Paperback Adventures

unique gameplay, based on the board game by the same name. Very good implementation of the game. A lot of fun and makes you think carefully how you execute your words. This game is not easy and if you love word puzzles this game is for you.

This is an awesome word-roguelike game! Super challenging but totally worth it.

Fun deck-building board game adaption.

Abandoned

Great take on the roguelike deckbuilder with word building as the main thrust of the game. Lighter on the deckbuilding than something like slay the spire, but with a similar roguelike progression, and not really a full blown word game. It occupies an interesting middle space. Each encounter plays like a tight puzzle. Can be a little crunchy on the harder difficulty, but overall not a brain burner. Has moments of great satisfaction when the stars align for the perfect word. Love the pulpy art style. It's a fun game.

When I first heard about Paperback Adventures (the physical version), it didn't interest me much. Frankly, it sounded like a mess of ingredients. Some time later, I got the opportunity to try it out and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It IS a mess of ingredients - but it's a GLORIOUS mess. My compliments to the chef! There's not much I could probably add to the already overused description of the game as Slay the Spire meets Scrabble, so I'll focus on the experience. It took a couple of games to work out how important it was to balance immediate gains with long-term rewards. Particularly at higher difficulties, it's often vital to build toward a great turn rather than just make the best move you can each turn. Because of this, there is a fair amount of tension in the game. "Am I making the right move, or am I setting myself up to fail" is a constant concern - and it's where so much of the fun in the game lies. Do note, this is not a exact implementation of the physical game. There are some differences, but the essential format is the same - and for that, I'm actually glad. I appreciate that this version may well end up with more variety and have more replay value than the physical game. (NB. At this stage of Early Access, I'm unsure whether the differences between the physical and digital versions of the game will remain, reduce or increase.)

I've loved other Fower games and I was excited to see a digital version of one I hadn't tried. I'm decent at scrabble and bananagrams, play wordle daily, solve crosswords on occasion. I thought a word deck builder game sounded awesome. I may be missing something but I've played 3 hours and yet to play through all the levels of the first 'book'. I'm at 3/10 I think it says. I can't count how many rounds I've lost, it's a lot. I think the closest I got was round 6 in the tutorial 'book', didn't clear that level either. It seems impossible to win, whenever I get close the computer player suddenly gains huge advantages or has unblockable attacks. Strategy also seems unclear to me, are short words or long words better? Should I be trying to get as many crowns for myself and skulls for opponent or be focusing on attacking/blocking? I've kept trying different ways, different strategies. I really wanted to like this game. I keep hoping the new updates will fix the mechanics so its winnable. I can see in other reviews some have won so maybe it's just me. But it's frustrating. Graphics are cute. Theme is delightfully well done. Soundtrack is slightly annoying too repetitive but you can easily mute. McGuffins and items and building your own deck intriguing - seems like you could play repeatedly and have different game each time. More healing items/mcguffins would be great (says the player who keeps dying). But yeah unless the kobayashi maru is your idea of a good time I can't recommend this game. Update a couple hours of playtime later: I finally beat a book! 1 down 2 to go. I am switching my review to recommended, because you know what, despite being unwinnable for so long I kept coming back to it. I'm not sure what if anything changed in the updates since I last played, but the strategy that finally worked for me was to focus on the items/mcguffins. Good luck adventurers!

i have really enjoyed this game as its been updated. i find myself trying to find the best word and how to min/max. it is fun, quick to jump in and out of and is enjoyable.

A lot of fun once you start getting some combos and making longer words

[h1]Game Review from 30 Minutes of Play[/h1] Reminding myself if I should revisit and if you should purchase. [b]ELEVATOR PITCH: Slay the Spire with Words[/b] LIKED: You don't need to have a large vocabulary to win. Difficulty is challenging. There is a lot going on and probably the Magnum Opus of all Fowers games. Oops in not reviewing within the 30 minute window. I had my Steam Deck on sleep mode so the clock continues to tick. DISLIKED: As with all Fowers games, the UI could be smoother. However, it doesn't detract from the core fun gameplay. This could enable you to purchase the physical copy. [b]===== Mood After 30mins =====[/b] ☐ Addicted ☑ Afternoon delight ☐ Grindfest ☐ Frustrated [b]===== Will I Revisit =====[/b] ☐ Yes, I aim to 100% complete ☑ Yes, but only beat the game ☐ Eventually. Until then, back to the pile ☐ No, on to other games [b]===== Price =====[/b] ☐ Full price worthy ☑ Discount ☐ Deep discount ☐ Pass [b]Disclaimer:[/b] [i]I'm aware 30 minutes is not enough time to properly review any game. Historically, I'm a big completionist when it comes to gaming, but my backlog will just not die and adulting obligations continue to mount. I needed to find some sense of accomplishment with my backlog other than buying them at great discount. Dedicating at least 30 minutes of play per game will be my arbitrary sense of achievement. It may not justify my gaming spending habits, but I'll suffer less buyer's remorse. Who knows, in 30 minutes I might discover a great game I want to revisit and something you want to purchase. GGs![/i]