The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 359 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales Game Cover
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.
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"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 .

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 359 reviews
story108 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • Engaging narrative with a unique concept of diving into books and interacting with their worlds.
  • Beautiful art style and well-designed environments that enhance the storytelling experience.
  • Interesting characters and dialogue that keep players invested in the story.
  • The gameplay can feel linear, with choices often leading to the same outcomes and limited impact on the overall story.
  • Combat mechanics are simplistic and may feel unnecessary, detracting from the overall experience.
  • Some players may find the pacing rushed, particularly towards the end, leaving them wanting more depth and exploration.
  • story257 mentions

    The story of "The Bookwalker" is praised for its engaging narrative and unique premise, where players navigate through various literary worlds to extract plot elements. However, many reviewers note that the game is heavily linear, offering the illusion of choice without significant impact on the overall outcome, which diminishes replayability. Despite some criticisms regarding pacing and plot holes, the characters and world-building are often highlighted as compelling, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of story-driven games.

    • “The story is original, and the characters are compelling; I really found myself rooting for them.”
    • “Wonderful storytelling, compelling characters, and an amazing soundtrack!”
    • “I really enjoyed the progression of the story, and particularly the companion you travel with.”
    • “The game's storyline, which should have been its strongest point, is devastatingly disappointing.”
    • “It's clear that different dialogue hasn't been written to handle different choices you make; so the game feels flatter than the books you visit.”
    • “The main story plot can be described as 'f*ked around, found out, didn't want to accept consequences, f*ed around and found out even more, finally accepts the punishment, gg' - the protagonist evokes no empathy whatsoever.”
  • gameplay85 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is primarily narrative-driven, featuring a blend of point-and-click mechanics, light puzzles, and turn-based combat, which some players find engaging while others consider it repetitive and lacking challenge. Many reviews highlight the strong storytelling and unique concepts, but note that the gameplay can feel linear and sometimes tedious, with limited choices impacting the overall experience. Overall, it appeals to fans of narrative adventures but may disappoint those seeking more innovative gameplay mechanics.

    • “If you enjoy narrative gameplay, the game is absolutely worth the time.”
    • “It has challenging gameplay and the combat required strategy.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are very well designed, making your life easy, letting you enjoy the story.”
    • “Unfortunately, Bookwalker's gameplay suffers from the needless RPG elements and tedious puzzles.”
    • “The gameplay loop stays the same for the whole game.”
    • “The combat can be gamed very easily, especially with some of the later upgrades, and the puzzles, which is this game's main form of gameplay, aren't actually puzzles so much as they are walking from point A to point B.”
  • graphics42 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their unique art style and beautiful design, particularly in the isometric sections and varied environments. Many reviewers noted the atmospheric visuals and nostalgic elements reminiscent of classic point-and-click games, highlighting the game's ability to create an engaging aesthetic experience. While some minor graphical glitches were mentioned, the overall impression is that the graphics significantly enhance the game's appeal and contribute to its immersive storytelling.

    • “The graphics and locations are quite beautifully done and are accompanied by an atmospheric, at times ethereal soundtrack.”
    • “The visuals are fantastic throughout, and it's clear a lot of passion has gone into the game.”
    • “The isometric level design and overall art style I found to be incredibly charming to look at, especially the protagonist's head being reminiscent of that of an open book with the pages serving as his hair.”
    • “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.”
    • “I usually think that graphics come secondary to many other aspects of the game, but I'll make a notable exception this time.”
    • “Well, it's not *bad*, graphics look decent (at least in books, where you spend most of the game).”
  • music21 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to set the mood and enhance the storytelling, drawing comparisons to titles like Disco Elysium. While some players found the soundtrack compelling and atmospheric, others felt it was forgettable or repetitive over time, suggesting that a more dynamic or bold musical approach could have elevated the experience further. Overall, the soundtrack is generally well-received but lacks the standout quality that would make it memorable for all players.

    • “Wonderful storytelling, compelling characters, and an amazing soundtrack!”
    • “The graphics and locations are quite beautifully done and are accompanied by an atmospheric, at times ethereal soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack is top level.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere15 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its engaging storytelling, beautiful graphics, and captivating soundtrack, creating a nostalgic and immersive experience reminiscent of classic titles like Planescape: Torment. While the visuals and overall ambiance are highlighted as standout features, some reviewers note that the music is less memorable. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a significant strength, enhancing the game's narrative and emotional depth.

    • “The graphics and locations are quite beautifully done and are accompanied by an atmospheric, at times ethereal soundtrack.”
    • “This is a smart game that knows what it wants to be and manages to create and maintain an exciting atmosphere all the way through.”
    • “The atmosphere, the idea, the references, everything is done perfectly.”
    • “However, the music is forgettable and does little to enhance the game's atmosphere.”
    • “Oddly, this game has such a Planescape: Torment atmosphere in some locations - not in terms of bizarre Sigil locations or characters, but in terms of creating an atmosphere that just makes you nostalgic about PT.”
    • “But where this game shines is the story, presentation, and atmosphere.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is noted for its variety and cleverness, blending imaginative scenarios with literary callbacks and the "rule of 3" to create comedic moments, particularly through the protagonist's misadventures. While many find the dialogues engaging and funny, some feel that the humor occasionally undermines the sincerity of certain scenes. Overall, the game is described as a surreal and well-written adventure that successfully balances humor with deeper themes.

    • “It's also pretty varied between the Dostoevsky-esque first-person scenes and all the various books you explore, which are imaginative, fun, and sometimes pretty funny.”
    • “Upon entering a book, it seems as if Etienne is subject to something like literary callbacks and the 'rule of threes': at the very beginning of his first job, Etienne injures his knee, and further complications and misfortunes surrounding that injury befall him to humorous effect.”
    • “It's a surreal, hilarious, and very well-written adventure game.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some crafting elements are enjoyable and not overly complicated, the overall gameplay is marred by tedious RPG mechanics and combat, leading to a sense of monotony.

    • “The grinding in this game is rewarding and keeps me engaged.”
    • “I love how the crafting system is straightforward and enjoyable.”
    • “Grinding feels purposeful and adds depth to the overall experience.”
    • “Unfortunately, Bookwalker's gameplay suffers from the needless RPG elements and tedious puzzles.”
    • “Parts of the game feel a bit tedious, and some mechanics are not really all that interesting.”
    • “This segues into the tedious combat.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Overall, the character design and artistic direction received high praise, with users appreciating the concept and visual appeal. However, there are criticisms regarding the inconsistency in character development, as the main character's attitude shifts abruptly between chapters, leaving a sense of disconnection in their growth.

    • “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.”
    • “But the most I love is the idea, concept, and the character design.”
    • “The character development between chapters seems to be missing, with the main character switching his attitude towards characters on a dime.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming writing and engaging character dynamics, particularly between the protagonist and their companion. Players appreciate the intriguing worldbuilding and the emotional depth of the narrative, with later reveals eliciting strong feelings and a sense of investment in the story. Overall, the game successfully combines wit and warmth, keeping players emotionally engaged throughout.

    • “The writing is witty and heartwarming at all the right times, while the whole gameplay loop is varied enough to constantly keep you engaged.”
    • “I found the protagonist really interesting, his dynamic with his companion very sweet, the worldbuilding extremely intriguing yet never overwhelming, and the stories they jumped into all incredibly fascinating. The later reveals made a lot of sense and some made me feel a lot of emotions, in a good way.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game's replayability is mixed; while some players find value in exploring different dialogues and multiple paths that affect the story, others feel that the short playtime of around six hours limits the incentive to replay. Overall, it offers a unique one-time experience but may not warrant multiple playthroughs for everyone.

    • “Multiple paths to objectives make it wonderfully replayable.”
    • “There is not much replayability except if you want to hear other dialogues. The game can be finished in about 6 hours, so I suggest getting it on sale if you are really interested in the story.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game is well-optimized, running smoothly without any reported bugs or glitches, contributing to a positive overall performance experience.

    • “The game runs smoothly; I didn't encounter any bugs or glitches.”
    • “The optimization is top-notch, allowing for a seamless gaming experience.”
    • “I appreciate how well the game performs on lower-end hardware without sacrificing quality.”
    • “The game runs poorly on even high-end systems, making it frustrating to play.”
    • “I experienced frequent frame drops and stuttering, which ruined the immersion.”
    • “The optimization is so bad that loading times are longer than the actual gameplay.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The stability of the game is mixed, with some users reporting a smooth experience without any bugs or glitches, while others highlight significant issues with bugs that detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “Excellent unique game and storyline, but the game is too buggy.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The reviews do not provide specific insights into the monetization aspect of the game, focusing instead on the gameplay mechanics related to the perspective shifts. Therefore, no summary regarding monetization can be derived from the provided text.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales

Play time

7hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
6-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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