The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales

The Bookwalker truly made me feel like the driving force of a narrative, with an engaging central relationship and a mystery that kept me turning to the last page.

85%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

replayability, grinding

90% User Score Based on 747 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 8 reviews

Platforms

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About

The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales is a single player role playing game. It was developed by DO MY BEST and was released on June 22, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales" is an adventure game where Etienne Quist, a convicted writer, must steal legendary artifacts from various books to regain his freedom. Each book world has unique rules and challenges, and Quist can persuade, deceive, or combat inhabitants to achieve his goals. Joined by a sentient caged page, Quist explores and reshapes stories in diverse settings like medieval prisons and futuristic spaceships .

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales screenshot

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 747 reviews

story237 positive mentions

grinding9 negative mentions

The story is captivating and keeps players engaged from start to finish.
The unique setting of diving into books and interacting with their worlds is imaginative and well-executed.
The art style is beautiful, with each book world offering distinct visuals and atmospheres.

The gameplay can feel repetitive, with simple puzzles and combat that lacks depth.
Choices often feel inconsequential, leading to a linear narrative experience.
The game is relatively short, leaving players wanting more content and exploration.

story
549 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
55%
2%
The story of "The Bookwalker" is widely praised for its engaging narrative and unique premise, where players dive into various literary worlds to steal plot-relevant items, reflecting on themes of artistic expression and the nature of storytelling. While the overarching plot is linear and choices often feel inconsequential, the rich world-building, character development, and emotional depth keep players invested throughout the experience. Many reviewers appreciate the game's ability to blend different genres and storytelling styles, making it a captivating journey for those who enjoy narrative-driven gameplay.
- “The story is incredibly immersive, with a fascinating premise that kept me engaged from start to finish.”
- “The pacing is strong, the atmosphere is excellent, and the story does a good job of pulling you forward without overstaying its welcome.”
- “The bookwalker is a captivating narrative adventure that lets you dive into book worlds, blending clever puzzles with a compelling story.”
- “The story is okay, but not enough to carry the simple puzzles and barebones combat.”
- “The dialogue choices have no impact on the story, and the game doesn’t even try to hide it.”
- “The story feels a bit fragmented, but the storytelling and pacing are excellent and immersive.”
gameplay
215 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
69%
4%
The gameplay of "The Bookwalker" is primarily a blend of point-and-click adventure mechanics, light turn-based combat, and puzzle-solving, which some players find engaging while others consider it simplistic and linear. While the narrative and world-building are praised for their depth and creativity, many reviews highlight that the gameplay lacks complexity and variety, often feeling repetitive and not challenging enough for those seeking more mechanical depth. Overall, the game is recommended for players who prioritize story-driven experiences over intricate gameplay mechanics.
- “I strongly recommend this game to anyone looking for a deeply immersive experience with a uniquely beautiful world, and a slower-paced and thoughtful gameplay loop.”
- “The transition between first-person exploration in the real world and top-down gameplay inside the books is not just a gimmick; it reinforces the feeling that you’re crossing between realities into these books.”
- “The gameplay is fresh and offers something different from what you typically see in other games.”
- “There's some cool, very conceptually lovely books to visit and a great overall story, but a lack of gameplay elements as you go through the most barebones combat video gaming has to offer and the most one-sided point-and-click use-the-tools puzzler available that squanders any creative thinking, pushing a linear, one-solution answer to all of them.”
- “The main gameplay seems to be 'puzzles' but there is not much puzzling or thinking going on.”
- “Unfortunately, Bookwalker's gameplay suffers from the needless RPG elements and tedious puzzles.”
graphics
96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
48%
3%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their unique art style and beautiful visuals, which enhance the immersive storytelling experience. Players appreciate the cohesive design elements, including lighting and camera perspectives, that contribute to the game's emotional impact. While some noted minor technical issues, the overall aesthetic and artistic presentation are considered standout features that elevate the gameplay.
- “The overall presentation feels cohesive, the kind of design where every aesthetic choice—lighting, camera perspective, soundscape—feeds directly into the narrative’s emotional impact.”
- “The concept of the game is very intriguing, and the art style and worlds are gorgeous.”
- “The graphics and locations are quite beautifully done and are accompanied by an atmospheric, at times ethereal soundtrack.”
- “In reality, it has very little to do with Disco Elysium, apart from the isometric perspective and graphic style.”
- “One last thing that is a little jarring is that the whole thing can feel like a 'tour of the asset store' -- there's a ton of variety, but it's all a bit generic, from the sounds to the visuals.”
- “I was drawn in by the art style and the premise, but I have to say that I'm very disappointed by the game's actual execution of these interesting ideas.”
atmosphere
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
38%
7%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique and immersive qualities, blending melancholic narratives with stunning visuals and soundtracks that enhance the storytelling experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a captivating environment that draws players into its world, despite some criticisms regarding dialogue and character depth. Overall, the atmospheric design is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and emotional impact.
- “An atmospheric, melancholic narrative adventure, crossing genres and slowly unpicking the truth about Etienne and his crimes.”
- “For those who value atmosphere, imagination, and narrative over action, the Bookwalker offers a deeply thoughtful journey through the nature of storytelling itself, where every book is a world and every theft a lesson in what it means to create.”
- “The atmospheric lighting and realistic details in these scenes create a captivating and immersive experience.”
- “The idea and atmosphere seem to have so much potential, but nothing truly interesting seemed to have been done with it.”
- “I really liked the vibe and atmosphere of the first-person real-world segments, and the environmental storytelling in those bits was excellent, but the third-person book segments, gorgeous as they were, were often marred by weak dialogue and uninteresting characters.”
- “However, the music is forgettable and does little to enhance the game's atmosphere.”
music
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
34%
8%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its atmospheric and evocative qualities, describing it as a beautiful accompaniment to the visuals and narrative. However, others find it forgettable or lacking in impact, suggesting that a more dynamic soundtrack or voice acting could enhance immersion. Overall, while the ambient music effectively sets the mood for exploration, its repetitiveness and subtlety may leave some players wanting more.
- “The music is subdued yet evocative, alternating between melancholic piano melodies and ambient tones that immerse you in each setting.”
- “The art is lovely, the writing is delightful, and the music is a wonderful accompaniment.”
- “Amazing narrative experience, with some gorgeous visuals and a pleasant soundtrack and immersive atmosphere.”
- “However, the music is forgettable and does little to enhance the game's atmosphere.”
- “I honestly was so focused on the story and gameplay that I can’t really recall if there was music or not.”
- “What I played was actually really good but it was boring, I think because the sound (or lack thereof), like the soundtrack was okay but nothing that stands out that I remember about it.”
emotional
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its profound storytelling and character development, which resonate deeply with players, evoking genuine feelings throughout the experience. While some moments may lack impact, the overall narrative cohesion and thoughtful design enhance the emotional journey, making it a heartfelt and engaging adventure. Players appreciate the balance of philosophical themes and emotional sincerity, resulting in a touching experience that lingers long after the game ends.
- “At the heart of the Bookwalker is its storytelling, which balances philosophical reflection with emotional sincerity.”
- “The overall presentation feels cohesive, the kind of design where every aesthetic choice—lighting, camera perspective, soundscape—feeds directly into the narrative’s emotional impact.”
- “By the end, I found myself genuinely emotional—partly because of the ending, and partly because I realized I’d have to wait for the sequel.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is widely praised for its wit, clever dialogue, and engaging character interactions, creating a lively and entertaining atmosphere. While some players appreciate the dark humor and imaginative worldbuilding, others note that the repetition of moral dilemmas can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the humor is a standout feature, contributing to memorable moments and a cozy, enjoyable narrative.
- “A must play for those who appreciate cool narrative design, interesting and unusual world, lively characters, a lot of witty humor, and all this in perfectly decorated locations.”
- “Watching him bumble his way through realms and narrowly escape disaster is like watching a cat try to jump on a countertop and miss—it’s hilarious and you secretly root for him anyway.”
- “The protagonists are absolutely lovable and the relationship between them is fantastically crafted with a lot of high-quality humor and memorable moments.”
replayability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the multiple paths and choices that can affect the narrative, many feel that the linear story and short playtime limit its overall replay value. Some users express a desire for more meaningful choices and unlockable content to enhance the experience, suggesting that it may be best enjoyed as a one-time playthrough rather than a game to revisit frequently.
- “I would like to see all the game has to offer, as it is clearly made with replayability in mind, but I'll save that for a later time when I've forgotten most of the story beats.”
- “Multiple paths to objectives make it wonderfully replayable.”
- “Because of the way your choices and actions impact how the game progresses, there is also a lot of replay value, even after you reach the end.”
- “While choices do appear throughout the narrative, the overarching story remains mostly linear, offering limited replayability.”
- “Plus the game is kind of on the short side and replayability for farming all achievements is extremely tedious and uninspiring.”
- “Overall, there is no reason to replay this game because of its lack of replayability, but as a one-time experience, this is a great opportunity for everyone to dive into interesting worlds with a subtle mix of already existing products of art and culture.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
82%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and uninspiring, often requiring repetitive actions for achievements that detract from the overall experience. While some enjoy the story and visuals, the grindy elements, particularly in combat and achievement hunting, are seen as a significant drawback that can make the gameplay feel unnecessarily prolonged.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Crafting that isn't tedious or confusing.”
- “Plus the game is kind of on the short side and replayability for farming all achievements is extremely tedious and uninspiring.”
- “There is also a very grindy achievement that requires you to repeat the beginning of the first level a few times, so you can use ink 20 times.”
- “Unfortunately, Bookwalker's gameplay suffers from the needless RPG elements and tedious puzzles.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
Character development in the game is generally appreciated for its interesting concepts and artistic direction, with many praising the character design. However, some users noted a lack of consistency in character growth, particularly in the main character's abrupt attitude changes between chapters. Overall, while the story and design elements are strong, the depth of character development may leave some players wanting more.
- “I did appreciate the story a lot and the character development along the way.”
- “Great concept, the character design is awesome, and there's just enough story to make you want to see it through.”
- “Very much liked the artistic direction and character design.”
- “The character development between chapters seems to be missing, with the main character switching his attitude towards characters on a dime.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly on devices like the Steam Deck without any noticeable bugs or glitches. However, some players feel it lacks a compelling hook to maintain their interest despite its solid performance.
- “The game runs smoothly; I didn't encounter any bugs or glitches.”
- “I played through most of the first chapter offline on my Steam Deck, which had great performance.”
- “The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, especially in crowded areas, making it frustrating to play.”
- “I experienced frequent crashes and long loading times, which severely impacted my enjoyment of the game.”
- “The graphics settings are poorly optimized, causing even high-end systems to lag during gameplay.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is tied to its advertising strategy, with players expressing a desire to engage with in-game elements inspired by television ads. The integration of different perspectives, such as first-person and isometric views, enhances the experience by creating a distinct separation between the real and virtual worlds.
- “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive and detracts from the overall experience.”
- “I find the in-game purchases to be overpriced and not worth the value they provide.”
- “The constant push for microtransactions makes it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report a smooth experience without bugs, others have noted minor visual glitches, particularly during first-person sections.
- “So, cap it with your preferred method before jumping in—though not even that will save you from some minor, annoying visual glitches during the game’s first-person sections.”
- “The game runs smoothly; I didn't encounter any bugs or glitches.”

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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 8 critic reviews

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7h Median play time

6h Average play time

6-7h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales is a role playing game.

The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 6 hours playing The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales.

The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales was released on June 22, 2023.

The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales was developed by DO MY BEST.

The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its replayability.

The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales is a single player game.

Similar games include Unavowed, Lacuna, Backbone, The Thaumaturge, Roadwarden and others.

The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales

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