Book of Demons stands out as an RPG hack and slash game with deck-building elements, set in a unique pop-up book world called the Paperverse. This title draws heavy inspiration from the original Diablo, blending parody with genuine homage to create a dark, atmospheric adventure where you battle evil forces to save the world from ultimate corruption. Available on PS5, it emphasizes strategic combat through a card system rather than traditional weapons, making every dungeon run a test of adaptation and timing.
Gameplay
In Book of Demons, the core experience revolves around exploring procedurally generated dungeons beneath an old cathedral, fighting hordes of monsters in a simplified isometric view. Movement sticks to predefined paths, which keeps navigation straightforward while enemies move freely, adding tension to encounters. You select from classes like warrior, mage, or rogue, each with distinct playstyles that influence how you approach combat.
Combat relies on a card system where items, spells, and skills appear as collectible cards. You build and adapt your hand to suit different situations, upgrading cards with runes for enhanced effects or seeking out rare magical and legendary variants for powerful bonuses. Timing matters, as you click to attack, break shields, dispel curses, or manage poisoned foes. The Flexiscope system lets you customize quest lengths, learning your play pace to estimate session times, which fits well for shorter or longer play sessions.
Monsters come in over 70 varieties, each with unique traits like shields or spellcasting, requiring specific strategies. Points of interest reveal as you approach, and footprints mark your path to avoid getting lost without a traditional map.
Game Modes
The main campaign takes you through three underground realms, culminating in boss battles against formidable foes like the Archdemon. It typically lasts around 10 hours per class, focusing on a story of good versus evil in the Paperverse.
Freeplay mode unlocks after the campaign, offering higher difficulty levels to master your character and replay quests with increased challenges. For those seeking intensity, Roguelike mode introduces permadeath, limited healing, and extra obstacles, turning each run into a high-stakes challenge.
Additional options include Quest Mastering for refining specific challenges and the Archdemon Quest for endgame content. Leaderboards track monthly and all-time scores, while over 200 achievements encourage thorough exploration.
Classes and Customization
Choosing a class shapes your journey significantly. The warrior excels in close-quarters combat with durable cards, the mage focuses on ranged spells for crowd control, and the rogue emphasizes agility and quick strikes. Each class has unique cards and mechanics, encouraging multiple playthroughs to experience them all.
Customization extends to deck building, where you mix and match cards to counter enemy types. Runes provide upgrades, and finding variants adds replay value as you hunt for optimal setups.
Is It Worth Playing?
Book of Demons suits players who enjoy strategic RPG elements mixed with hack and slash action, especially if you appreciate a fresh take on classics like Diablo without overwhelming complexity. Its card-based system and adjustable session lengths make it accessible for busy gamers, while modes like Roguelike add depth for veterans.
The game has received positive feedback for its innovative mechanics and charming paper art style, earning awards such as Best Game Art at Casual Connect in 2016. With a full release in 2018 and no ongoing updates needed, it remains a solid standalone experience. If you prefer thoughtful combat over free-roaming exploration, this title offers good value on PS5, though the fixed-path movement might not appeal to everyone seeking more fluid action.
