![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Black spells are used for offense and debuffs, and White spells are used for defense and buffs. I would have liked a method to send out demons to torment villagers during exploration, as some can join you as you level up.īlack Book‘s combat is turn-based and allows you to pick up to four spells from your hand and draw from up to thirty-three spell pages to use during your turn. Later on, you can use certain items and skills to keep the demons from tormenting Vasilisa. It can be difficult not to sin as you need to make morally correct choices which occasionally lower the number of sins on top of managing the demons you keep around or send out in the early game. This may be a necessary evil since if you don’t send out demons to torment other villagers, they will instead torment Vasilisa with negative status effects or debuffs. This system counts the number of sins you have committed by making questionable choices or sending out demons to torment villagers. Some choices influence the morality system that affects notable parts of the experience, such as the ending. I would’ve appreciated if there was a way to visit the more relevant areas to the main tasks regardless if I visited a particular place that’s seen as mandatory or not, as that would improve the game’s pacing.ĭuring exploration, you will be able to make choices. While the exploration works well, some of the mandatory events before the main location felt more optional than mandatory. Along the way, events occur, such as meeting other villagers who may need help or discovering new items or demons. This requires you to head to areas on the map to complete tasks. Further, the soundtrack is well-composed, with several atmospheric tracks and some vocal ones that fit the setting relatively well.īlack Book’s gameplay has you explore the rural countryside of Russia as you are given main and optional tasks to handle by visitors of Old Egor’s house, where Vasilisa works towards breaking the seals of the Black Book. However, despite this, the various locations are breathtaking in ambiance and coloration. The character models look minimalistic, especially from up close when compared to the well-illustrated artwork. ![]() However, you can opt-in for hints, but doing so will lower the experience gained.Īdmittedly, the visual style is somewhat rough. These queries can be challenging to understand without checking out the encyclopedia. I appreciated these inclusions as I didn’t know much about the lore the game is based on.Īdditionally, there are scenarios where you’re tested on your knowledge that nets experience for the correct answer. There is also a hint option during the dialogue that translates some Russian words. A few twists line the narrative, which are decided on the choices players make during dialogue.īlack Book includes Slavic mythology and folklore in its narrative, but there’s a handy encyclopedia available the fills up during gameplay. A few characters join Vasilisa along the way, such as Old Egor, Nikolay, and Proshka, who each have their own personality and effect on the narrative. Still, I noticed that the English dub didn’t sync with the written dialogue at times. The voice acting itself is decent and adds charm to the experience. The narrative is well-written and presented with full voice acting with Russian and English dubs. This mission takes Vasilisa on a journey to solve the mysteries behind the seals in hopes of reviving her lover. Unable to accept this outcome, Vasilisa becomes a witch and obtains a relic known as the Black Book, a demonic artifact containing spells and the power to grant the wishes of those who break all seven seals that the book holds. But, sadly, things aren’t happily ever after, and, unfortunately, he took his own life and found himself sent straight to hell. However, she refused this fate in favor of being with her beloved and eventually marrying him. In Black Book, the player takes the role of Vasilisa, a young orphan woman who is destined to become a witch after being taught the craft by her grandfather, Old Egor. The result is an experience that I found myself invested in. Black Book falls into the category of “interesting concepts” as it mixes the mechanics of a turn-based card-battling RPG with elements of point-and-click adventure games. Indie games excel most when they explore new concepts through unique means or whatever budget they have access to, which is generally what sets them apart. ![]()
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