Game Title: Book of Hours

Developer & Publisher: Weather Factory

Release date: 17th August 2023

Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux / Steam + GOG

Price: £19.99 / $24.99

Book of Hours expansion House of Light was released September 26, 2024. This review is for the base game.

“Here the sea ends and the world  begins.”

“Shutter the windows against the sea. Bank the  fire against the cold. Listen to the rain rattle on the roof, while you slide  books one by one into their ancient nests…”

What Is It

Book of Hours is a narrative driven, combat free RPG set in a forlorn, wind and rain swept Cornish fishing village of Brancrug, where the player is tasked with restoring Hush House, a sprawling library that was once overflowing with knowledge. It has now been decimated by fire and the last librarian is gone. It is your job to rebuild and restock Hush House and return it to its former glory. To do so requires, not only that you read everything but that you also visit and revisit villagers often. Luckily, there are many ways to complete objectives; do not be afraid to try everything. 

It was developed by Weather Factory, the husband and wife developers who created the BAFTA-nominated Cultist Simulator. In Hours they have created a narrative that is filled with themes of occult and exploration, interwoven throughout. In order to advance the branching narrative, one needs to read and explore every possibility.

The Good 

Visuals

Book of Hours stunningly gorgeous. There are no gimmicks or fancy graphics. There does not need to be. The watercolor style backgrounds are lushly rendered. The colors are muted and dreary, which sets the tone of the game. Even when the day is sunny it barely penetrates the world of Brancrug.

Audio

Normally I immediately turn the music down when booting up a game for the first time. I did with Book of Hours. However, I soon turned up the volume and absorbed how beautiful and engaging the melodies were; quiet and forlorn yet moody and captivating. Game music tends to assault my ear drums, which is why I proactively turn it down before creating a new playthrough. That was not the case with Hours. In fact, I enjoyed it. A lot. It is so well done that it subtly enhances every decision the player makes.

The best part about the music, which I did not notice for several hours, is that there are several tracks that can be advanced through. I recommend taking a listen to them all.  

Not All Is Well 

A Little Help Here

Book of Hours does not hold the player’s hand. The game provides no documentation on how to play, no tutorial, and no guidance whatsoever. The character is left on a beach and from there must figure out on her own (her is me) how to make it to the village while her health is suffering and she is on the verge of collapsing. All she has is a soggy book that needs drying out before she can read it. It took me nearly an hour to work out what I needed to do. Am I an idiot? Maybe, very likely, but this was less about my intelligence and more the lack of direction that was given.

Mechanics

I spent hours searching the web and poring over message boards trying to understand how the mechanics work in Book of Hours. I am happy to say that I am still somewhat lost. However, as I slowly progressed, objectives became clearer.                   

There are four different categories of cards that players must utilize to reveal clues and restore the library. These are Memories and Lessons, Elements of the Soul, Skills and Languages, and Sundries. At the beginning of the game the player must choose certain elements which will determine the librarian they will be. To advance the narrative, cards from the different categories must be used by themselves or together to unlock clues and information. Sounds simple enough but it is anything but.

I will not sugarcoat it; this is very complicated. It takes time and perseverance to understand how to play Book of Hours. In fact, you might say it will take you hours and hours to get a firm grip on what needs to be done and how to accomplish that. I have taken hours and hours and progress was often slow but when I had a breakthrough, I felt as if I had truly accomplished something.                    

Conclusion 

To Read Or Not To Read

Book of Hours is lush and beautiful. I was drawn to the idea of rebuilding and stocking a library. I wanted to uncover the mysteries of what happened and why I am tasked with this endeavor. As it is, I have barely scratched the surface but I often find myself thinking of what needs to be done to move the narrative forward. 

Unfortunately, I am wavering on my feelings regarding the game because of the lack of guidance. The omitting of a tutorial, however intentional, creates undue stress for players who may, like me, be very interested in the story but lack the comprehension of how to proceed through the game. After playing for several hours, I still struggle to find the right card combinations needed to advance the story. It is a relief when I work out a puzzle but when I succeed, unless I have finally unlocked a room, the reward does not match the effort put forth. 

YAY OR NAY 

Maybe. I have conflicting feelings about Book of Hours. I love the setting and narrative. Visuals and music are outstanding. However, the complex mechanics and lack of guidance make for a challenging experience. There were times I felt not up to the challenge, yet my ego is such that I would not accept defeat. This is not for those who want a quick resolution and simple gameplay. This is a game to be savored, not rushed through. So be a tortoise not a hare and spend some time (if you have it) losing yourself in Brancrug.

One day my library will be whole and all the knowledge it holds will be mine! Muwahahahaha…cough…hahahaha.