Review: Bookbound Brigade (Nintendo Switch)

Bookbound Brigade is described as a new take on the established Metroidvania genre. Does a proven genre really need a fresh take?

Take control of a party of literary characters such as Count Dracula, Dorthy, and Robin Hood, as well as historical figures such as Queen Victoria, Joan of Arc and more. Each has unique abilities that are gradually found within levels. They band together to try to save the Book of Books which was stolen. Whoever stole it is also destroying it. If it is not put back together the literary world will cease to exist. 

It sounds to play as a group of literary and historical figures and revisit their stories. Unfortunately, Bookbound Brigade is held back by its dull combat and difficulty level. The enemies felt uninspired. Occasionally there would be an interesting combat move, such as forming a pillar of your allies and hitting the enemy up the pillar. Once the enemy reaches the top you can launch them onto another enemy. The innovation of attacks were few and far between, however, leaving the combat to feel dull. At times it felt like reading a book where the only reason you keep going is the assumption that the next chapter will be better. Unfortunately, it never is. 

Being a difficult game is not necessarily a bad thing if the game is fun and engaging enough to make you want to continue on. I am well aware of how difficult a Metroidvania game can be, but Bookbound Brigade just felt overly difficult. For instance, at one point players must leap across pits landing on platforms. However, with fireballs launching onto the platform from above players had to land directly in the middle of the platform to avoid getting hit with a fireball. Getting hit with a fireball doesn’t sound all that bad, I mean I only lose a little bit of health, right? Wrong. Not only do you lose a little health, but you are also sent back to the beginning of the obstacles. The stages were packed full of tunnels of difficult obstacles that went on much longer than needed. As mentioned above, getting hit by any sort of fireball, spike or projectile when trying to venture pass parts of the stage sends you back to the last checkpoint. Considering it is a Metroidvania game you are often coming to places you don’t have the proper skill to pass. Thus, players must venture back through the overly difficult obstacles in an attempt to find the correct pathway. The difficulty sucked the enjoyment out of exploring the many areas the game had to offer. 

Bookbound Brigade had the potential to be a good or even great game. Unfortunately, it fell victim to being dull and obnoxiously difficult. If the new take on the Metroidvania genre is being as boring and frustrating as possible then Bookbound Brigade met it’s goal. I would suggest saving your money to buy the book of the character you find the least interesting. Reading it would probably be more enjoyable than playing this game.