Black Book Sequel Announced by Morteshka, Major Changes Planned

Morteshka Confirms Black Book Sequel in Pre-Production

Independent studio Morteshka, known for its critically acclaimed card-based RPG Black Book, has officially announced that a full sequel is now in pre-production. The original game was a significant success, garnering nearly 5,000 'Very Positive' reviews on Steam and receiving an 'Amazing' rating from Stopgame.ru.

DLC Plans Shift, Player Input Requested

Fans anticipating the previously announced DLC for Black Book, which would have focused on Grandpa Egor, might see a change in plans. Morteshka revealed that work on the DLC was paused to dedicate all resources to their recently released horror title, Liho One-Eyed. While the studio still intends to complete the Egor DLC, they now believe it’s better to focus on the sequel for the time being. Game designer Vladimir Beletsky is actively asking the community for feedback: should the Egor DLC be integrated into the second game, or released as a separate spin-off?

First Details Emerge for the Black Book Sequel

While the sequel is still in its early pre-production phase and ideas are subject to change based on player feedback, Morteshka has shared several intriguing concepts:

• Setting: The sequel will transport players to the snow-covered landscapes of the late 19th-century Russian Empire. Expect new types of evil spirits and redesigned versions of familiar demons.
• Combat System: A major shift is planned here. Developers are considering moving away from the card-based combat of the original, steering towards more traditional RPG and JRPG mechanics. This could even include a diverse party of companions joining the protagonist.
• Dialogue System: The studio aims for more dynamic and lifelike conversations. Instead of a visual novel style, dialogues may feature real-time replies, allowing characters to interrupt each other and comment on their surroundings.
• World Exploration: Traveling across locations will see improvements, with developers striving for a more free and engaging map exploration experience.
• Saving System: Unlike the first game, which only saved upon entering a new location, the sequel intends to introduce a full, flexible saving system.
• Retained Mechanics: Distinctive features like demon management, 'knowledge' (znatkost), and visitor interactions from the original will be preserved and further developed to be even more refined.
• Narrative: Morteshka's approach to storytelling remains consistent. The plot will continue to be rooted in detailed research of Russian folklore, complete with fascinating facts embedded within an in-game encyclopedia.

No Release Date Yet, Artbook Coming Soon

As the sequel is still in early development, no release window has been announced. However, fans of Black Book won't be entirely without new content. A physical artbook, published by EKSMO, is scheduled for release this autumn, offering a deeper dive into the game's unique world and art style.

This announcement positions Morteshka to potentially expand the Black Book universe in exciting new directions, offering both familiar charm and fresh gameplay experiences. The shift in combat mechanics and the potential for a party system suggest a more traditional, yet still deeply folkloric, RPG adventure awaits.