Black Book (video game)

Black Book is an adventure role-playing video game, developed by Morteshka, which created The Mooseman, and published by HypeTrain Digital. The game was released on August 10, 2021.[1][2]

Black Book
Developer(s)Morteshka
Publisher(s)HypeTrain Digital
EngineUnity Engine
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
ReleaseAugust 10, 2021
Genre(s)Role-playing, adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Taking place in 19th century Russia, the game is heavily inspired by Russian folklore and narrative is based on Bailichkas. To ensure the authenticity in depiction of myths and real-life locations, the developers worked alongside Russian ethnographers.

Gameplay

In the game, players control Vasilisa - a young sorceress, who travels across the landscape of rural Russia, aiding commonfolk along the way. The players achieve that by solving puzzles and engaging in battle using a deck-building card combat system. Throughout the journey, choices made by the player will affect the plot and general progression of the game.

Plot

A young girl named Vasilisa, destined to become a witch, decides to throw her fate away and marry her beloved - but that dream is shattered when her betrothed dies under mysterious circumstances.

Aching for her lost love, Vasilisa seeks out Black Book - a demonic artifact, said to be powerful enough to grant any wish to the one who uncovers all 7 of its seals.

Development

Development of the game started in 2017. The game was released for Steam, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch on August 10, 2021.[3][2]

It is the second game developed by Russian team Morteshka. Their previous project, The Mooseman, takes inspiration from Finno-Ugric lore and the Chud tribes of Northern Europe.[4]

Reception

Rock Paper Shotgun found that while the card battles were sometimes ill-balanced, they praised the game for its specific approach to Russian folklore, stating that it was where it "shows its heart".[9]

References
  1. "Card-based RPG and adventure game fusion Black Book announced for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC". Gematsu. 16 January 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  2. "Black Book launches August 10". Gematsu. July 22, 2021.
  3. "Sinister Adventure Awaits In Black Book, A Dark Card-Based RPG Headed To Switch". Nintendo Life. 16 January 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  4. "Black Book is an adventure RPG about witches and demons". Destructoid. 2020-01-17. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  5. "Black Book for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  6. "Black Book for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  7. "Black Book for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  8. "Black Book Review | Aces high". RPGamer. 12 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  9. "Black Book review: plays its Russian folklore cards right". Rock Paper Shotgun. 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
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