A narrative-driven adventure game
The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales is a premium adventure game developed by DO MY BEST. It follows the journey of a writer’s fall from grace and the lengths he takes to regain what was lost. The narrative also takes a supernatural turn that makes for an interesting experience.
Much like The Thaumaturge or Disco Elysium, The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales is a game that leans heavily on exposition and episodic experiences to help convey its story. That is complemented by the presence of combat in certain parts of the game that offer a nice change of pace.
Scribe turned thief
The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales tells the fate of a once-acclaimed writer named Etienne Quist. After being wrongfully accused of a crime, the penman has lost his ability to perform his craft. At wit’s end, he’s approached by a criminal boss who proposes he steals legendary items from books in exchange for a shot at regaining what he has lost.
Your literary adventure in this game will turn pages into worlds you’ll explore, which include snowy mountains, medieval prisons, and even interstellar spaceships. Meet and interact with fictional characters to use as you see fit to achieve your goals. Deceive, manipulate, and do whatever it takes, even if it ends in confrontation—where its turn-based combat mechanics come into play.
Along the way, you’ll encounter unique puzzles that require unconventional problem-solving methods, which blur the line between what’s real and what’s not. With all that being said, the game does suffer from poor pacing in some areas(books), and the combat system itself is rather lackluster and feels more like an afterthought than an integral part of the gameplay. These aspects could have been better.
Driven by its story alone
To conclude, if you’re a fan of story-driven games, there is a lot to like with The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales. From its art style to its expansive world-building, it has plenty to offer to those who wish to delve deep into its narrative. Sadly, the combat aspect fell short and sours the experience a bit. Nevertheless, this is a good adventure game worth giving a try.
