The Book of Distance

First-person VR storytelling following a Japanese immigrant's life in Canada

National Film Board of Canada · Published by Astrea · Released Oct 8, 2020

Reviews: Very Positive; 96% of 198
Recent reviews: Not enough recent
Players: 0; daily peak, Oct 28, 2026
Steam Deck: Unsupported
Last update on Steam: 5 years ago; May 11, 2021
Minimum PC: GeForce GTX 1070; 16 GB RAM · 6 GB disk; Full requirements

What is The Book of Distance?

A free, linear VR narrative about Yonezo Okita's move from Hiroshima to Canada in 1935 and the wartime racism that affects his family. His grandson Randall guides you through handcrafted scenes, where you take part in interactions as family archives help recount their history.

For you if...

+you enjoy history presented through personal family accounts
+you like guided VR experiences with occasional interaction

Not for you if...

−you want frequent action instead of mostly cinematic storytelling
−you prefer lighthearted subjects to accounts of wartime racism

What players say

96% of 198 reviews are positive

Players praise the story's emotional impact and how the VR interactions support its telling. A player reports being unable to resume after stopping partway through.

Screenshots and trailer

The Book of Distance system requirements

Minimum: GeForce GTX 1070, 16 GB RAM, 6 GB of disk space.

As published by the developer.

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Minimum

OS: Windows 10
Processor: · Intel Core i5-4590
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Storage: 6 GB available space

Does The Book of Distance have co-op or multiplayer?

No: single-player only, no multiplayer modes declared.

Single-player

Does The Book of Distance run on Steam Deck?

Unsupported No: Valve rates it Unsupported on Steam Deck.

Steam o s does not support_ v r

PC version details

DRM: None declared on Steam
Controller: Keyboard and mouse
Platforms: Windows
Steam features: Family Sharing, VR
Languages: Full audio: English, French, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese.

Does The Book of Distance use AI-generated content?

No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Oct 27, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam