Black Ice

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 448 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Black Ice Game Cover
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"Black Ice" is a hacking-themed, first-person shooter game set in a sprawling, procedurally generated cyberpunk city. Players must infiltrate facilities, battle security systems, and upgrade their own cyberdeck to become the most notorious hacker. With permanent death and randomly generated loot, each playthrough is a unique challenge.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 448 reviews
gameplay47 positive mentions
grinding14 negative mentions
  • The game features a vibrant cyberpunk aesthetic with stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack.
  • It offers a fun and engaging gameplay loop with a variety of weapons, abilities, and character customization options.
  • The developers are highly active and responsive to community feedback, consistently updating the game with new content and improvements.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive over time, with a limited number of enemy types and a lack of significant story content.
  • Some players have reported issues with visibility and clarity during combat due to the bright neon visuals.
  • The game lacks a robust multiplayer experience, with few players online and limited interaction options.
  • gameplay120 mentions

    The gameplay of "Black Ice" is characterized by a fast-paced, engaging looter-shooter experience set in a vibrant cyberpunk world, featuring a rewarding progression system that unlocks new weapons, mods, and enemies as players level up. While the core mechanics are reminiscent of classic FPS games, the unique hacking system and extensive customization options provide depth and variety, making the gameplay both addictive and enjoyable. However, some players note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, despite its overall polish and potential for expansion.

    • “The verticality of this game is excellent, the mechanics for mantling are generous and you can easily climb tall structures.”
    • “By blending mechanics like the unique server hacking system, quake-style power-ups, unique RAM mechanic, varied and fast-paced movement system, and high level of verticality and environmental variety, the game creates this extremely fun and enthralling dance with death in every combat encounter.”
    • “The movement mechanics, the level design, the gameplay loop of finding better and better loot while fighting more and more difficult enemies - everything really comes together to make Black Ice unique, unforgettable, and thoroughly entertaining to play for hours on end.”
    • “I've just beaten the boss in the volcano area and up until now it looks like the gameplay itself is pretty repetitive.”
    • “The loot system is good, but it doesn't do enough to make up for what I found to be lackluster gameplay.”
    • “However, gameplay could get stale after a few hours.”
  • story90 mentions

    The game's story is described as engaging yet still in development, with players appreciating its environmental storytelling and the integration of side quests that enhance the overall experience. While some find the quest structure repetitive, the narrative elements, delivered through emails and background lore, add depth to the gameplay, making it feel meaningful despite being light on traditional storytelling. Overall, players are optimistic about future updates that promise to expand the story further, with many enjoying the cyberpunk atmosphere and the blend of action and narrative.

    • “Great story that is often told environmentally, fantastic build diversity and a very novel way to select your own difficulty.”
    • “The story is compelling.”
    • “There is story and the story is just as well thought out as the mechanics and it's just as enjoyable.”
    • “Every single quest comes down to 'go to point A, hack the thing, get the next quest and again, go to point B now and hack the server there.'”
    • “There isn't much in terms of story, but I feel that can come later or even in future iterations.”
    • “Currently without a storyline or quests (coming soon), the obvious goal is to dominate all the servers.”
  • graphics82 mentions

    The graphics of the game are heavily inspired by the Tron aesthetic, featuring a striking, minimalistic, and neon-heavy design that resonates well with fans of cyberpunk themes. While many players appreciate the unique visual style and smooth performance, some have noted issues with lag and the simplicity of the graphics, which may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the visuals are praised for their coherence and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, making it a standout feature for those who enjoy the genre.

    • “The visuals have a nice, immediately striking style that is very simple and geometrical but also perfectly suits the vibe it's going for.”
    • “Black Ice is an open-world hacker-themed looter shooter with visuals heavily inspired by Tron.”
    • “The graphics are minimalistic and give the game an aesthetic that works very well for the setting.”
    • “Many people will be turned off by the visuals, or by the seemingly same nature of the primary action in the game being the same play pattern.”
    • “The graphics are very simplistic looking, but for this game, it works well.”
    • “The only issue is I can hear my graphic card working very hard when this game is running.”
  • music42 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its engaging and atmospheric qualities, drawing heavy inspiration from '80s and '90s retro and cyberpunk themes. Players appreciate the catchy soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, with many noting its ability to evoke nostalgia while complementing the fast-paced action. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's fun and immersive vibe.

    • “The music really adds to the atmosphere of the game too, from the frantic fast-paced music during a hack to the '80s-'90s cyberpunk infused ambient music that puts you into a different world.”
    • “The soundtrack is awesome, fits the cyber-tron-esque look and gets you fighting hard.”
    • “With its pretty colors, good music, and fast pace, this game is so much fun for me.”
    • “The amount of possible songs playing during combat is a bit small.”
    • “This game is what movie hacking was in the '80s, set to smooth music with a responsive dev team, and it almost comes with a damp basement smell.”
    • “I especially love the dark earthbound ambient music that plays, but some new battle tunes would be nice, maybe even a dubstep kind of number.”
  • grinding15 mentions

    The game heavily emphasizes grinding, appealing to players who enjoy farming for loot and engaging in combat, reminiscent of 80s hacker films. While some players find the progression balanced and enjoyable, others may feel the repetitive nature of grinding can lead to boredom, especially in the absence of a compelling story or objectives. Overall, it caters well to those who thrive on grinding mechanics, but may deter players who prefer a more varied gameplay experience.

    • “+ It's not really tedious; you can take on whatever server and however many you want at a time.”
    • “There is no story (yet) and no real objectives besides getting to higher and higher levels by grinding and defeating the main server.”
    • “There just doesn't feel like there is much purpose yet beyond loot grinding without the upcoming quest system.”
    • “However, those who aren’t fond of grinding could find themselves getting bored quite fast.”
  • replayability14 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by a vibrant community, extensive customization options, and diverse gameplay styles. Players appreciate the variety of weapons, abilities, and multiplayer setups that encourage repeated playthroughs. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to continually engage them, making it a title they look forward to revisiting.

    • “It's always improving, has an amazing Discord, great community, and tons of replay value.”
    • “Mobility and quick thinking are rewarded, and the perk system makes the game extremely replayable.”
    • “The storyline itself can keep you entertained for a couple of hours, and after you've completed the main story, the game offers some replayability afterward for those who are interested in more.”
    • “Frankly, the number of combinations is staggering, with endless replayability.”
    • “I love old-school FPS games and find them more replayable than anything else.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its captivating cyberpunk aesthetic, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack that ranges from fast-paced music during intense moments to ambient tunes reminiscent of the '80s and '90s. Players appreciate the minimalist design and stylized visuals, which contribute to an engaging and immersive experience, making the atmosphere a standout feature alongside the addictive gameplay. Overall, the combination of visuals, music, and thematic elements creates a unique and enjoyable world for players.

    • “The music really adds to the atmosphere of the game too, from the frantic fast-paced music during a hack to the '80s-'90s cyberpunk infused ambient music that puts you into a different world.”
    • “The core moment-to-moment gameplay is fun, it's very stylized and the atmosphere feels great; it really nails the minimalist cyberpunk theme.”
    • “It has great atmosphere and a unique feel to it.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is very addicting and still feels like a retro FPS, the atmosphere is also really captivating for how simple it is.”
    • “I had a blast, for the gameplay absolutely but I think actually most for the story and atmosphere.”
    • “The music really adds to the atmosphere of the game too, from the frantic fast-paced music during a hack to the '80s-'90s 'cyberpunk' infused ambient music that puts you into a different world.”
  • stability8 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with some players experiencing notable glitches, such as enemies getting stuck and occasional freezes during multiplayer sessions, particularly with larger parties. While it is less buggy than Cyberpunk 2077, players have reported minor issues that can impact gameplay, though overall performance is commendable, especially on the Steam Deck.

    • “It runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “The game maintains a smooth frame rate throughout, ensuring a stable experience.”
    • “I've encountered very few bugs, which speaks to the overall stability of the game.”
    • “It isn't yet finished, with some areas under construction, and there are some prevalent glitches (most notorious is enemies getting stuck in walls and having to restart servers because of it).”
    • “Only issue that I have experienced since then is that the game freezes for some players in our party when the size is 4 or more players.”
    • “You'll lose an hour of XP because of these little freezes.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The game is praised for its humor, featuring a wealth of content filled with clever references and amusing details, such as a minigun that shoots silver hammers. Players appreciate the lighthearted tone and the entertaining elements that enhance the overall experience.

    • “There's lots of content and it's full of references to things; some of them I don't get, but are still funny, like a minigun that shoots hammers made out of silver.”
    • “This door will give you some info on the company you are about to hack, and to be honest, it's humorous and I like it.”
    • “+ Nice humor and little details in the game, as well as a couple of funny references.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players noting smooth performance and minimal lag, even on older hardware. However, some users express a desire for further improvements in optimization to enhance the experience.

    • “I'm glad for that, this is a well-made game and the constant development has only optimized it.”
    • “From the technical side of things, the game runs well without any performance issues.”
    • “Optimization - this game runs very well, I've experienced almost no lag and my PC is old. My frame rate is generally very steady; there are maybe one or two things that can cause some frame rate issues, but it's rare.”
    • “All in all, I wish this game was more optimized.”
    • “Optimization - this game runs very well, I’ve gotten almost no lag and my PC is old… my frame rate is generally very steady, there are maybe one or two things that can cause some frame rate issues, but it's rare.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization of Black Ice has been criticized as resembling a cash grab, with developers making frequent announcements leading up to launch but failing to engage with the community afterward. Players feel that the game is heavily laden with advertisements and promotional content, detracting from its potential as an engaging experience.

    • “Black Ice was honestly one of those games that gave the impression back in 2013 that it was a quick cash grab, making consistent announcements up to launch day and then ghosting its community.”
    • “This has the potential to be a great game, but everything about it feels like a flavored advertisement.”
    • “A robotic dungeon crawler set in a computer world where ads, scripts, popups, and hacks are transformed into disturbing spider monstrosities.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Reviewers highlight that the emotional depth of the game is significantly enhanced by its unique talents and perks, which not only influence gameplay but also create a more immersive and impactful experience compared to other RPGs.

  • character development1 mentions

    Reviewers note a noticeable sense of character development, indicating that characters evolve and grow throughout the game, enhancing the overall narrative experience.

    • “The character development is incredibly rich and engaging.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic.”
    • “The depth of each character's backstory adds layers to their development, making me invested in their growth.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

13hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
10-29hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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