These markings must mean something.
The Return of Zaltec is a graphical Gamebook with a strong emphasis on puzzles, alongside standard dice-based combat. The puzzle element serves as the game's primary mechanic, where the answer to a puzzle leads the player to the correct page.
The game sets off with you as a young adventurer who wishes to restore peace to the land during troubled times (and make a name for yourself while you're at it), with the objective becoming clearer as you progress along the game.There is a sequel, Zaltec II: The Generation Stone, where you play as an unrelated character.
The book is available for free at https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/311780/The-Return-of-Zaltec-Gamebook
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The Return of Zaltec provides examples of the following tropes:
- Ancient Tomb: Right in the start of the game, although you can't figure out how to open it until later.
- Cheaters Never Prosper: Attempting to cheat against the final boss and just "beat" him leads the player to a fake, mediocre ending.
- Glowing Eyes: Zaltec has these.
- Left-Justified Fantasy Map: Guess on which side of Kabaran is the West Sea.
- Lock and Key Puzzle: Several of these. Often the player won't even realize it's what they're up against until they have both the lock and the key, which combine to reveal their solution.
- Medieval European Fantasy: Averted. The characters all appear olive-skinned, the architecture is Ancient Near Eastern, and the monsters look like traditional African masks.
- Puzzle Boss: As is only fitting for the puzzle-focused game this is. The boss has impossible stats. The only way to defeat him is by using his sword, and connecting its markings with the markings on his chest.
- Random Encounters: All encounters except the final boss are random.
- Screw Destiny: Zaltec is prophesied to return as a hero. However, he returns to conquer and enslave everyone.
- Squishy Wizard: Averted. Zaltec is anything but squishy.
- The X of Y: Right in the title, The Return of Zaltec.
- Trauma Inn: This is the only real purpose of the inns in the game (besides from the inn at Barnan, which also contains a map of the region).
- Use Their Own Weapon Against Them: The only way to defeat the final boss is to find his ancient sword and use it against him.
