Bookbound Brigade

A colorful and engaging Metroidvania game with a unique gameplay premise.

Most people have fond memories of books and some of their favourite characters. Everyone reading this will have fond memories of video games and their favourite characters from those. What if, your favourite character from your favourite book was put into video game form and learned to speak modern day slang? Well, that’s something Bookbound Brigade has set out to offer. Now when we talk about books, that’s not referring to Team Edward or Team Jacob (do people still know these, or did I j...

When I learnt of Bookbound Brigade, I must admit I was a little intrigued by its setting. Literary figures saving their world of print may not be the most original idea, but I was curious about the references and characters that the game would include. As for what the game actually is, it’s a 2D Metroidvania!

I really wanted to like Bookbound Brigade, but its flaws are too great to overlook. There are moments when it all comes together and you get a real sense of achievement from navigating a tricky section of traps or figuring out a nice environmental puzzles, but these are too often overshadowed by boring combat and the chore that is getting around the world. Unlike the books and stories that Bookbound Brigade is inspired by, good writing is not enough to salvage this story.

Needless to say, I did not enjoy my time with Bookbound Brigade, but I do say that with a heavy heart. I really wanted to like the game. It has a lot of character and some nice work has gone into its visual design. But its problems are insurmountable and ultimately you’re left with a game that’s too frustrating and filled with too many issues to ever be fun to play. At least Bookbound Brigade tries some different ideas on for size. They don’t fit, but at least the developer tries. Isn’t that what counts? “It’s not the winning, but the taking part.” Sadly, nobody’s a winner playing Bookbound Br...

Bookbound Brigade is a Metroidvania that simply misses the point. It builds on all of the worst aspects of the genre while enjoying none of its strengths.