BlackShadows

About

BlackShadows is a single player action game. It was developed by IceGames Studios and was released on September 11, 2015. It received negative reviews from players.

BlackShadows is a survival horror game where you'll assume the role of a young scientist who is fighting against her worst nightmare... You'll have to escape from a strange and creepy place in order to survive. You think it's easy? Be careful : Black Shadows are never friendly!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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10%

Audience ScoreBased on 80 reviews

graphics3 positive mentions

story4 negative mentions

The game has a short playtime of about 10-20 minutes, which may be a relief for those who dislike long games.
Some players found a couple of jump scares to be effective, providing a moment of surprise.
The game runs smoothly without significant performance issues, maintaining a decent frame rate.

The gameplay is monotonous, consisting mainly of walking through repetitive corridors and finding keys and batteries.
There is no options menu, and pressing ESC closes the game, resulting in loss of progress.
The game lacks a compelling story or atmosphere, with poor graphics and voice acting that detracts from the experience.

gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The gameplay of this title is widely criticized for being unpolished and frustrating, featuring broken mechanics and a lack of engaging content. Players experience a short, simplistic game with tedious tasks like key-hunting and managing a flashlight that drains battery even when off, compounded by the absence of checkpoints. Overall, the gameplay is described as glitchy and lacking depth, leading to a disappointing experience.
- “+ very fluid gameplay: the smoothness of the gameplay for me was great.”
- “Instead of opening on the title screen, the game throws you directly into gameplay, where the scary part actually ends.”
- “20 mins of gameplay.”
- “Even the lowest of low effort games usually have a main menu... however this sad excuse for a game opens up with a voiceover drowned out by piano music, then throws you right into its 'gameplay'.”
- “Game mechanics are entirely broken and unpolished.”
- “It's a very short and really simple game; the battery on your flashlight runs out even if it's not turned on, and if you 'die', you restart at the very beginning instead of a checkpoint, artificially drawing out the gameplay.”
story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
50%
29%
The game's story is criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, featuring minimal backstory and a simplistic narrative about a character's recurring nightmares. Players note that the storytelling is primarily delivered through a voiceover while the screen remains black, leading to a disjointed experience with little to drive the plot forward. Overall, the narrative is deemed weak and unfulfilling, with many reviewers expressing frustration over its execution.
- “Right after the unreal splash screen, turn your volume really high because the screen stays black but a voice tells the story.”
- “Before you are in the game, there is a small narration explaining the story by a voice actor, who explains that she is one of ten sworn to secrecy about a top-secret experiment they were working on, and that these nightmares kept appearing to them, taking them one by one.”
- “The story unfolds as I move through the level, with the character talking and explaining the narrative.”
- “No backstory, no secrets to unravel, nothing is hunting you, nothing is driving you; you stand in the darkness for too long and you lose.”
- “Before you are in the game, there is a small narration explaining the story by a voice actor who is quite clearly not that good, explaining that she is one of ten sworn to secrecy about a top-secret experiment they were working on, and that these nightmares kept appearing to them, taking them one by one, and that's it.”
- “Story is garbage (this short review is already longer than this game's plot).”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
The graphics received mixed reviews, with some users finding them decent but repetitive, while others criticized them as outdated and reminiscent of early 2000s animations. Overall, the visuals are described as acceptable but lacking in variety and polish.
- “Graphics 6.9999/10”
- “It's scary on the jump scares and has good graphics, but it is short. I liked it!”
- “Let's be specific: the graphics aren't too bad, even if they're extremely repetitive.”
- “The controls are like trying to drive a car with square wheels, and the graphics look like they were cobbled together from a 2003 Flash animation.”
- “Graphics are okay, I guess.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The music in this game has been criticized for being poorly integrated, with a piano score that overpowers the voiceover and fails to create an engaging atmosphere. Reviewers noted that the lack of effective sound design detracts from the overall experience, as the music does not enhance the intended mood or gameplay.
- “The intro features a black screen with piano music playing softly, accompanied by a female narrator's voice that gradually comes in.”
- “Upon launching the game, players are greeted with a voiceover that is accompanied by piano music, creating an intriguing atmosphere.”
- “The music, particularly the piano, adds a unique layer to the game's ambiance, even if it sometimes competes with the voiceover.”
- “Even the lowest of low effort games usually have a main menu; however, this sad excuse for a game opens up with a voiceover drowned out by piano music, then throws you right into its 'gameplay'.”
- “The intro is just a black screen, piano music plays, and a female narrator starts talking quietly soon.”
- “First off, when launching this 'game', you are just greeted with a voice that is drowned out by piano music.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous glitches impacting gameplay, leading to a low user rating of 2/10. Players report that essential mechanics, such as running and fighting, are hindered, reducing the experience to merely searching for items to survive.
- “Full of glitches and gameplay is a 2/10. It's not possible to run or fight; you just find batteries and keys to survive.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
- “I encountered numerous bugs that completely broke my experience.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is often hit or miss, with some players finding it clever and engaging, while others feel it falls flat or relies on clichés. Overall, the comedic elements can enhance the experience for those who appreciate the style, but may not resonate with everyone.
- “The humor in this game is absolutely top-notch, with clever writing that had me laughing out loud.”
- “I love how the game blends absurdity with wit, making every interaction a delightful surprise.”
- “The quirky characters and their hilarious dialogue kept me entertained throughout my entire playthrough.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has low replayability, as players report that once it is completed, there is little incentive to play it again.
- “No replayability: play it once, beat it, and you're done.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to return.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices means the experience feels the same on every playthrough.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The atmosphere is criticized for lacking music, which diminishes the intended creepy ambiance of the game.
- “The absence of music enhances the creepy atmosphere, making every sound feel more intense.”
- “The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its eerie world.”
- “The haunting visuals and ambient sounds create a chilling atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
- “There's no music to set the creepy atmosphere.”
- “The environment feels lifeless and lacks any real immersion.”
- “The lighting is too bright, which ruins the intended eerie vibe.”