We always have a soft spot for games so unique they need their own genre.
Indie Spotlight: Book of Travels - the First TMORPG?
Written by Ollie Bradley at 11/08/2022, 12:41 AM
Another month, another Indie title delivering an incredibly fresh take on an age-old formula. For this month's Indie Spotlight, our eye has been caught by a title that strips back the MMORPG genre and replaces the 'M' with a 'T'. Say hello to the tiny multiplayer online RPG, Book of Travels.
Though the idea of a TMORPG might seem a little confusing to readers who prefer multiplayer games of the massive variety, it's probably easiest to picture one of developer Might and Delight's key inspirations: Journey.
Anyone who played this award-winning masterpiece will remember the magic of interacting with just one other stranger, as opposed to thousands. And it's that magic that Might and Delight hopes to capture with Book of Travels.
Book of Travels Key Features
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Book of Travels is a stunning player-driven TMORPG that tells a sprawling fantasy story in an ever-evolving world through chapters. The in-game land of the Braided Shore is depicted in a hand-painted art style intended to reflect the personal 'picture book' journey that each player will experience.
Part of this is making player-to-player interactions a rarity, swapping the often overwhelming hustle and bustle of an MMO's central hub for singular interactions that feel supremely personal and, therefore, special. Players will also only be able to communicate via emotes as they journey together, with the ability to collect more as they progress through the game.
Might & Delight say that these interactions should feel like part of each players' personal story, as players write their own destinies through constant exploration. Tasks are often found in unexpected places, and it's up to each player to decide where their whims will take them.
Book of Travels is a multiplayer RPG at its core, meaning familiar mechanics such as skills, crafting, trading, and combat will all play key roles. But just as (if not more) important are personality traits, and how these can be wielded to begin a path to the next chapter.
All in all, Book of Travels looks to be something that would satiate anyone looking for "something different". And if that's you, there's good news.
When Can We Play?
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Book of Travels has been in Early Access for a year now, with players currently writing "Chapter Zero" of the game's story. During that time, however, it has managed to amass a tidal wave of positive reviews, and just by looking it's not hard to see why.
The even better news, however, is that Might and Delight have a plan for a full release, which should now be in one year. So if you want to help shape the story of this stunning TMORPG in the meantime, be sure to give it a try.