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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.

Black Ice screenshot
Black Ice screenshot
Black Ice screenshot
Black Ice screenshot
Black Ice screenshot
Black Ice screenshot
Black Ice screenshot
Black Ice screenshot
Black Ice screenshot
Black Ice screenshot
Black Ice screenshot
+1

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 596 reviews
gameplay64 positive mentions
grinding17 negative mentions

  • The game features a vibrant cyberpunk aesthetic reminiscent of TRON, with colorful visuals and engaging soundtracks that enhance the overall experience.
  • Black Ice offers a unique blend of FPS and RPG elements, allowing players to customize their builds with a wide variety of weapons, abilities, and perks, making each playthrough feel fresh.
  • The developer is highly responsive to community feedback and consistently updates the game, adding new content and improving gameplay mechanics, which shows a strong commitment to the game's growth.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive over time, as the core loop involves hacking servers and defeating similar enemy types without significant variation.
  • Some players have reported issues with enemy visibility and the overall clarity of combat, making it difficult to track enemies amidst the colorful chaos.
  • The game lacks a substantial storyline or quests, which may leave some players feeling unfulfilled after the initial excitement of the gameplay wears off.
  • gameplay
    156 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Black Ice" is characterized by a fast-paced, addictive looter-shooter experience that combines retro FPS mechanics with RPG elements, allowing for extensive character customization and build diversity. Players appreciate the engaging core loop of hacking servers, defeating enemies, and collecting loot, although some note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game is praised for its polished mechanics, vibrant visuals, and the potential for enjoyable multiplayer experiences, despite some technical issues and a desire for more content variety.

    • “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.”
    • “The movement mechanics, the level design, and 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.”
    • “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 gameplay loop gets boring after a while.”
    • “I've just beaten the boss in the volcano area and up until now it looks like the gameplay itself is pretty repetitive.”
    • “Fun for about 2 minutes until you realize the gameplay doesn't evolve past circle-strafing around jumping scorpions.”
  • graphics
    133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their striking, retro-futuristic aesthetic reminiscent of "Tron," featuring vibrant neon colors and a minimalistic design that suits the cyberpunk theme. While some players appreciate the simplicity and smooth performance, others note occasional technical issues and a lack of detail in certain environments. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience for fans of 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.”
    • “The graphics are minimalistic and give the game an aesthetic that works very well for the setting.”
    • “The striking colors and low-poly retro-future aesthetic really add a lot of pop to an otherwise fairly basic game space.”
    • “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.”
    • “I understand that the game is trying to keep the visuals simple, but that doesn't mean that's an excuse for ignoring all the little details.”
  • story
    121 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its cyberpunk aesthetic and engaging elements, while others note that it is still underdeveloped and often conveyed through emails rather than direct narrative. Some players find the storyline entertaining and worth exploring, especially with the promise of future updates, while others feel it lacks depth and connection to the gameplay. Overall, the story adds a layer of intrigue to the looter-shooter mechanics, but its current execution leaves room for improvement.

    • “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.”
    • “The plot delivery is instantaneous, without being abrupt.”
    • “It's a bit light on story, most of which is told via emails with various characters, but there is something there if you want to pay attention to it.”
    • “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's a dissonance between the quests and the gameplay as none of the actions you take within the quests have an obvious impact on the virtual world you're in.”
  • music
    57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its engaging and varied soundtrack, which complements the cyberpunk aesthetic and enhances the overall atmosphere. Many players appreciate the nostalgic influences from '80s and '90s gaming, noting that the tracks are both fun and fitting for the gameplay, whether during intense combat or more relaxed moments. While some tracks stand out as exceptional, others are described as mild or bland, but overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's enjoyment.

    • “The soundtrack is awesome, fits the cyber-tron-esque look and gets you fighting hard.”
    • “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.”
    • “With a great soundtrack that complements the action, this game feels quite complete, and yet keeps expanding with new additions.”
    • “When interfacing with the game, a lot of the UI elements don't give off a polished feel, and just like installing any cracked game from a well-known scene for the first time, you'll feel uncomfortable navigating around with it blasting your favorite chiptune soundtrack.”
    • “The music is wide and plentiful, and while it's mostly mild or bland, none of it is bad and some tracks do stand out.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game exhibits strong replayability, with many players praising its engaging storyline, diverse customization options, and the ability to explore various playstyles. The community support and consistent updates further enhance its longevity, making it a title that players are eager to revisit. However, some critiques mention that certain encounters may feel repetitive, which could limit replay value for some users.

    • “I think this has so much replay value and anticipate that it'll be one of those games that I'm happy to keep coming back to.”
    • “Really fun, solid FPS with tons of replayability thanks to all of the unique items that can be used and all of the different ways to customize your character to fit a specific play style.”
    • “Frankly, the number of combinations is staggering, with endless replayability.”
    • “I can't really recommend it due to the low replayability even with so many encounters because they really are all the same with alternating colors.”
    • “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.”
    • “As the game grows, an increasing number of progression systems are leading to the ability to differentiate your build from the generic default, hugely improving replayability from previous versions.”
  • grinding
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is heavily focused on grinding, appealing to players who enjoy farming for loot and leveling up through repetitive combat. While some find the progression balanced and engaging, others note that it can become tedious and may lead to boredom for those who dislike grinding. Overall, it caters well to fans of the genre, but may not be suitable for players seeking a more streamlined experience.

    • “+ It's not really tedious; you can take on whatever server and however many you want at a time.”
    • “If you don't like grinding for loot you'll never use, punch above your weight & don't forget to play with a friend!”
    • “There is no story (yet) and no real objectives besides getting to higher and higher levels by grinding and defeating the main server.”
    • “However, those who aren’t fond of grinding could find themselves getting bored quite fast.”
  • stability
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is generally acceptable, with some users noting minor bugs and glitches, particularly in multiplayer sessions with larger parties. While there are areas still under construction and occasional freezing issues, the overall experience is less problematic than other titles like Cyberpunk 2077. Players report that while the game can be buggy, it does not significantly detract from gameplay.

    • “It runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience.”
    • “I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs, which makes for a stable gameplay experience.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its captivating simplicity and effective minimalist cyberpunk aesthetic, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack that ranges from frantic beats during gameplay to ambient tunes that immerse players in a unique world. Reviewers highlight how the combination of visual style, music, and engaging gameplay creates a memorable and enjoyable experience, making the atmosphere a standout feature of the game.

    • “The game has a bunch of little things that add to a very interesting and fun gameplay loop, combined with an atmospheric cyber world.”
    • “The other half of what makes this title so enjoyable is the fantastic atmosphere and feel.”
    • “The atmosphere is also really captivating for how simple it is.”
    • “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.”
    • “I think actually most for the story and atmosphere.”
  • humor
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its humor, featuring amusing mission-related antics and a plethora of comically designed weapons and items, including pill-shaped characters and quirky loot descriptions. Players appreciate the clever references and the lighthearted tone, which contribute to entertaining gameplay moments, even if some areas feel underdeveloped. Overall, the humor enhances the experience, making it a highly enjoyable game.

    • “The story stuff is fun to read if you have the time for that, usually just mission-related funny shenanigans, highly recommend.”
    • “The guns are all quite satisfying (with varying degrees of usefulness) and while the loot system isn't anything revolutionary, it's nicely done and when you get a higher tier drop the flavor text that accompanies the item is usually humorous.”
    • “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.”
  • monetization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with no microtransactions or DRM, which is appreciated by players. However, some users feel that the game has a cash grab vibe and is overly reliant on advertisements, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, the responsive developer and the absence of intrusive monetization strategies are highlighted as significant strengths.

    • “Where else are you going to find a game with a really responsive developer, no DRM, no microtransactions, great multiplayer, and tons of depth to explore?”
    • “Black Ice was honestly one of those games that gave the impression back in 2013 where it appears like a quick cash grab while making consistent announcements up to the launch day and then ghost its community.”
    • “This has the potential to be a great game, but everything about it is just flavored advertisement.”
    • “Robotic dungeon crawler taking place in a computer world where ads, scripts, popups, and hacks are turned into disturbing spider monstrosities.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the steady performance and minimal lag even on older PCs, others express a desire for further improvements to enhance the experience.

    • “I'm glad for that; this is a well-made game, and the constant development has only optimized it.”
    • “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.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    While the character design is considered basic, there is a noticeable sense of character development throughout the game, suggesting that characters evolve and grow in meaningful ways.

    • “There's a sense of character development.”
    • “Character design is basic.”
    • “There's a lack of depth in character development.”
    • “The characters feel one-dimensional and uninteresting.”
  • emotional
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

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

Buy Black Ice

11h Median play time
13h Average play time
6-22h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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