Book of Travels – Spotlight

In contrast to MMOs, Book of Travels coined the term “tiny multiplayer online RPG,” because you’ll only ever interact with a small percentage of the player base. The entire experience is wholly unique, and the developer hasn’t shied away from taking risks, some of which have paid off more than others. The goal is to create an online RPG that prioritises calm exploration and authentic roleplaying.

Pros:
Looks great
Innovative systems
Great sense of exploration

Cons:
Not for everyone

Score – 9/10

At the start of the game, you’ll create your character; there are many options to make your character unique, but not in the same way that other RPGs allow you to choose your character’s background, personality, and so on. Instead, the skills and traits you choose are mostly shrouded in cryptic wording but will aid you in the various skill checks around the world that correlate to your abilities in mechanics, spirituality, physical, power, and social intelligence.

There’s even a bio in most areas that you can fill out and personalise to your heart’s content once your character is finished, you can embark on your quest, and the first thing you’ll notice is how slow the gameplay is.

The sceneries are all totally hand-painted and combined with the energetic soundtrack offers some really stunning viewing experiences, but regrettably, it appears to be the extent of its current positives. I immediately learned that there isn’t much to do in the book of travels in its current state not long after starting the game.

I expected content to be an issue because it is an early access game that will be available for approximately two years, but not like this. I had absolutely no means to engage with other people I met throughout my time with the game other than a handful of emotes that I could spam at them before we parted ways. The game’s NPCs had plenty of text bubbles to read to learn about the world, but none of them were particularly interesting, and since talking to people is one of the few ways to consistently gain experience and level up, I found myself talking to everyone I met, regardless of how interesting they were.

Many NPCs also have the option to barter, but my funds were so limited that I couldn’t afford anything. I’d level up and gain skill points, but the skills were so expensive that I couldn’t afford to spend my points. The only way I ended up making money was by walking around all of the maps looking for those rare scraps of loot lying around.

About:

Join Book of Travels and become part of a unique social roleplaying experience that doesn’t hold your hand. Inspired by genre classics, this is a serene adventure that sets you adrift in a fairytale world… it’s also an invitation to roleplay without the restraints of linear missions and plotlines.

Feel at liberty to travel the free wilds and vivid cities of the Braided Shore peninsula. Wander deep into the layers of this hand-drawn world, stumble upon its hidden places or unravel one of its many mysteries. There is no overarching goal and no real beginning or end, but for mortal characters the stakes can be high.

Braided Shore is a vast and intricate world, but meetings with other players are few and far between so your chance encounters will be something special. Choose to collaborate together or to survive alone, either way, you’ll be part of the birth of an exciting new online community, one where many stories will be told.

But take note: This is a game for wayfinders and wanderers and it won’t plan out your route. Instead it will trust you to play in your own style and to shape your own journey. Whichever way you choose to travel, you’ll soon be adding your own chapters to Book of Travels.