BLACK BIRD
- October 30, 2018
- Onion Games
Black Bird is one of the most interesting games I've played in a long time with loads of surprises all over the place.
Get on SteamIn "BLACK BIRD" , players control a girl reborn as the ominous Black Bird, a calamity from ancient kingdom lore. The game features a darkly humorous world with pixel-art visuals and reveals more of the story upon completing stages. The unique audio/visual experience includes an operatic soundtrack synchronizing with enemy movement, creating a one-of-a-kind action-packed shooting game.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game features a unique and charming art style, combining pixel graphics with a quirky atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- The soundtrack is exceptional, adding to the game's engaging and whimsical tone, making it a delight to play.
- Gameplay is rewarding and encourages replayability through its scoring mechanics and multiple endings, providing depth for players who enjoy mastering the game.
- The game is relatively short, with only four levels, which may leave players wanting more content after completion.
- Some players may find the controls and mechanics limiting, particularly the inability to shoot in multiple directions and the restriction on the number of bullets on screen.
- The story lacks depth and may not provide enough incentive for players to continue after their initial playthrough.
- music26 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its uniqueness and quality, with many reviewers highlighting the engaging and operatic soundtrack composed by Hirofumi Taniguchi. The soundtrack not only enhances the overall atmosphere but also synchronizes with enemy spawns and gameplay mechanics, creating a dynamic and immersive experience. Overall, the combination of catchy tunes and charming visuals contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature.
“The music composed by Hirofumi Taniguchi is a big highlight here; it might be my favorite soundtrack of his since Chulip.”
“A weird little bullet hell, set in a bittersweet bleak world that mixes cuteness with horror, accompanied by a delightfully insane soundtrack.”
“The aesthetic of the game is entirely on point, from the dark and dreary fairy tale steampunk pixel art to the surreal operatic soundtrack that syncs up with the gameplay.”
“All the cartoonish designs and overly-dramatic music feels at odds with the eerie atmosphere and apocalyptic scenario in a way that really draws you in and makes you want to see what else it has to offer.”
“This dark premise is offset by cute sprite work, silly animations, and a very eccentric soundtrack.”
“Its vintage-style art direction is charmingly melancholy, and its strange soundtrack only adds an extra layer of quirkiness to proceedings.”
- gameplay21 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for its engaging mechanics and addictive simplicity, striking a balance between challenge and accessibility. Players appreciate the well-tuned scoring system that encourages replayability and mastery, complemented by a unique aesthetic and a captivating soundtrack. Overall, the game successfully combines tight combat, environmental detail, and a quirky atmosphere, making it enjoyable even for those not typically fond of the genre.
“A great little side-scrolling shooter. Not only is there a lot of love and artistry put into every detail of the game (the soundtrack and visuals are both really unique and well-made), but it strikes a good balance of challenge without being too crushing. The gameplay, especially the scoring system, is very engaging and well thought out.”
“There is something about the wonderful pixel graphics and simplicity of the gameplay that just keeps you coming back for that 'one more go' feeling.”
“In terms of mechanics, it's a very familiar setup: you have movement, shot, and bomb at your controls, and your bird's hitbox is the visible eye at the center of the creature.”
“The mechanics become more evident as well: similar to Mega Man, you have 4 projectiles that can be fired at any given time, and if all 4 are out, you cannot fire until one of them disappears.”
“The aesthetic of the game is entirely on point, from the dark and dreary fairy tale steampunk pixel art to the surreal operatic soundtrack that syncs up with the gameplay, and the in-game mechanics reinforce the need to replay and memorize every aspect of the game.”
- story12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story in the game is described as lacking depth and coherence, with some players finding it not worth mentioning, while others appreciate its quirky and intricate elements. Despite its simplicity, the narrative offers intriguing secrets and incentives for replay, complemented by strong visuals and music. Overall, while the story may not be the main draw, it contributes to an enjoyable experience for those willing to explore its layers.
“While not the most complex game made, I do recommend it as an enjoyable mindless game to play, with a deep story to discover if you want that.”
“It's a bit too hard for me, a rather new player in the shmup genre, even after the difficulty patch, but the visuals, music, atmosphere, story, and ideas are great.”
“The story is... well not worth mentioning.”
“Yes, the story doesn't make much sense, but the mechanics are great.”
“Black Bird’s story is about a little girl that dies in the street.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are highly praised for their unique and artistic pixel art style, described as a sepia-toned, steampunk aesthetic that enhances the overall atmosphere. Reviewers appreciate the attention to detail in each level, which, combined with a surreal operatic soundtrack, creates an engaging and immersive experience that encourages replayability. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and originality.
“There is something about the wonderful pixel graphics and simplicity of the gameplay that just keeps you coming back for that 'one more go' feeling.”
“The aesthetic of the game is entirely on point, from the dark and dreary fairy tale steampunk pixel art to the surreal operatic soundtrack that syncs up with the gameplay.”
“The graphics and attention to details in each level are really astonishing.”
“The story, graphics, music, and environments are all well designed.”
“I'd call it almost a steam punk style opera type of aesthetic.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a unique blend of grim comedy and eerie elements, enhanced by cartoonish designs and dramatic music that create a memorable experience. This juxtaposition draws players in, making them eager to explore the game's offerings, despite some challenges in gameplay difficulty. Overall, the visuals, music, and storytelling contribute significantly to its engaging atmosphere.
“The whole game has an atmosphere of grim comedy to it that does a lot of legwork towards making it a memorable experience.”
“All the cartoonish designs and overly dramatic music feel at odds with the eerie atmosphere and apocalyptic scenario in a way that really draws you in and makes you want to see what else it has to offer, and for the most part, it delivers.”
“It's a bit too hard for me, a rather new player in the shmup genre, even after the difficulty patch, but the visuals, music, atmosphere, story, and ideas are great.”
“The cartoonish designs and overly dramatic music feel at odds with the eerie atmosphere and apocalyptic scenario, which detracts from the immersion and overall experience.”
“The atmosphere lacks cohesion, making it difficult to fully engage with the game's world and narrative.”
“Despite the game's attempts at creating a tense atmosphere, the inconsistent art style and soundtrack undermine the intended mood.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game features only four stages, but they are designed to encourage replayability through various mechanics, particularly for score-chasing enthusiasts. The inclusion of an online leaderboard enhances this aspect, making it a worthwhile purchase for those who enjoy competing for high scores, though potential buyers may consider waiting for a sale if they have concerns about replay value.
“Even though the game technically has only 4 stages, they are packed and designed for replay value in many ways.”
“It's worth the price of entry if you enjoy score-chasing; maybe wait for a sale if you're concerned about replayability.”
“The online leaderboard for global score chasing just adds to the replay value.”
“The game technically has only four stages, but they are packed and designed for replay value in many ways.”
“It's worth the price of entry if you enjoy score-chasing, but you might want to wait for a sale if you're concerned about replayability.”
“The online leaderboard for global score chasing adds to the replay value.”
Critic Reviews
Black Bird review
Black Bird is one of the most interesting games I've played in a long time with loads of surprises all over the place.
90%Black Bird Review
Black Bird is a unique little shooter that only gets better as you play it more and uncover its secrets. Its vintage-style art direction is charmingly melancholy, and its strange soundtrack only adds an extra layer of quirkiness to proceedings. It’s very much a score challenge game, though, meaning players expecting a wealth of things to see and do may be left feeling underwhelmed by its meagre four stages - especially when you consider the rather high price tag. This is very much a case of quality over quantity, and as long as you’re up for repeat playthroughs, you’re in for a wonderfully bizarre treat.
70%Black Bird (Nintendo Switch)
Black Bird
80%
