Black Book Review
Black Book’s premise alone may be a make or break prospect to many. Hearing the words ‘Slavic deck-building RPG’ mashed together is bound to raise some eyebrows, but even to those who instinctively turn their heads away from card games, Black Book promises an enthralling card-building .
The game sees you playing as young Vasilisa–a practising witch who threw her fate away to marry her true love until their mysterious death–who searches for the elusive Black Book that is said to grant any wish to those who uncover all its seven seals. She becomes an infamous beacon of hope for the dreary rural countryside of Russia, solving various paranormal problems that perpetually plague the locale.
The core gameplay elements are relatively simple, but becomes more complex as you begin to learn the in-depth power that Vasilia’s enchantment book holds. Combat consists of a turn-based deck-building formula, with each card having a heal, attack, or defence ability. You start with a set of cards, with more given to you as each turn transpires.
The amount of abilities that you are allowed to use at one time depends on both level and card class, which consists of either scrolls or swords. For instance, you may have three open slots for cards, but two of those slots might be a scroll while the other is a sword classification. This means you’re limited to only a selection of cards at a time, and thus couldn’t spam your attacks.
Card fighting
Combat experience is also simplistic enough to minimise frustration, while allowing for some extremely deadly combos once players have mastered the gameplay. The difficulty slope is also perfectly attuned to even the most novice of players, as there’s plenty of room for error and experimentation within the first few fights.
Then there’s an engrossing array of minigames and random side quests that litter the Russian landscape. What is most prominent is the light detective work within the dialogue trees, where Vasilisa must deduce whether certain characters are telling the truth through information gained earlier in the story. It’s a great way to keep you on your toes, while lending credence to your deductions.
All of this culminates in an incredibly pleasing aesthetic with enthralling characters and stories. From Vasilisa to the foes and folks she meets along the way, it’s clear every ounce of passion and creativity were put into both their design and their voice acting which is well-done, despite being a bit too boisterous at times. Every inch of this captivating world will mesmerise you as it introduces vibrance and life, even through its bleak, dreary setting.
Even the music fits the atmosphere perfectly. It’s not exactly going to win any awards, but it’s a fitting one. Battle music has that upbeat, jaunty eminence, whereas dialogue opts for more inquisitive, slower beats. It sets the mood brilliantly without overshadowing its battles.
Too much to do
Although the minigames feel fleshed out, the sheer amount of things to do in them can become rather disorienting at times, especially in the first hour or so. Rather than dole information out in small doses, the tutorials in Black Book feel like they’re trying to unload everything onto you as much as possible, which can feel daunting, as though they’re used to pad more content in between the game’s core deck-fighting elements. Fortunately it’s a feeling that fades soon after the first section is over, but can be noticeably frustrating, especially since it arises so early in the game.
In the end, Black Book is one game that feels like a great representation of its genre for the uninitiated. It’s a game that exudes charm, despite the depressing landscape it’s set in. Its premise is a perfect match for novice deck-builders, as it creates a solid foundation of understanding for those looking to break into similar experiences.