Book of Demons

Book of Demons is both an excellent tribute to Diablo and a great ARPG on its own.

83%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

grinding, monetization

90% User Score Based on 3,927 reviews

Critic Score 77%Based on 13 reviews

Platforms

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About

Book of Demons is a single player casual hack and slash game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Thing Trunk and was released on December 13, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Book of Demons" is a Hack & Slash game with a unique card-based combat system, where you determine the quest length. Fight against the armies of darkness in procedurally generated dungeons and defeat the Archdemon to save the Paperverse. The game features Warrior, Rogue, and Mage classes, with a Supporter's Pack available for additional support and perks.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,927 reviews

gameplay459 positive mentions

grinding117 negative mentions

Unique art style reminiscent of paper craft, creating a charming atmosphere.
Engaging gameplay with a mix of card mechanics and traditional ARPG elements, allowing for strategic decision-making.
Flexibility in session length lets players tailor their experience based on available time, enhancing accessibility.

Movement is restricted to predetermined paths, limiting player agency and making dodging projectiles frustrating.
Combat can become repetitive and tedious, especially with the reliance on clicking and the lack of depth in enemy mechanics.
The game lacks a compelling story and character development, making it feel shallow despite its charming presentation.

gameplay
1,313 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
59%
6%
The gameplay of "Book of Demons" is characterized by its unique blend of card mechanics and traditional hack-and-slash elements, offering a streamlined experience that appeals to both casual and hardcore players. While many players appreciate the innovative mechanics and charming art style, some criticize the repetitive nature and clunky movement, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. The game features a flexible session length mechanic, allowing players to tailor their gameplay experience, but the reliance on on-rails movement and certain frustrating mechanics can lead to mixed feelings about its long-term engagement.
- “The game has a variety of gameplay options and mechanics and is also very player-friendly.”
- “The mechanics are simple yet enough for me to have fun.”
- “The gameplay is very easy to pick up and it is the kind of game that rewards the building of a strategy to make the gameplay more rewarding and see you through combat in more difficult stages.”
- “But it's not, movement is very slow and clunky and most of the mechanics are more annoying than anything else.”
- “The gameplay is boring, very repetitive and grindy.”
- “The worst offender of them all becomes the stun mechanic which forces you to catch several wandering stars in order to take any action in the game again, all the while the enemies are killing you... horribly.”
graphics
711 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
48%
2%
The graphics of "Book of Demons" are characterized by a unique papercraft aesthetic that draws comparisons to classic titles like Diablo, blending humor and charm into its design. While many players appreciate the originality and visual appeal of the art style, some find it simplistic or unappealing, leading to mixed opinions on its overall impact on immersion and gameplay. Overall, the visuals are well-executed and contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, though they may not resonate with everyone.
- “I love the art style, and the gameplay has me coming back to play it again and again.”
- “The graphics are delightful, the game is tons of fun--not too easy, not too hard!”
- “The paper graphics work nicely.”
- “Graphics are laughable.”
- “The graphics are cute but, just like the 'card game' aspect, the paper cutout style doesn't really add much to its uniqueness, and overall these design aspects feel gimmicky and just thought out as an effort to stand out.”
- “The graphics may be hard to get used to for some people but the atmosphere is definitely there.”
story
389 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
73%
4%
The story in "Book of Demons" is primarily a lighthearted parody of the original Diablo, featuring familiar plot elements and characters but presented in a whimsical, paper-cutout style. While some players appreciate the humor and charm, many criticize the narrative for being shallow and derivative, lacking depth and originality. Overall, the storytelling is seen as functional and entertaining, but not groundbreaking, serving mainly to support the gameplay rather than stand on its own.
- “The story is immersive and well told in a way I have not heard before.”
- “Great story and narrative from NPCs, really relaxing and chilled to play.”
- “The story and characters are fun homages to the originals but the gameplay is all think trunk.”
- “Remember there is nothing of substance here... story, characters,... nothing here matters beyond the repetitive gameplay loop.”
- “The story is the weakest part of this game, something that you will not remember at all.”
- “The story might as well be nonexistent.”
humor
207 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is a mix of clever, quirky, and sometimes juvenile elements, often drawing on pop culture references and nostalgic nods to the Diablo series. While many players appreciate the lighthearted tone and find the humor engaging, others feel it can be hit-or-miss, with some jokes falling flat or relying on potty humor. Overall, the game successfully balances its comedic aspects with gameplay, creating an enjoyable experience for those who appreciate its whimsical approach.
- “An interesting mixture of CCG and hack'n'slash with clever graphic design and a cute sense of humor.”
- “The dialogues and the story have a great sense of humor; I wish there would be more.”
- “The game is humorous and full of character.”
- “Repetitive, not funny at all and not nearly as special as it pretends.”
- “Starts you off with some humor that is a little cringey but enjoyable.”
music
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
48%
2%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric quality and nostalgic ties to classic titles like Diablo, while others find it somewhat dull or repetitive. The soundtrack is often described as well-produced and fitting for the game's mood, featuring memorable tracks, especially the notable song at the end. Overall, the audio design, including sound effects and voice acting, is generally regarded as top-notch, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
- “The art style and music of this game create a really good atmosphere that I can't wait to get back to every day.”
- “The music fits the game; it is perhaps not so epic as in the Diablo games, but well enough.”
- “The creature comforts remove a lot of the typical tedium in ARPGs, the papercraft style art direction oozes personality, and all aspects of the audio (voice acting, sounds, music) are top notch.”
- “The music is pretty dull.”
- “The music is lackluster and the gameplay is barebones and very basic.”
- “The music is somewhat forgettable.”
grinding
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is largely viewed as tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the lack of engaging content and monotonous gameplay. While some players appreciate the potential for character upgrades and achievements, the overall sentiment leans towards grinding being a significant drawback, making the experience feel more like a chore than enjoyable gameplay. Those who dislike grinding are particularly vocal about their dissatisfaction, suggesting that the game may only appeal to a niche audience that enjoys extensive grinding mechanics.
- “Uninstalled after the first grindy hour.”
- “It's really monotonous and tedious after an hour; the only positive thing I can say is that the devs are upfront on how much time the game is going to waste as you select a size to generate the dungeons. Even with the smallest size, however, they become repetitive and boring fast.”
- “The difficulty, while generally appropriately curved, can be lacking, and this, coupled with a level design that's quite repetitive and a fairly simplistic approach to encounters, means that I found myself just settling into a grindy mouse-mashing exercise that didn't bring much in terms of expectations for the next level.”
replayability
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
48%
3%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, largely due to randomly generated dungeons, multiple character classes, and various difficulty levels. Players appreciate the ability to explore different playstyles and strategies, although some express concerns about potential boredom after completing the campaign. The combination of achievements, free play modes, and customization options further enhances the game's replay value, making it appealing for both casual and hardcore gamers.
- “Dungeons are random so it's cool for replayability and you have 3 classes to master, so a lot of fun to be had.”
- “Amazing art style, solid dungeon crawler gameplay, infinite replayability, and overall very fun.”
- “The game features leaderboards, achievements, trading cards, a good campaign, and good replayability.”
- “I have just completed the game in 15 hours as the warrior. I could replay it as a mage or rogue, but I'm not sure the replay value is there. That said, the 15-hour campaign was excellent and well worthwhile, particularly if you pick it up in a sale.”
- “I stopped before freeplay because by the end of hell and killing the archdemon, I did not feel like continuing with my skills or setup, which feels wrong considering it's an aspect that adds replayability to the game.”
- “The game is very linear in path choice and doesn't seem to have much replay value compared to similar dungeon crawlers.”
atmosphere
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
38%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is a blend of nostalgic homage to the original Diablo, featuring a dark yet lighthearted tone that appeals to both casual players and hardcore fans. While some reviewers appreciate the charming paper art style and immersive sound design, others criticize it for lacking the depth and intensity of the original's atmosphere. Overall, the game successfully evokes a unique and engaging environment, though opinions vary on its effectiveness compared to its inspirations.
- “The art style and music of this game create a really good atmosphere that I can't wait to get back to every day.”
- “The incredible paper/cardboard art and atmosphere gels with the gameplay mechanics so well!”
- “This game just oozes atmosphere.”
- “It's completely lacking atmosphere and based on its very grindy gameplay.”
- “What is quite obviously a ported mobile game, feels extremely restrictive, has extremely minimal animations, extremely basic and repetitive combat, and a bland and generic atmosphere and world.”
- “The game is Diablo 1 with no atmosphere, more clicking and funky book-graphics.”
monetization
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
23%
65%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over in-game advertisements for other titles, especially given the game's purchase price. While some appreciate the absence of microtransactions and loot boxes, others feel that the presence of ads detracts from the overall experience, leading to a perception of the game as a cash grab despite its quality. Overall, players are divided on whether the monetization strategy enhances or undermines their enjoyment of the game.
- “No shady monetization schemes, no skill cards for premium gems, nothing of that nonsense.”
- “But it's also a highly polished and beautiful game, and the devs went a long way to make it really well presented, and it doesn’t have any dubious monetization practices.”
- “In an age where we are surrounded by microtransactions, this is more than a welcome gift to us all.”
- “Game is ok, advertising other games inside of a game I paid for is not ok.”
- “I didn't pay money for the game just to have it show me ads.”
- “If this cost as much as a standard mobile game (less than 5 bucks) I'd recommend it, because it is a good game, but in-game self-advertising for a 20 dollar game is just not something I can recommend, even if the gameplay is good.”
stability
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
8%
57%
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many users reporting no significant bugs or glitches, and smooth performance even on lower-end hardware. However, some players have experienced minor issues, such as frame rate drops and occasional glitches that can affect gameplay, particularly during challenging moments. Despite these concerns, the consensus is that the game runs well and is enjoyable, especially for a title still in beta.
- “Good looking and bug free as far as I can tell.”
- “Also, no glitches so far, seems very stable.”
- “The game runs great on a 6-year-old lower-mid-range desktop gaming rig.”
- “Yes, there are some small bugs and glitches, but so far, I have run into nothing even close to game-breaking or rage-inducing.”
- “FPS drops - despite having a PC that is way ahead of requirements (8GB RAM, GTX 760, and FX 8350), the game almost freezes at many moments (especially the 2nd boss).”
- “Second: there were a lot of glitches that made certain deaths feel cheap and unfair for people trying to do deathless runs.”
optimization
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
59%
14%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players appreciating features that enhance gameplay, such as session length customization and exploration indicators. While some users report minor performance issues during intense moments, particularly with many enemies on screen, the game is largely considered stable and bug-free, running smoothly even on lower-end hardware. However, there are calls for further optimization to improve performance consistency.
- “The biggest thing that made me love the game was the amount of really great optimization for the player, things like the game telling you when you've fully explored a path so you don't feel the need to walk to every corner to search for loot, or the ability to create game sessions of certain lengths so it's easy to drop in and drop out at will.”
- “Performance-wise, this game shouldn't be too taxing on any computer, the paper aesthetic doesn't demand much, but the effects, such as fire on the ground, multiple enemies hurling magic at you at once can destroy your FPS entirely, but the game never once crashed on me and I never encountered any game-breaking bug or glitch, which speaks volumes about the polish of this game.”
- “I had a very smooth gameplay experience all the time in the game; it is very much optimized.”
- “This is loot grinding before it became an OCD nightmare of optimized builds.”
- “Performance-wise, this game shouldn't be too taxing on any computer, the paper aesthetic doesn't demand much, I think, but the effects, such as fire on the ground, multiple enemies hurling magic at you at once can destroy your FPS entirely.”
- “On the flip side, Book of Demons itself does have some optimization issues.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a mix of emotions while engaging with the game, experiencing both stress and a sense of accomplishment through inventory management and character builds. While some moments evoke feelings of power and satisfaction, others lead to frustration and shame, particularly when faced with challenging gameplay. However, those seeking a deep emotional narrative may find the game lacking in that aspect, as it focuses more on gameplay mechanics than storytelling.
- “As the mechanics become more fully revealed, you begin to realize that the game is less of a hollow and cheap nerd-reference and more of a heartfelt homage to the PC ARPG genre.”
- “Got to say it really made me feel I got my money's worth when it got me staring at my inventory for minutes on end to tweak the right kind of build.”
- “One run was some pretty good items one after the other that made me feel super strong and the second run was a bunch of useless items that weren't even worth equipping because they were too specific.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the unique character designs and the innovative systems introduced, others find the options limited and uninteresting compared to the dungeon-crawling mechanics. Overall, the game shows potential for growth in this area, especially considering it is still in early access.
- “It's only in early access and it already has a full skeleton and a bit of meat added, unlike many other early access games, a full playable campaign that will take hours and hours to complete, and a very interesting and new system for character development.”
- “Nice dungeon crawler game that has a unique character design theme and game mechanics.”
- “I found the dungeon crawling part better than Darkest Dungeon, but the village and character development is not interesting and very limited.”
- “One thing that would be nicer would be additional character development options.”
- “The character designs are simple enough to not confuse the player, but varied enough to get an idea of what is going on and what to prioritize.”