Pentiment is one of the most underrated titles of the past decade, and a new Steam game could be the perfect option for fans who have been wanting a sequel. Obsidian Entertainment’s choice-driven medieval adventure is filled with charm, but a sequel seems unlikely at the moment. This isn’t really a bad thing, though. Pentiment stands strong on its own, and a full-blown sequel may ruin what makes it so special. The good news is that an upcoming Steam game has the ingredients to scratch that itch without being an exact copy.
Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts takes Pentiment’s medieval-inspired art design and uses it in a brand-new way. Instead of a story-based game filled with narrative-defining choices, Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts is all about crafting the perfect medieval manuscript. There aren’t many games like Pentiment, but Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts is promising just as much charm while offering gameplay that is perfect for those wanting a more casual pastime.
A Brief Look at Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts’ Confirmed Features
Both Story Mode and Sandbox Mode
Design-focused gameplay
A diverse roster of art tools
Over 1,000 in-game pictures to play around with
Cozy base decorating
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Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts’ Story and Sandbox Mode Both Embrace a Player’s Creativity
The main premise of Scriptorium’s main story is simple. Players work as a medieval artist who is commissioned by people all throughout the kingdom. Patrons make their requests, and it’s up to the player to create a piece of work that satisfies their needs. Some of the best medieval games play into the absurdity of the time, and Scriptorium is definitely promising this. Real-life medieval artwork can feature some truly bizarre scenes, and Scriptorium gives players the opportunity to be as ridiculous as they wish with their creations. Players will be approached for a variety of different commissions, and these are just a few that can be expected:
Gossip to spread through the kingdom
Illustrations of stories like romances and battles
Love letters
Blackmail
Map designs
Invitations to events like masquerade balls
Strange requests
Scriptorium comes out on April 16 and is made by Yaza Games, the same developers that brought another wonderful medieval game to life; Inkulinati.
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Whether one’s more interested in the game’s story or prefers the freedom of sandbox gameplay, Scriptorium is all about working with the tools that are presented. The medieval-inspired art style will immediately be recognizable to Pentiment fans, but this game uses the art itself as the main gameplay focus instead of simply an eye-catching creative decision. Games like Minecraft have been great ways for gamers to exercise their creative muscles, but Scriptorium is a breath of fresh air when it comes to this kind of gameplay.
Become the Best Artist in the Entire Kingdom
Scriptorium may be all about creativity, but it’s still important to make sure that patrons end up with a piece of art that they’re happy with. The main story is a great option for players who love casual gameplay but still prefer an objective to follow. The best creative games require at least some kind of main goal to be met. Being presented with tons of image and text choices to arrange however one sees fit can be overwhelming, especially with all the options that Scriptorium offers. Over 1,000 pictures to choose from paves the way for tons of unique outcomes. The game is single-player, but Scriptorium is also a great game to introduce friends to. Each player can compare how they approached a patron’s commission to see just how differently everyone interpreted the request.
Base-Building and Room Decoration Fans May Want to Check Out Scriptorium, Too
The game’s main premise is intriguing enough, but one feature that takes Scriptorium to the next level is that players get to decorate their character’s art studio. Cozy games on Steam have become one of the platform’s biggest draws, and Scriptorium appeals to these types of gamers in two different ways. Even if someone isn’t as drawn to crafting manuscripts, customizing the main character’s workspace has a lot of potential to offer a wonderfully cozy experience with a special medieval edge. The in-game money that a player earns can be used to buy certain decorations. Room decoration may not be the main goal, but it seems to have a lot of depth when it comes to what all can be customized.
Lighting
Furniture
Flowers
Windows
Tapestries
Carpets
Columns
Beyond the workspace, players can make the space their own even more by adding a pet to the equation. Staples like dogs and cats are available, but one of the best pet options is a tiny dragon. Home decoration games are some of the most soothing types of cozy gameplay, so Scriptorium could be a fun and unexpected option for fans of The Sims and Animal Crossing.
Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts Adds to the Growing List of Great Modern Medieval Games
Over the past few years, there have been some really great games set in medieval times. Pentiment and Inkulinati are far from the only ones. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Manor Lords, Chivalry 2, and Crusader Kings 3 are some of the main highlights. Many of these titles are more action-packed or strategy-focused, but Scriptorium could prove to be a breath of fresh air in the medieval space. Coziness and medieval vibes aren’t things that usually go hand-in-hand. Scriptorium may have found the perfect way to balance the two, though. It can be hard for indie games on Steam to stick out in such a crowded market. The wonderful art direction and unique gameplay may actually have what it takes to really make this medieval manuscript builder one of the best indie offerings of the year.
The creations made in Scriptorium can also be exported as PNG files to print for things like birthday cards, coloring pages, or simply a fun piece of art to show off.
Scriptorium may not be out quite yet, but it’s going to be interesting to see how its premise is received by both medieval fans and those in search of new creative or cozy games. Thankfully, the wait is only a few more days away. Those who are interested in this charmingly wacky manuscript fest can play a free demo on Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts’ Steam page to get a taste of the artistic possibilities.
