Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Sep 14, 2021
    88
    Morteshka’s deal with the devil has paid off, as Black Book delivers a captivating story and engaging gameplay full of strategy and variety that should keep you busy for over 40 hours. Being in league with Satan usually comes with a great price, but players should be able to overcome any curses handed down to them. With strong character development and narrative, this wicked book is a page-turner that’s worth a read.
  2. 85
    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.
  3. Aug 31, 2021
    80
    Black Book is a great mix of Slavic folklore, engaging card game, and an interesting story.
  4. Aug 27, 2021
    80
    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.
  5. Aug 5, 2021
    80
    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.
  6. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Oct 22, 2021
    77
    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]
  7. Aug 8, 2021
    76
    Smart indie RPG with a great setting, fun card battles and interesting characters.
  8. Sep 2, 2021
    75
    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.
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  1. For a while, the front of my brain resisted a little, and I mentally changed terminology to things I was more familiar with, but eventually I stopped this. Things get lost in translation, and change in the retelling, and Black Book is clear that a precise choice of words is very important. Vasilisa is a koldun, she casts complex zagavor on a journey to resurrect her dead fiancé, and I’m absolutely there for the ride. Somewhere else, a long time ago.
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 62 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 62
  2. Negative: 4 out of 62
  1. Aug 12, 2021
    8
    The game is like Slay The Spire but with an actual well writen and voiced plot and minus the rogue-like elements. The story is good and theThe game is like Slay The Spire but with an actual well writen and voiced plot and minus the rogue-like elements. The story is good and the game contains lots of real Russian folklore. There are several original and interesting game mechanics such as "demon managing" (you must choose if you will send your demons to harass other people or suffer their debuffs or find ways to mitigate their penalties) and puzzle combat. There is lots of room for roleplaying choices to become a good or bad witch. And there are many options for build/deck customization. The only cons of the game are minimalistic graphics (this didnt stop Slay The Spire from being a great game) and that the difficulty is rather easy even on the "extreme" setting. I would also love if the "sin" system had more interactions with the game play than simply affecting some dialogue and the endings. Maybe some item or card interactions would be great. Or maybe i havent gotten that far. Full Review »
  2. Feb 27, 2022
    10
    потрясающая работа с настоящим фольклором
  3. Jan 7, 2022
    10
    This is definitely not my favourite tipe of games, but this is perfect. Story, setting, gameplay- everything 10/10.