Bookbound Brigade
- January 30, 2020
- Digital Tales USA LLC
An enjoyable Metroidvania with some significant issues. It's not easy to navigate and the combat is subpar, but the formation shifting and late game upgrades make it easier to keep turning the pages
Get on Steam"Bookbound Brigade" is a Metroidvania-style game where you lead a party of classic literary and historical characters through a 2D side-scrolling adventure. Each character has their own traits and skills, and you must work together to battle enemies and solve puzzles. Meet familiar faces, such as King Arthur and Robin Hood, as well as less well-known characters in this unique take on the genre.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game features a unique concept of playing as various literary figures, which adds an interesting twist to the gameplay.
- The art style is beautifully drawn, with vibrant environments and cute character designs that enhance the overall experience.
- The environmental puzzles and level designs are challenging and well thought out, providing a sense of accomplishment when completed.
- The controls are unresponsive and floaty, making platforming frustrating and difficult to navigate.
- The game suffers from poor map design and confusing navigation, leading to a lack of clear objectives and direction.
- Combat mechanics are subpar, often resulting in tedious encounters with enemies that detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- story4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story has been described as generic and forgettable, with repetitive elements that detract from the overall experience. However, some users appreciate the cool concept behind the narrative, suggesting potential that isn't fully realized.
“The story has a cool concept.”
“The storytelling is very generic.”
“The soundtrack is forgettable.”
“Our heroes make repetitive sounds as you platform around, and it overstays its welcome after a few hours.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its engaging concept of controlling various literary figures and utilizing a group mechanic reminiscent of The Wonderful 101, allowing players to maneuver a collective unit. Overall, the characters are enjoyable, and the gameplay is considered solid.
“The concept is great, playing as numerous literary figures, and the group mechanic is somewhat akin to The Wonderful 101, where you move a whole group at once.”
“The characters are enjoyable and the gameplay, on the whole, is sound.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game is largely considered forgettable, with a generic soundtrack that fails to enhance the storytelling. Players note that the repetitive sound effects from the characters become tiresome after a few hours of gameplay.
“The soundtrack is forgettable.”
“The storytelling is very generic.”
“The heroes make repetitive sounds while you platform around, and it overstays its welcome after a few hours.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's replayability due to its challenging gameplay, beautifully drawn world, and diverse cast of characters, making it an engaging experience worth revisiting. Additionally, its affordability enhances the incentive to replay.
“The game features a challenging and beautifully drawn world with a diverse cast of characters, making it highly replayable.”
“With its affordable price and engaging gameplay, the replayability factor keeps me coming back for more.”
“The diverse cast of characters and beautifully crafted environments ensure that each playthrough feels fresh and exciting.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of Bookbound Brigade are praised for their humor, art style, and world design; however, issues with unresponsive formation changes and poor map design detract from the overall experience.
Critic Reviews
Bookbound Brigade review
An enjoyable Metroidvania with some significant issues. It's not easy to navigate and the combat is subpar, but the formation shifting and late game upgrades make it easier to keep turning the pages
60%Bookbound Brigade (Nintendo Switch)
Bookbound Brigade had the potential to be a good or even great game. Unfortunately, it fell victim to being dull and obnoxiously difficult. If the new take on the Metroidvania genre is being as boring and frustrating as possible then Bookbound Brigade met it’s goal. I would suggest saving your money to buy the book of the character you find the least interesting. Reading it would probably be more enjoyable than playing this game.
40%Bookbound Brigade GBAtemp review
A solid game but arguably so. The story is not particularly great. Platforming sections range from great to artificially difficult and obnoxious. I would like to give the score a little higher but given that I ran into session ending bugs that forced me to reset the game a few times I believe I have to be cautious and dock its score a bit as I do not know how widespread the issues may be for those willing to buy the game and try it out.
65%
