Black Book

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.

Black Book is a great mix of Slavic folklore, engaging card game, and an interesting story.

Black Book is a unique mix of point-and-click adventure and fun card-based deck-building RPG taking place in a unique setting with interesting characters. There are certain shortcomings in translation and lack of explanation when it comes to the game’s systems, but overall it is an incredibly enjoyable narrative-driven experience.

It's hard for me to put a precise score on that kind of thing. I'd be happy to recommend it to anyone with a card-game addiction, it's got a few things going for it as far as being an RPG, and if you're interested in learning about Russian mythology, Black Book is practically an educational tool. However, it's also janky, inconsistent, and not great about explaining its systems. I wouldn't say that it's exactly unpolished — I get the feeling that Black Book is exactly what it was intended to be — but it feels like the sort of game that, back in the day, would've shipped with an inch-thick manual, which you don't have.

A great way to dive into the folklore of the Russian North. The setting is remarkably fresh, the story is well-written, and while the card battles are rather mediocre, the game doesn’t penalize the player for skipping them. [Issue#255, p.50]

Smart indie RPG with a great setting, fun card battles and interesting characters.

Morteshka’s second outing was a home-run. Black Book is a superbly written title, lifting the lids of a host of Slavic myths that were likely unknown to many of us previously. Gameplay can be easy at times, but the rest will keep you locked in.

This game is low budget, sure, but that doesn’t hold it back in the slightest. It’s a very good card game, especially attractive for Eastern European players due to the captivating way in which it deals with Slavic mythology.

On the whole, Black Book is a fun adventure that does enough to stand out from the crowd. The combat and card play are different enough from its contemporaries that those looking for a more traditional entry point into deck-building can give it a shot, even if the game begins to wear out its welcome by the end of its thirty or so hours. The real reason to stick with it is the great attention to detail regarding Slavic folklore and how it weaves into the gameplay in ways that can make the player feel clever. It won’t be the flashiest game anyone plays this year, but there is a good time to be had.

Black Book holds a lot of promise… not as a game, but rather an interactive guide to local myths and legends. In all other aspects it’s an exercise in mediocrity.

Black Book is an intriguing game due to its unique subject matter. The problem is that the game's pace is too slow and you risk getting bored and missing out on all the good stuff in the game.