Bantam Books, $2.25, ISBN 0-553-23507-9
Sci-fi, 1983

You play an Interplanetary Spy in The Galactic Pirate, the second gamebook in the Be an Interplanetary Spy series. This is a gamebook meant for younger readers, so it is more akin to an interactive puzzle book instead of a gamebook that requires die and data sheets to play.

In this one, we meet Marko Khen, the leader of a “small band of criminals”. Recently, they had captured some animals from the Interplanetary Zoo and mutated them into more aggressive and monstrous versions. These monsters are then used to destroy buildings and things. Prince Quizon of Alvare wants you to help stop these criminals before they do more damage to the civilized galaxy. Oh, and you must also rescue those animals and change them back to their original forms, because they are very rare animals.

This is a very linear campaign, so you won’t be told to make much choices as much as you have to solve the puzzles thrown your way. This time around, the puzzles are actually challenging at times, making this gamebook an enjoyable way to kill the time. The artwork is slightly inferior compared to the previous gamebook in the series, but the plot is stronger and the puzzles are more fun to solve.

And really, if a cynical adult like me can enjoy this one, it really can’t be all bad!