Book of Demons

About Book of Demons

Book of Demons is a mid-core action RPG that blends deck-building strategy with hack-and-slash combat. Developed by Thing Trunk and released in December 2018, it leans into the dark, gritty vibe of classic PC ARPGs. You’ll explore procedurally generated dungeons across three underground realms, battling 70+ monster types with unique behaviors. The game supports roguelike difficulty, leaderboards, and 200 achievements. Available on PS4, PC, Xbox, Switch, and Mac, it’s positioned as the first entry in the Return 2 Games series, aiming to revive the spirit of 90s PC adventures.

Gameplay

You build a deck of cards representing weapons, spells, and abilities, combining them to create a combat style. Each session involves navigating randomly generated floors, slaying enemies, and upgrading your deck with loot. The roguelike mode adds permadeath stakes, while optional boss fights and quest lines extend replayability. Controls are straightforward, mouse/keyboard or controller support works well, but the real challenge lies in balancing your deck’s synergy and resource management. Sessions typically last 30, 60 minutes, though longer runs are common in higher difficulty. The game’s pace is brisk, with a focus on quick, tactical decisions during combat.

What Players Think

Community ratings on PlayPile average 7.5/10, with Metacritic at 72. Players report an average playtime of 15 hours, and 78% complete the base game. The mood is split: 62% “engaged,” 28% “frustrated,” and 10% “bored.” Common praise includes the roguelike depth and variety of enemy mechanics, while critics note repetitive dungeon design and a steep difficulty curve. Achievements (200 total) are seen as a strong motivator, with 42% of players earning over 100. Forum threads highlight leaderboards as a divisive feature, some call them “addictive,” others “unfair.”

PlayPile's Take

Book of Demons is a niche pick for fans of deck-building and roguelike mechanics, priced at $29.99. Its 72 Metacritic score reflects solid execution with clear flaws: the core loop is rewarding, but grind-heavy progression and uneven difficulty may deter casual players. With 200 achievements and leaderboards, it’s a long-term commitment for completionists. Skip if you prefer open worlds or story-driven RPGs. For $30, it’s a decent test of skill for fans of retro-inspired challenge.

Storyline

- Procedurally Generated Dungeons - Roguelike Mode for fans of extreme challenge - 70+ different types of monsters, with different traits and custom mechanics - Xbox and Steam controller support - 3 underground realms and epic Quest Boss battles - Monthly and all-time Leaderboards, 200+ Achievements Book of Demons is the first installment of Return 2 Games - a series of original mid-core titles, inspired by the early golden days of PC gaming.