. Are we faithful to our partner or not. Do we suffer from vertigo? Within the various paragraphs we will be faced with choices that will provide keywords to use to continue in the story.

The Plot

We are Detective Amy Tang of the Magikal Crimes Division. Whether it’s occult artifacts, evil sorcerers, or enchanted creatures, the department will take action to solve the situation.

As the cases unfold, we will decide how enterprising we are, or how much the end justifies the means. It will be up to us to choose whether to cross that line that separates an honest cop from a dirty one.

The plot develops within the different gamebooks, in which we will have to solve the case of the moment using our skills. A common thread perfectly ties together the different cases and the relationships that develop between the various characters.

Final Thoughts of the Magikal Crimes Review

Magikal Crimes is an extremely valid product, with very interesting mechanics that allow for extreme customization of our protagonist. The different cases keep the reader focused on the plot, and the relationships with the characters perfectly complete the work. The author has done an excellent job in creating a flowing narrative that will lead us to a very important choice. What do we want to do with our lives?

Magikal Crimes boasts a high replayability given by the customization of the Specialization and the Psychological Profile. A gamebook in which we can even make the ending of the story our own. I recommend the purchase to all those who love detective stories and can’t wait to get involved in a magical world.

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