Black Book

About Black Book

Morteshka released Black Book in August 2021 on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac, and iOS. This title mixes adventure storytelling with turn-based card strategy. You play as Vasilisa, a young sorceress whose life falls apart when her fiancé dies mysteriously. She hunts the Black Book, a demonic artifact that grants wishes if you seal its seven locks. The game draws heavy inspiration from Russian folklore and dark fairy tales. It stands out by swapping traditional combat for a card-driven system where you summon spirits to fight demons. This single-player experience launched in 2021 and has since gathered attention for its unique art style and narrative depth.

Gameplay

Sessions revolve around exploring the countryside on foot or via carriage while managing a hand of spirit cards. You encounter enemies during random battles that function as tactical card duels rather than real-time action. Each card represents a demon or saint with specific stats like health, speed, and mana cost. You must play them strategically to deplete enemy health bars before they do the same to you. Between fights, you solve puzzles, make dialogue choices, and interact with villagers to uncover plot points. The game tracks your progress through seven seals that unlock new story chapters. Controls feel responsive on PC or console, allowing quick card plays without frustration. You spend most of your time planning your deck composition to handle different enemy types effectively.

What Players Think

Critics gave this title solid marks, with Metacritic sitting at 78 out of 100. PlayPile data shows an average achievement unlock rate of just 18 percent across fifty total trophies. The rarest challenge is "Word Master," which only 2.00 percent of players have earned. This low completion number suggests the game demands significant dedication or offers hidden mechanics that stump many users. Community reviews often praise the atmosphere while noting the difficulty spikes in later card battles. Players report spending around twenty hours to finish the main story, though some go much longer chasing collectibles. The mood leans toward contemplative and slightly grim, matching the dark Russian folklore setting. Most players agree the narrative holds up better than typical indie RPGs.

PlayPile's Take

Black Book is worth buying if you enjoy turn-based strategy mixed with heavy storytelling elements. The price has dropped to $8.74 at its historical low on stores like Humble Store, making it a budget-friendly option. You should expect a challenging run given the 18 percent average achievement rate. This game suits players who want a narrative-driven experience without fast reflexes. Avoid this if you dislike managing card decks or reading long dialogue trees. The seven seals offer a clear goal, but the journey requires patience and strategic thinking rather than speed.

Storyline

A fusion of card-based RPGs and Adventure games, “Black Book” is a haunting tale of a young sorceress, who gave her life to serve the dark forces. Dive into the cold, yet alluring world of Russian folktales – and uncover the secrets that hide in the darkness. 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. Join Vasilisa in her adventures across Russian countryside, as she solves the woes of common folk by confronting demons and performing exorcisms.