Black Mirror III
- April 2, 2014
- Cranberry Production
"Black Mirror III" is the final chapter of the horror trilogy, where Darren Michaels, the primary suspect in a fatal crime, is released from prison and continues his search to uncover the truth about his past and nightmarish visions. Plagued by sleepless nights and haunted by specters of murder, Darren must find answers to his tortured existence. With no release date or developer/publisher mentioned, the game promises a thrilling and suspenseful horror experience.
Reviews
- The game provides a satisfying conclusion to the Black Mirror trilogy, wrapping up storylines from the previous installments effectively.
- The atmosphere, graphics, and voice acting are praised for their quality, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
- The puzzles, while sometimes challenging, are generally well-designed and contribute to the narrative progression.
- Many players found the puzzles to be illogical or frustrating, with some requiring the use of walkthroughs to progress.
- The pacing of the story is criticized for being slow, particularly in the later chapters, leading to a feeling of tedium.
- Some players experienced bugs and glitches that hindered gameplay, including game-breaking issues that forced them to skip puzzles.
- story119 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story in "Black Mirror III" serves as a continuation and conclusion to the narrative established in the previous two games, wrapping up various plot threads in a cohesive manner. While many players appreciated the intriguing atmosphere and character development, some criticized the pacing and convoluted elements, particularly in the final act, which felt rushed or unresolved. Overall, the game is seen as a fitting end to the trilogy, though opinions vary on its execution and depth compared to its predecessors.
“All the story threads from 1 and 2 are wrapped up here in a surprisingly cohesive way.”
“The final game in the trilogy, and a great wrap-up to the story and its many mysteries.”
“The story is well structured, coherent, and engaging across the entire series.”
“The plot has become a lazy Dan Brown pastiche - and I stopped playing when I came across a letter from the pope from 1213 written in modern English and read out to me in excruciating, completely irrelevant detail.”
“And, while BM2 is still to blame for that (mostly), BM3's own late-game story developments, up to the finale itself, are so contrived, contradictory, weird, and unnatural, that instead it feels like a desperate attempt to wrap things up and call it a day.”
“Sadly, the game's story literally collapses in the last 'act.' It's almost as if someone else wrote that part of the game.”
- graphics29 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their beauty and attention to detail, creating a vibrant and immersive environment that enhances the overall experience. While the first installment is noted for its more basic visuals, the later entries in the trilogy showcase significant improvements, with sharper graphics and more polished backgrounds that contribute to a captivating atmosphere. However, some reviews mention that while the graphics are good, they are not groundbreaking, and certain aspects of character interaction could be better.
“The graphics are beautiful in this game; it's a joy to wander around exploring and finding things.”
“The first time I played BM III, I was taken by the beautiful graphics, great voice acting, and the soundtrack, which generally adds a level of emotional involvement in the game for the player...much like suspense-building tracks in a feature film.”
“The atmosphere was great, as always, with detailed graphics and a perfect mix of music and sound effects.”
“The first installment of BM might be a tad too 'old school' for younger players as the graphics are quite basic in comparison to today's highly fluid ones.”
“Terrible graphics for 2011.”
“Graphics are essentially similar to the second part albeit a bit more detailed.”
- gameplay17 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay in the third installment has been criticized for regressing from the mechanics of the first two games, with inconsistencies and functionality issues in key systems. While it retains some enjoyable elements and quality of life improvements, such as fast travel, many players feel it lacks the refinement and polish of its predecessor. Overall, the gameplay is considered solid but not without its flaws, making it an average experience in the series.
“Despite this complaint, the gameplay is incredibly fun for the most part and the story is charming and provides a somewhat satisfying ending.”
“The gameplay, like the second game, is still pretty good, but there were some tiny tedious parts. Other than that, it was pretty solid; also, they put back the fast travel, which cuts down a lot of the tedium.”
“The gameplay is much the same as in the other games; nothing to complain about here.”
“While the second game was a refinement in gameplay, with several quality of life additions, this third game is not just a step back; it even regresses from the gameplay mechanics of the first.”
“For me, it did not really add anything to the game and it tried to mimic some party mechanics found in isometric RPGs, which do not translate well in adventure games.”
“It is made in the same engine as the second one and is mechanically identical, but with no quick time events.”
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its immersive, dark, and gothic qualities, effectively enhancing the storytelling and emotional depth. Reviewers note the continuity from previous installments, with a more oppressive tone that heightens suspense and narrative stakes. Overall, the combination of detailed graphics, sound design, and character development contributes to a captivating and atmospheric experience.
“This game retains the atmosphere, style, and interface from the second installment, which is great for continuity.”
“Featuring a dark, gloomy, and very immersive atmosphere while traveling around Black Mirror Castle and surroundings to uncover an ancient curse.”
“The atmosphere of this game is quite a bit more oppressive than the previous entries, especially once the curse and the stakes fully come into focus, so be prepared for far more narrative adversity than ever before.”
“You find back its mesmerizing atmosphere, and morally injured hero investigating his past.”
“Same as in Black Mirror I & II, atmosphere remains a core part of the experience.”
- music13 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack for enhancing immersion and emotional engagement, akin to film scores. While some tracks are described as beautiful and atmospheric, there are occasional criticisms regarding the volume and intensity of the music, which can become overwhelming during tense moments. Overall, the soundtrack effectively complements the game's visuals and narrative, contributing to a compelling gaming experience.
“The soundtrack matches the game perfectly and aids in the immersion of the game.”
“The first time I played, I was taken by the beautiful graphics, great voice acting, and the soundtrack which generally adds a level of emotional involvement in the game for the player... much like suspense-building tracks in a feature film.”
“The atmosphere was great, as always, with detailed graphics and a perfect mix of music and sound effects.”
“How the hell can I know what the musical notes mean?!!”
“Sometimes the music gets very loud and overwhelming (ok, ok, I get it, something bad is about to happen!);”
“There are a few places you might die, but if you pay attention to the ill-fated music, and also to what the player is afraid of, you'll know it's time to save before the next move :)”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the clever dialogue and sarcasm that enhance the storyline, others criticize the main protagonist's poor voice acting and lackluster comedic timing. Overall, the humor adds a dynamic element to the game, though it can sometimes feel forced or out of place amidst darker themes.
“A well-established storyline, full of details, conversations, humor, sarcasm, and good taste!”
“Overall good stories and puzzles, and a bit of a sense of humor.”
“With Adrian's sense of humor, this game is even better!”
- grinding6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the introduction of fast travel alleviates some tedium, there are still numerous tedious tasks and puzzles that detract from the enjoyment. Many reviewers noted that despite improvements from the previous installment, certain mundane elements remain frustrating, leading to a sense of unnecessary repetition throughout the gameplay.
“B3 is a bit tedious but still seems like the stick removal surgery they performed in B2 held in this title as well.”
“Only real complaint was that there was a little bit of mundane tediousness that didn't seem needed and the ending felt rushed and poorly done with a terrible and cheesy cutscene.”
“2/3rds of the game being spent trying to prove the protagonist's innocence in regard to a serious series of events that had taken place in B2, only to end up solving one tedious and aggravating puzzle after another, just to break the Gordon family's curse!”
- character development3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted as a significant strength, with improved voice acting, storytelling, and visuals enhancing the player's connection to the characters. Players express a genuine interest in the characters' lives, indicating that the focus on character development has effectively compensated for the diminished suspense of the murder mystery. Overall, the character arcs are engaging and well-crafted, contributing positively to the game's experience.
“I feel I'm most annoyed by this because I truly enjoyed the character development in the game and was interested in these people.”
“Since the thrills of a murder mystery are gone, the focus shifts to character development and the daily life of Willow Creek.”
“The voice acting is stronger, the story is stronger, the character development is stronger, the visuals are far better drawn, and even the score is better; most importantly, the puzzles are far better.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game experiences some stability issues, particularly with a few glitches that occur towards the end, which can significantly impact gameplay if players save at inopportune moments. Overall, while the glitches are present, they are not pervasive throughout the entire experience.
“All I can knock the game for are a few glitches, mostly near the end of the game, but ones that can have an outsized effect if you save in the wrong place.”
“There are a few glitches.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the emotional depth of the game, attributing it to its stunning graphics, exceptional voice acting, and a soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, similar to the suspenseful music found in films. This combination effectively immerses players in the game's emotional landscape.
“The first time I played BM III, I was taken by the beautiful graphics, great voice acting, and the soundtrack, which generally adds a level of emotional involvement in the game for the player, much like suspense-building tracks in a feature film.”
“The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me, making their struggles feel personal and impactful.”
“I found myself genuinely moved by the storyline; it was a rollercoaster of emotions that left a lasting impression.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players generally find the game to have good replay value, indicating that it offers enough variety and engaging content to encourage multiple playthroughs.
“The game has excellent replay value, keeping me engaged for hours.”
“I love how each playthrough feels unique, thanks to the different choices and outcomes.”
“The variety of paths and strategies makes me want to replay the game multiple times.”