Book of Demons

 PC
User Score
3.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 146 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 146
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 146
  3. Negative: 81 out of 146

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  1. BazookaJoe
    Dec 18, 2018
    10
    Got the game in early access with no regrets, its come forward in leaps and bounds! I can play the game for hours straight or only 20 mins and still feel like I've progressed and achieved something. I always keep coming back to it regardless of what else I'm playing. I cant wait to see what other games they will add to the collection in the future. I even purchased the Supporters Pack asGot the game in early access with no regrets, its come forward in leaps and bounds! I can play the game for hours straight or only 20 mins and still feel like I've progressed and achieved something. I always keep coming back to it regardless of what else I'm playing. I cant wait to see what other games they will add to the collection in the future. I even purchased the Supporters Pack as soon as it was available, small companies like this with a great vision as theirs need all our support!… Expand
  2. Dana88
    Dec 13, 2018
    9
    I felt in love with the game before it was even accessible by players. Tried it on a games trade show and added it to wishlist from spot. I bought it when it hit EA and stayed with it to the very end. I'm not disappointed! Every update added something to its value, i think it's a rare case those days.

    As devs always say, it is a loveletter to the first Diablo. Harcore games maybe    I felt in love with the game before it was even accessible by players. Tried it on a games trade show and added it to wishlist from spot. I bought it when it hit EA and stayed with it to the very end. I'm not disappointed! Every update added something to its value, i think it's a rare case those days.

    As devs always say, it is a loveletter to the first Diablo. Harcore games maybe wouldn't be caught by its simplicity, but old fans that waited for a true reboot and the causal gamers too will quite probably fell in love as I did. It still utilizes unique mechanics that differs it from other games (path walking, shields, exploding zombies, cards instead of equipement, etc).

    I perceive myself as a hardcore gamer, and I just love the roguelike/roguelite mode where all your decisions matter. I like challenges that are set by the swarms of enemies, and also like to get lost in randomly gen. dungs.

    My favorite class? Definitely mage as it has more spell cards and requires a bit more of planning ahead and agility. Rogue with its Epic Arrows just sweeps enemies from their feet, and athe warrior is the pure tanker.

    I also love the artstyle - it's simplicity and clarity (especially the latter as I find hns games sometimes overcluthed by the enviro).

    It's flaws? It might get repetitive for some periods but three classes ammend that for me. The game could also use more soundtracks, they are cool, but the game could use some more. You won't find here much story which is a humoristic copy of what happened in D1.

    It's a nice piece of an indie game!    … Expand
  3. Piruz
    May 11, 2022
    10
    FU my save, near the end, it's 4 years back save. Without a doubt it was the best ARPG even 4 years ago. Nothing near this exp. Torchlight 2 is kinda 8-9/10, but worse than that, Torchligh 1 is a garbage, D2 is legendary but outdated, D3 is bad, Borderlands Series is very different, but still average(cause it includes many game design flaws), Grim Dawn was hard for me to undestand(and toFU my save, near the end, it's 4 years back save. Without a doubt it was the best ARPG even 4 years ago. Nothing near this exp. Torchlight 2 is kinda 8-9/10, but worse than that, Torchligh 1 is a garbage, D2 is legendary but outdated, D3 is bad, Borderlands Series is very different, but still average(cause it includes many game design flaws), Grim Dawn was hard for me to undestand(and to finish the game) but i've got bunch of positive emotions(and positive only), so it is hard to say. This game probably the biggest hidden gem, i've ever seen. This game is a masterpiece. True blessing. Funny review bombing from idiots, warm hello from Russia)… Expand
  4. Paraselene
    Jun 29, 2020
    9
    Finished my run through the story campaign with the Rogue class after 10 hours.

    That was quite a fun and novel ARPG experience and a pretty big love letter to Diablo 2. Flexiscope run time customization is unique and something I haven't seen before, interesting and helpful feature! Some minor gripes with certain mechanics here and there (immunities lasting way too long at times) and    Finished my run through the story campaign with the Rogue class after 10 hours.

    That was quite a fun and novel ARPG experience and a pretty big love letter to Diablo 2.
    Flexiscope run time customization is unique and something I haven't seen before, interesting and helpful feature!
    Some minor gripes with certain mechanics here and there (immunities lasting way too long at times) and the fact that you can't customize your character visually.
    All in all, I can definitely recommend this game if you wanna play an unconventional hack 'n slash RPG. On top of that, Roguelite mode, superhot mode, tons of difficulties to unlock and mini challenges ensure replayability if that's your thing.

    Note: You can ignore the deckbuilding/card aspect of this game and treat them like active/passive skills instead. They're only cards in appearance.    … Expand
  5. Redwheel
    Aug 20, 2020
    9
    This game, like good old RPG is very great and well managed. You can choose from several classes. But there can be more classes to play with, artifacts drains mana, yes they wanted make it harder and not that easy. I aprecciate that. Dungeons ale very good, filled with variants of monsters and you can even choose how long you want to play... Interesting systems there. And Npcs haveThis game, like good old RPG is very great and well managed. You can choose from several classes. But there can be more classes to play with, artifacts drains mana, yes they wanted make it harder and not that easy. I aprecciate that. Dungeons ale very good, filled with variants of monsters and you can even choose how long you want to play... Interesting systems there. And Npcs have interesting story, good to listen and read. Even that Sage have Deckards Caine voice from Diablo , good idea of developers. So many bosses there, each one is somehow unique. And all of the enemies are not just typical same, and boring. Each have own system to fight. Very enjoyable. There are even a peace of humour there, just like one of the most achievements. Especially that one with a crows, singing to the winter. Good point. Little challenging to find out how to obtain it. Click in the correct order. But, if you concentrate you can make it. There is option to finish level on the 100 % what is big plus for me. You can the be rewarded with bonus points after complete stages. Good satisfying feeling. Not just card game, cards are just spells to use, like items. Interesting option from developers. But good..... In the hell are brand new enemies. Very challening. it can be seen that the developers did not fool the game and added a lot of detail. Each enemy has a description of what is a big plus, and it adds the right feeling to the game and draws you more into the story. Its well based with how you pass levels, game become harder and harder. Bosses are thougher, new types of enemies appears, just like good old games. But this game is sure not old game. It have new look and pretty different look to other card games. Card RPG dungeon game like this, is great. Im giving high rating, like 9,2… Expand
  6. Tabbou
    Jun 1, 2022
    8
    Nice game the only bad thing is that u can't move outside the tracks, wich is really frustrating, anyway it's a nice pick for
  7. Overdonderd
    Apr 18, 2022
    10
    Ignore all the bitter Russians review bombing this and crying "gAmEs OuT oF pOlItIcs" while their country is literally bombing civilians.

    **** Putin. Glory to Ukraine.
  8. Kamuflaro
    Apr 13, 2022
    10
    I have all 202 achievements and I :archducklove: the game. The game is complete but the devs are still around. Playing the game for 45 minutes is enough time to evaluate whether you like it or not.
  9. felkE
    Dec 26, 2018
    10
    game of the year 2018.diablo + new elements and gameplay I recommend.like the funny
  10. cogdotnet
    Dec 15, 2018
    8
    The Book of Demons is the first of the Return2Games franchise set in a world of complex mazes and levels of hordes of enemies. Unlike the typical hack’n’slash though, it rewards players who are smart and tactical, with varying degrees of play with the card and class systems. Despite it’s cheerful and paper aesthetic, it is quite dark and a very unique world. I truly recommend this for fansThe Book of Demons is the first of the Return2Games franchise set in a world of complex mazes and levels of hordes of enemies. Unlike the typical hack’n’slash though, it rewards players who are smart and tactical, with varying degrees of play with the card and class systems. Despite it’s cheerful and paper aesthetic, it is quite dark and a very unique world. I truly recommend this for fans of hack’n’slash games, or for those that like to try creative works of art.… Expand
  11. CarlosZaldivar
    Dec 23, 2018
    8
    it has an original way of being simple, yet fun and engaging. i didnt expect much of it, because i dont usually like this little simple games, but it really surprised me and im hooked
  12. BLADELING
    Dec 19, 2018
    10
    Book of Demons is a game purportedly inspired by the first Diablo.
    It is not a card game, cards are objects and skills. It's an ARPG with some roguelike mechanics and so much freedom in building a style of play.
    The demo offers a first taste, but remember: the real game begins after finishing the main story (10 hours). At that point you have a lot of cards (not all) and start refining    Book of Demons is a game purportedly inspired by the first Diablo.
    It is not a card game, cards are objects and skills. It's an ARPG with some roguelike mechanics and so much freedom in building a style of play.
    The demo offers a first taste, but remember: the real game begins after finishing the main story (10 hours). At that point you have a lot of cards (not all) and start refining your style of play. If you click casually, you will die soon. Because enemies have certain mechanics that must be taken into account. Try it! It costs nothing! Now I appreciate the ARPG again thanks to BoD.    … Expand
  13. Trolololo
    Dec 17, 2018
    9
    Interesting, fresh indie game. I recommend this one. Good music, art, gamplay.
  14. Snarkk
    Dec 9, 2019
    8
    Et bien, quelle agréable surprise !

    Book of Demons est un de mes coups de coeur au niveau jeu indé. Il réalise un petit tour de force : allier l'hommage appuyé au père du Hack'n'Slash - Diablo - avec un gameplay très bon, différent du hack'n'slash habituel sans pour autant dénaturer le genre, bien au contraire ! Concrètement, Book of Demons est la première partie d'un projet un peu    Et bien, quelle agréable surprise !

    Book of Demons est un de mes coups de coeur au niveau jeu indé. Il réalise un petit tour de force : allier l'hommage appuyé au père du Hack'n'Slash - Diablo - avec un gameplay très bon, différent du hack'n'slash habituel sans pour autant dénaturer le genre, bien au contraire !

    Concrètement, Book of Demons est la première partie d'un projet un peu barjo : sept livres, pour autant de "jeux hommages". Dans ce monde... de papier, vous pouvez incarner trois classes de personnages afin de trucider l'Archidémon en personne, qui menace le monde des vivants.

    Vous êtes rapidement conviés à vous installer au village - votre camp de base - habité par quatre personnages qui en rappellent furieusement d'autres... ces PNJ vous aideront à progresser dans votre aventure : identification et amélioration des cartes, récupération de bonus contre monnaie sonnante et trébuchante, remise à niveau de vos orbes de santé et de mana, recharge des objets... et encore quelques autres. Non content d'aligner les références dans les dialogues avec ces personnages, les haltes au village sont des moments bienvenus avant de se lancer à l'assaut du coeur du jeu : le poutrage en règle des hordes démoniaques.

    Dans des décors générés procéduralement et à la manière d'un dungeon crawler, vous allez descendre de plus en plus profond au travers des "actes" du jeu. Ce sera l'occasion de paramétrer la durée de votre partie, petit détail trèèèès agréable. L'enchaînement des parties plus ou moins longues vous permet de débloquer les "paliers" des actes, ainsi que les boss correspondants.

    On commence le jeu plus ou moins à poil, avant de ramasser nos premières cartes, qui sont une version revisitée de ce bon vieux loot d'équipement. Vous êtes du genre looteur compulsif ? Alors vous serez un chouïa déçu. Néanmoins, chaque carte qui permet de composer votre deck se décline en plusieurs variantes mais aussi plusieurs qualités, charge à vous de les améliorer. Simple au premier abord, ce système de compétences n'a RIEN de simpliste, puisqu'il laisse vite entrevoir les innombrables possibilités de customisation de decks. Si vous adorez l'optimisation dans un hack'n'slash, vous allez être servis. Pas forcément nécessaire dans les niveaux de difficulté les plus tranquilles, l'optimisation deviendra indispensable dès qu'on passera aux choses sérieuses.

    Alors je parle, je parle... mais est-ce que c'est fun au moins ? Et bien oui, clairement. Le jeu a capturé l'essence même du hack'n'slash, sans chichi et sans flonflon. On nettoie chaque zone de fond en comble pour ramasser le plus de loot ou d'or possible, et on le fait avec plaisir, tant le gameplay est aux **** oignons.

    Graphiquement, rien de fou. La patte du jeu est bien présente. J'apprécie le level design, même s'il est relativement simpliste. Ca manque un chouïa de détails pour rendre les environnements plus pêchus, mais globalement j'y trouve mon compte. De plus, tout est clair et visible, ce qui me semble primordial dans un jeu du genre. Prenez Grim Dawn en comparaison : oui c'est "beau", comparé aux standards du genre. Mais ce n'est ni aussi lisible, ni aussi fluide qu'un Book of Demons. Et dans un hack'n'slash, je préfère largement la lisibilité et la fluidité à de jolis effets de lumière qui me pourrissent la vue alors que j'ai une centaine de mobs affichés à l'écran.

    Niveau musique, ambiance et bruitages, c'est tout à fait correct sans être marquant. Un bon point tout de même. Le jeu dégage une saveur assez unique en son genre : entre les hommages appuyés et ironiques - mais jamais lourdingues- et les références pop culture - de votre guerrier qui chantonne The Doors ou qui cite Game of Thrones - il y a de quoi sourire tout au long de votre périple...

    En résumé, je vous le recommande chaudement. Pas exempt de tout reproches, principalement par rapport à son genre, Book of Demons offre tout de même une expérience de jeu solide et amusante. Mieux encore, il offre aux joueurs un véritable hack'n'slash, à la fois novateur et fidèle aux origines, sans prétention et pourtant avec brio. Pour un jeu indé à petit prix, c'est du tout bon.

    Enfin, je terminerai en disant que non, ce n'est pas un Slay The Spire, même si les deux jeux se ressemblent sur certains points. Si je devais choisir entre les deux, je vous suggèrerai Book of Demons, plus fun et tout aussi porteur en terme de rejouabilité.    … Expand
  15. Kroxsman
    Aug 13, 2022
    9
    Вот за что я люблю инди проекты, так это за то что они не боятся экспериментировать и зачастую выходят очень любопытные игры. Интересная убивалка времени с довольно высокой реиграбельностью. Здесь вам предстоит ходить по строго отведенным дорожкам, что усложняет вам маневрирование, и находить подход к уничтожению разных противников. А в качестве фишки игры выступают карты, которые могутВот за что я люблю инди проекты, так это за то что они не боятся экспериментировать и зачастую выходят очень любопытные игры. Интересная убивалка времени с довольно высокой реиграбельностью. Здесь вам предстоит ходить по строго отведенным дорожкам, что усложняет вам маневрирование, и находить подход к уничтожению разных противников. А в качестве фишки игры выступают карты, которые могут как наложить на вас бафы, так и сделать противнику больно.… Expand
  16. Thyrvi
    Oct 13, 2022
    9
    love it! great indi game. low graphic but many fun. Perfect for chill and watch something besides.
  17. Big_Pisya
    Jan 3, 2023
    10
    Thank you for helping Ukraine in such a difficult time! I hope the Russian zombies didn't bother you much))
  18. o1nk
    Jun 19, 2023
    9
    Отличный проект, который позволяет окунуться в прекрасный фэнтезийный мир. Рофлы над Diablo, просто фановые моменты внутри игры, куча активностей для удержания игрока, минимализм и забота об игроке.
    Однозначно советую.

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Most Discussed PC Game of 2018
56
#56 Most Shared PC Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 28
  3. Negative: 2 out of 28
  1. GameGrin
    Apr 30, 2020
    40
    Book of Demons is hard to recommend to either casual and hardcore players. Instead of being a simpler dungeon crawling experience that newcomers could enjoy, it’s instead bland and unintuitive. You’re better off trying out already established ARPGs, while waiting for the upcoming releases of Diablo IV and Torchlight III that are looking to offer far more interesting gameplay.
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  2. Gaming Nexus
    Mar 5, 2020
    80
    Book of Demons is a fun Diablo-like game, but some of the mechanics might be a turnoff for others. Movement is locked to set paths while enemies are free to roam around and there is no equipment as cards represent spells, items, and artifacts in the game. That said, there is still quite a bit to like about Book of Demons as there is a good amount of strategy to employ if you want to survive. However, the price tag might be a bit much given the restrictions some of the mechanics place on you.
    Read full review
  3. CD-Action
    Mar 25, 2019
    80
    A highly addictive hack’n’slash with great art direction and many small but really good gameplay ideas. The developers wear their inspirations on their sleeve, so you can almost hear the game shout “Yes, this is Diablo! Yup, it’s Tristram! Don’t pretend you don’t remember!”. [02/2019, p.36]
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