Black Mirror III

About

Black Mirror III is a single player action game with horror and mystery themes. It was developed by Cranberry Production and was released on April 2, 2014. It received positive reviews from players.

In the final chapter of this acclaimed horror trilogy, Black Mirror 3: Final Fear picks up right where the thrilling ending to Black Mirror 2: Reigning Evil left off.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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86%

Audience ScoreBased on 284 reviews

story72 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

The game provides a satisfying conclusion to the Black Mirror trilogy, wrapping up storylines from the previous installments.
The graphics and atmosphere are praised for their beauty and immersive quality, enhancing the overall experience.
The character development and voice acting are generally well-received, with some characters being particularly memorable.

Many puzzles are criticized for being illogical or frustrating, with some players resorting to guides to progress.
The pacing of the story is often described as slow, leading to moments of boredom and disengagement.
Several bugs and glitches are reported, including game-breaking issues that hinder progress, particularly in certain puzzles.

story
238 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
67%
3%
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 and dark elements of the story, some found it convoluted and felt that the pacing faltered towards the end, leading to a somewhat unsatisfying climax. Overall, the game is recommended for those who have played the earlier installments, as it provides a deeper understanding of the characters and their journeys.
- “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.”
- “I was not disappointed, great story and a fantastic continuation and finish to the trilogy.”
- “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.”
graphics
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
50%
5%
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their beauty and attention to detail, creating a vibrant and immersive atmosphere that enhances exploration. While the earlier installment is considered somewhat outdated, the later entries in the trilogy showcase improved visuals that are more polished and modernized, making navigation a pleasure. Overall, the artwork is well-received, though some critiques note that the graphics are not groundbreaking and can vary in quality across the series.
- “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 graphics are just as sharp, if not sharper than before, making navigating and exploring a sublime pleasure (or at least as much as it can be in the dismal English countryside).”
- “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.”
gameplay
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
62%
9%
The gameplay in the third installment has been criticized for regressing from the mechanics of the first two games, with inconsistencies in key functions and a lack of quality of life improvements. While some players found the gameplay enjoyable and praised the return of fast travel, others noted tedious elements and a failure to innovate beyond the previous titles. Overall, the gameplay remains solid but is seen as a missed opportunity for further refinement and enhancement.
- “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. They also put back the fast travel, which cuts down a lot of the tedium.”
- “Puzzles make sense (e.g. the protagonist is a physics student, and quite a few of his puzzle-solving revolve around chemistry and mechanical repair rather than finding a special key to fit into a special lock under a special day with a full moon).”
- “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.”
atmosphere
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
35%
9%
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, highlighting a more oppressive tone that aligns with the narrative's stakes and themes. The combination of detailed graphics, sound design, and character development contributes to a captivating experience that resonates with fans of atmospheric storytelling.
- “Featuring a dark, gloomy and very immersive atmosphere while traveling around Black Mirror Castle and surroundings to uncover an ancient curse.”
- “The atmosphere was great, as always, with detailed graphics and a perfect mix of music and sound effects.”
- “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.”
music
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
34%
12%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its ability to enhance immersion and emotional engagement, akin to film scores. The soundtrack features a mix of haunting and dramatic compositions that evolve with the gameplay, although some players find certain tracks overwhelming at times. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, complementing the visuals and voice acting effectively.
- “The soundtrack matches the game perfectly and aids in the immersion of the game.”
- “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 soundtrack evolves in tandem with these changes: loud, dramatic strings have now been replaced by soothing and ominous piano tunes composed by Zdeněk Houb.”
- “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-fating music, and also to what the player is afraid of, you'll know it's time to save before the next move :)”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is polarizing; while some players appreciate the clever dialogue and sarcasm that enhance the storyline, others criticize the main protagonist's poor voice acting and lackluster sense of humor. Despite mixed opinions, many find the humor adds a dynamic element to the character interactions, making the overall experience more enjoyable.
- “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.”
- “He's funny, clever, and driven in turn and very few scenes fall flat thanks to the newfound dynamism of his character.”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, noting that while the gameplay remains solid and the introduction of fast travel alleviates some tedium, there are still numerous tedious tasks and aggravating puzzles that detract from the overall enjoyment. Many reviews highlight that despite improvements from previous titles, the game still suffers from moments of unnecessary mundanity, particularly in the latter parts of the story.
- “Bm3 is a bit tedious but still seems like the stick removal surgery they performed in bm2 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 bm2, only to end up solving one tedious and aggravating puzzle after another, just to break the Gordon family's curse!”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
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. Reviewers express a deep interest in the characters' lives, indicating that the shift from a murder mystery to a focus on daily life in Willow Creek has enriched the overall narrative 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.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game experiences some stability issues, particularly with a few glitches that tend to occur towards the end. These glitches can significantly impact gameplay, especially if players save at critical moments. Overall, while the game is mostly stable, these issues may detract from the 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.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players highlight the emotional depth of the game, attributing it to its stunning graphics, exceptional voice acting, and a compelling soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, similar to the way music builds suspense in films.
- “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.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Users consistently highlight that the game offers good replay value, indicating that players find it enjoyable to revisit and play multiple times.
- “The game has excellent replay value, keeping me engaged for hours.”
- “I find the replay value to be outstanding, with new experiences every time.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes gives the game fantastic replayability.”