Compare this game
Black Book

Review · Adventure · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series S/X · PlayStation 4

Black Book

Reviewed: 01 May 2026

PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series S/X · PlayStation 4 · Nintendo Switch · macOS · PC · Xbox One

Morteshka · 2021

Ludograph rating

B

Good

67 /100

Automated review

Black Book is an adventure RPG that builds strategic thinking and problem solving through its unique card-based combat and folklore-rich narrative.

06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 51 · R 2
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

51

Risk (RIS)

2

Daily limit

120min

Age guidance

13+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.72
B2Social-emotional
0.33
B3Motor
0.25

Black Book offers a rich, immersive experience rooted in Russian folklore, promoting strategic thinking through its card-based RPG mechanics, problem-solving via riddles and quests, and deep language comprehension through its compelling narrative and in-game encyclopedia. It fosters empathy and ethical reasoning by engaging players in the woes of common folk and exploring complex moral themes.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.03
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.00

While largely free of manipulative design, Black Book contains mild fantasy violence and fear/horror elements consistent with its E10+ rating and dark folklore themes. The single-player nature means it lacks opportunities for positive social interaction, but also avoids social risks.

Content (not in risk score)

R4.1Violence Level
0.67
R4.2Sexual Content
0.00
R4.3Language
0.33
R4.4Substance References
0.00
R4.5Fear / Horror
0.67

Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.

Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Assessed: meets criteria·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria

  • DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
  • GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
  • ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.

These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.

Avg playtime~5 hReviewedMay 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is Black Book safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Black Book a rating of 67/100, recommended for ages 13 and up. It offers solid benefits but needs parental guidance on the risks.

What age is Black Book appropriate for?

Ludograph's rubric recommends a minimum age of 13+ for Black Book, based on benefits, risks, and content review. That is stricter than ESRB E10+, because our assessment weighs behavioral design risks, not just content.

How long should kids play Black Book?

Our session recommendation for Black Book is up to 120 minutes per day. It is derived from the game's own structure (natural stopping points, compulsion-loop design, monetization pressure, and social dynamics), not from a universal screen-time dose.

Session recommendations are design-based heuristics. Evidence linking specific daily durations to child outcomes is limited, and context matters as much as time; treat this as a starting point for household rules, not a clinical threshold.

What are the main risks of Black Book?

While largely free of manipulative design, Black Book contains mild fantasy violence and fear/horror elements consistent with its E10+ rating and dark folklore themes. The single-player nature means it lacks opportunities for positive social interaction, but also avoids social risks.