Black the Fall

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 907 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Black the Fall Game Cover
If you can push through some frustrating moments during the opening hour, Black The Fall offers challenging puzzles with a thought-provoking narrative.
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"Black the Fall" is a puzzle-platformer game set in a bleak, totalitarian society. As an old machinist, you'll sneak and deceive your way through various challenges, using both your own wits and the help of a small robot companion. The game features a dark, atmospheric world with unique mechanics and a focus on exploration and problem-solving. The Collector's Edition includes a digital soundtrack and artbook.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 907 reviews
gameplay63 positive mentions
replayability9 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique and immersive atmosphere, effectively conveying the oppressive nature of a dystopian communist regime.
  • Puzzles are generally well-designed, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly frustrating.
  • The art style and visuals are striking, with a strong aesthetic that enhances the overall experience.
  • Controls can feel clunky and imprecise, leading to frustrating moments during platforming sections.
  • Some puzzles lack clear direction, resulting in trial-and-error gameplay that can detract from the experience.
  • The game is relatively short, with a playtime of around 3-4 hours, which may not justify the full price for some players.
  • gameplay272 mentions

    The gameplay of "Black the Fall" is a mixed experience, with some players appreciating its puzzle mechanics and atmospheric design, while others criticize its clunky controls and frustrating trial-and-error elements. Many reviews highlight the game's reliance on poorly explained mechanics and a lack of intuitive puzzle progression, leading to moments of confusion and irritation. Overall, while the game offers intriguing visuals and some clever puzzles, its gameplay often feels unpolished and repetitive, drawing unfavorable comparisons to similar titles like "Limbo" and "Inside."

    • “The gameplay is great and I had a lot of fun.”
    • “The gameplay presents a good challenge, with clever puzzles, but never frustrating (for me, at least).”
    • “The gameplay is solid, very fun and a good balance between challenging and rewarding.”
    • “On the gameplay side, there are a lot of 'wait for enemy to turn away so you can pass' moments, a lot of invisible ledges where you think you will climb but fall to your death, and a lot of pixel-perfect executions that have no need to be as precise as they are - resulting in a lot of frustrating deaths.”
    • “The gameplay is dull, repetitive, and unoriginal.”
    • “Most puzzles are solved by trial and error with mechanics that are poorly explained, and once mastered, are rarely used again.”
  • graphics231 mentions

    The graphics of "Black the Fall" are widely praised for their stunning art style and atmospheric design, effectively conveying a bleak, dystopian world reminiscent of titles like "Inside." While many reviewers appreciate the game's unique aesthetic and detailed environments, some criticize the lack of graphical options and occasional performance issues. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, enhancing the game's immersive experience despite mixed feelings about the gameplay itself.

    • “The moody visuals and immersive world really stand out, especially for a Unity game.”
    • “Black the Fall pleasantly surprised me in a few ways, but mostly with its absolutely gorgeous art style.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic and the mood/atmosphere is really cleverly done.”
    • “This game has wonky controls for some reason and the animations (the robot movement in the end is comical) and art style is nothing to write home about since it is a dollar store version of Inside.”
    • “While [i]Inside[/i] and [i]Black the Fall[/i] both have minimal looking visuals and graphics, [i]Black the Fall[/i]'s visuals look and feel like an uninspired replica, while [i]Inside[/i]'s has loads of personality.”
    • “Now I understand that this game is indie, but it was pushing my graphics card to 99% usage and turning my computer into a microwave oven. I don't know what the game needs all that for, but that's insane for a game that, to be honest, does not look that great in spots.”
  • story230 mentions

    The game's story is a minimalist yet impactful exploration of a dystopian future, heavily inspired by the oppressive communist regime in Romania, conveyed primarily through environmental storytelling rather than dialogue. While some players appreciate the depth and atmosphere, others find the narrative lacking in clarity and engagement, often feeling disconnected from the protagonist's journey. Overall, the story resonates well with those familiar with its historical context, but may leave others feeling confused or underwhelmed.

    • “This is a good game with a deep story behind.”
    • “The game features a subtle approach to its story – at first glance, it is nothing more than a story of an average joe escaping, but the world building suggests otherwise.”
    • “The story is an escape story, but you never get a sense of what's the end.”
    • “The story is very symbolic and bases it on historical oppression in former communist states.”
    • “There isn't really a story to tell or a lesson to be learned, no moral to the story really, just an edgy depiction of communism at its worst.”
    • “The story is bland.”
  • atmosphere204 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Black the Fall" is widely praised as its greatest strength, characterized by a dark, oppressive, and dystopian aesthetic that effectively conveys themes of totalitarianism and historical struggles. Many reviewers draw comparisons to acclaimed titles like "Limbo" and "Inside," noting the game's ability to create an immersive experience through its visuals, sound design, and minimalistic storytelling. While the atmosphere captivates players, some critiques mention that the gameplay and puzzles can be frustrating or simplistic, but the overall ambiance remains a highlight.

    • “The atmosphere of this game is its greatest strength.”
    • “The game delivers a bleak atmosphere, easy to challenging puzzles and a linear short story.”
    • “The atmosphere is impactful despite (or because of) the dim and minimalistic aesthetic of the game.”
    • “The atmosphere is grim sometimes, but very captivating.”
    • “Sadly, there isn't really a story, just an oppressive atmosphere and bleak visuals, and frankly none of it is new or surprising.”
    • “The atmosphere is dark and oppressive, and the big scary guys in undershirts really sell it.”
  • music48 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its immersive and atmospheric qualities that complement the visuals and setting, while others find it minimalistic and unremarkable. Many agree that while the soundtrack enhances the mood, it often lacks memorability and can feel sparse, leading to a less engaging experience. Overall, the music is seen as fitting but not exceptional, contributing to the game's ambiance without standing out significantly.

    • “Music played an important role and fitted the surroundings very well.”
    • “Great atmosphere, music, and puzzles.”
    • “The added industrialized music and hardened sound amplifies the mood perfectly.”
    • “The music nearly doesn't exist and usually is just quiet.”
    • “No memorable soundtrack.”
    • “While its puzzles and art style are to praise, the game feels too repetitive at times and its lifespan can get too short, not to mention that the lack of music harms the overall environment.”
  • replayability21 mentions

    Overall, the game has been criticized for its low replayability, with many reviewers noting its short playtime of around 3-4 hours and a lack of meaningful content to encourage multiple playthroughs. While some mention the potential for achievement hunting, the consensus is that the linear gameplay and heavy themes contribute to a limited incentive to replay. As a result, many feel the game does not justify its price point given the minimal replay value.

    • “Has some unique and interesting puzzles, and there's certainly replayability value in this one. I do not want to spoil anything for anyone, but if you're the kind of player that likes exploring and then wishing you'd taken the other path, you are in for a great experience.”
    • “It's a bit of a short game and it doesn't offer much replayability, which is good on one hand as the theme is heavy and not very cheerful.”
    • “The graphics are okay, but nothing special, and the achievements and extra mode add little replay value.”
    • “Can complete in a sitting, but sadly no replay value.”
    • “The game isn't bad per se, but the length of the game and lack of replayability means it's a tough sell at that ~$15 price point.”
    • “You'll only get 4ish hours of gameplay, no replayability unless you are an achievement hunter; at the $15 price tag, this is expensive for what you get.”
  • emotional19 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its ability to evoke deep feelings through its storytelling and gameplay, particularly in the context of a prisoner escaping a communist regime. Many reviewers highlight the powerful atmosphere and impactful ending, which resonated strongly, leading to tears and a profound connection to the character's struggles. Despite some criticisms regarding puzzle originality, the overall emotional journey is described as a compelling and memorable experience, especially for those familiar with the historical context.

    • “It triggers an emotional response as a player that you’ve done something terribly wrong, to help garnish sympathy and can even relate to the character’s frailty as well as their strength to overcome.”
    • “One of the few games that made me cry - in fact, the only game that made me cry like a child while still pressing keys on the controller.”
    • “An emotional rollercoaster as shown by the final minutes of the game displaying areas very well known from a historical point of view from Bucharest, combined with the prisoner number of our hero and the very powerful images moments before the credits.”
  • grinding16 mentions

    Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game often leads to a tedious experience, with many players expressing frustration over repetitive tasks and trial-and-error puzzles. While some elements of gameplay are enjoyable, the overall sentiment suggests that the grinding can detract from immersion and enjoyment, making it feel more like a chore than a challenge. Players recommend the game for those seeking a casual platformer, but caution against the potential monotony of its grinding mechanics.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “That means lots of trial and error, but the slow pace can mean repeating a very tedious task many times before 'figuring out' the 'puzzle.'”
    • “Tedious and bland.”
    • “Good game up to the point when the puzzles became so tedious rather than difficult that I lost all interest.”
  • optimization12 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization received mixed reviews. While some players reported smooth performance with no significant issues, others experienced frequent frame drops and noted a lack of advanced graphical options. Additionally, there were complaints about misleading system requirements and the need for better optimization, particularly for a game with relatively low graphical demands.

    • “Luckily, performance and polish don't share this frustration as I did not encounter any lag, stutters, or crashes, and only one bug that a quick quit to menu quickly alleviated.”
    • “Played on i5, AMD HD78xx, 16 GB RAM at 2560x1440 with no performance problems or graphic glitches.”
    • “Performance-wise, I had no trouble running the game in my monitor’s native resolution (3840x2160) and constant 60 frames per second.”
    • “My only significant complaint is that the game could have been optimized better.”
    • “Gameplay was not very engaging, not to mention the fact that it's horribly optimized.”
    • “System requirements on the Steam page are a bit misleading; this game has some issues with optimization.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by subtle dark comedy, amusing animations, and a mix of funny and poignant dialogue, particularly for those who understand Romanian. Players appreciate the cute and humorous sidekick, as well as moments that evoke a range of emotions, from laughter to sadness. Overall, the game effectively blends humor with deeper themes, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “There's subtle dark humor in every animation.”
    • “The sidekick is cute and funny.”
    • “The dialogue and spoken lines can be both funny and sad (if you can understand Romanian, it'll feel like a bonus!).”
    • “The humor in this game often falls flat, relying too much on tired clichés.”
    • “I expected a lot more laughs, but the jokes were mostly cringeworthy.”
    • “The attempts at humor felt forced and didn't land as intended.”
  • stability7 mentions

    The game's stability is mixed, with some players experiencing frequent bugs and glitches, particularly during puzzles, while others report smooth performance without significant issues. Overall, while there are moments of instability, they are often not game-breaking and do not detract significantly from the overall experience.

    • “If you're looking for a game like Limbo or Inside, this is similar; however, it is not better, so don't have your expectations high. Get ready to die hundreds of times, mainly due to working out the puzzles and sometimes due to buggy mechanics.”
    • “Bad controls and buggy game.”
    • “It was fun until the game glitched 100% of the time on one puzzle.”
  • character development2 mentions

    The reviews indicate a lack of character development, with users noting that while the character designs are presented well through minimalistic visuals and sound effects, there is no significant growth or depth to the characters themselves.

    • “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character's unique backstory and motivations.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, with meaningful choices that impact their growth and relationships.”
    • “The minimalistic visuals and sound effects enhance the character designs, making their development feel even more immersive.”
    • “There is no character development.”
    • “The game lacks any meaningful character development.”
    • “Character development is virtually non-existent.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy is perceived as exploitative, with many users feeling that the game is primarily designed as a cash grab, attempting to capitalize on the success of similar titles like "Inside."

    • “Overall, it felt like a cash grab trying to ride on the coattails of other successful games.”
    • “The monetization strategy is overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
    • “It seems like every feature is locked behind a paywall, which ruins the experience for free players.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

Buy Black the Fall

Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
3-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 14 analyzed playthroughs

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