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The Book of Distance

97%Game Brain Score
story, emotional
atmosphere
97% User Score Based on 238 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindows
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About

The Book of Distance blends techniques from mechanical sculpture, film, and stage to redefine personal storytelling in virtual reality. Family archives add a haunting layer of realism. 2D and 3D hand-crafted sets reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints, evocative character design, and seamless choreography combine with surprising moments of interaction to gently whisk us across the ocean and thro…

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
The Book of Distance screenshot
The Book of Distance screenshot
The Book of Distance screenshot
The Book of Distance screenshot
The Book of Distance screenshot

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 238 reviews
story70 positive mentions
atmosphere2 negative mentions
  • The Book of Distance is a beautifully told and emotionally impactful story that effectively uses VR to enhance the narrative experience.
  • The interactive elements, while limited, are well-integrated and contribute to a deeply personal and engaging storytelling experience.
  • This VR experience serves as a powerful reminder of historical injustices, making it an important and touching tribute to the author's family history.
  • Some users experienced technical issues, such as difficulty with interactions and scene transitions, which detracted from the overall experience.
  • The experience is relatively short, lasting around 30 minutes, which may leave some players wanting more content.
  • The game is not a traditional game but rather a narrative-driven experience, which may not appeal to those looking for more interactive gameplay.
  • story
    154 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story is widely praised for its emotional depth and personal resonance, particularly as it recounts the experiences of a Japanese grandfather during WWII internment camps in Canada. Reviewers highlight its immersive VR storytelling, which combines beautiful visuals and interactive elements to create a powerful narrative experience that leaves a lasting impact. Overall, it is regarded as a masterful example of how VR can effectively convey poignant and important stories.

    • “This is a masterpiece of VR storytelling!”
    • “The book of distance is a beautifully told story that left me sitting on the floor in contemplation and tears.”
    • “Moving, touching, and an incredible story, all of the elements come together here to create something wholly unique and original.”
    • “Regardless of how well done the narrative, story and presentation might be, this has been erroneously published on Steam in the games section instead of the software section.”
    • “If you are looking for an intense storyline/adventure, then this is not a game for you.”
    • “Keep in mind that this story is a sad one.”
  • emotional
    68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with many players describing the story as touching, heartbreaking, and beautifully crafted. Users report experiencing deep emotional responses, including tears, as the narrative effectively utilizes VR to enhance its impact. The game is praised for its engaging storytelling, personal connections, and the ability to evoke empathy through its portrayal of historical injustices.

    • “The end result is a beautiful, heartfelt experience that isn't only a great show, but is one of the most important pieces of media I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing.”
    • “An engaging, emotional experience that asks universal questions while telling a deeply personal story.”
    • “This VR experience is not only emotionally successful, it's strikingly innovative in its form of VR storytelling.”
  • graphics
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics are widely praised for their beautiful, vibrant, and crisp visuals, complemented by a well-executed art style that enhances the storytelling experience. While some users note the limited interaction and a slightly cartoony depiction of serious themes, the overall execution of lighting, mechanics, and pacing contributes to an immersive and emotionally engaging atmosphere. The combination of stylized visuals and audio creates a compelling narrative that resonates with players.

    • “The graphics were very beautiful, vibrant and crisp.”
    • “This is immersive theater at its finest with good looking stylized visuals, emotional story and player interactions interwoven into narrative.”
    • “Beautiful visuals, and runs pretty flawless on my 1070.”
    • “Always a bit undercut by the cartoony depictions of internment and 1930s Japan, the mix of audio, softened visuals, hard facts, and personal tales still work as a whole though.”
  • atmosphere
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its captivating environments and emotional impact, with many players noting that the ambient elements can evoke strong feelings. However, some criticism is directed at the character animations, which are described as somewhat stiff. Overall, the atmosphere effectively draws players in from the very beginning.

    • “The character animations are a little stiff, but the environments and overall atmosphere are very well done.”
    • “The first 3 minutes when I played this, the atmosphere just captured my attention and it made me tear up because of the ambient.”
  • music
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is highly praised, with users noting that it complements the visuals and art style effectively, contributing to an overall immersive storytelling experience.

    • “The visuals, art style, music, and storytelling are all on point.”
    • “The music perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.”
    • “The soundtrack is incredibly immersive, making every moment feel more impactful.”
  • gameplay
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is praised for its excellent execution, with well-designed mechanics, pacing, and lighting, despite the simplicity of the graphics.

    • “Even with the simple graphics, everything is so well executed; from lighting, mechanics, pacing, everything.”

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