Blackwake

About

Blackwake is a multiplayer casual shooter game with a historical theme. It was developed by Mastfire Studios Pty Ltd and was released on February 19, 2020. It received positive reviews from players.

"Blackwake is a multiplayer naval FPS that focuses on teamwork and cooperation, with stunning game mechanics, fantastic music, and phenomenal graphics. Players can command ships, fire cannons, and engage in FPS combat in various game modes, while maintaining and customizing their ships and characters. However, the game can be very grinding, full of bugs, and highly emotional, but it also contains plenty of humor and is very atmospheric."

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83%

Audience ScoreBased on 21,527 reviews

gameplay704 positive mentions

stability560 negative mentions

gameplay
1,664 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
51%
7%
The gameplay in Blackwake is characterized by its emphasis on teamwork and coordination, requiring players to work together to manage ship operations and engage in naval combat. While many players find the mechanics fun and engaging, there are frequent mentions of bugs, clunky controls, and a lack of variety that can lead to repetitive experiences. Overall, the game offers a unique and chaotic multiplayer experience, but its enjoyment heavily relies on having a competent crew and a stable player base.
- “Gameplay-wise it was great though, as long as you got a crew that worked well as a team.”
- “It is genuinely such a fun experience, the voice chat is good, the gameplay is good, the shouting at each other for not shooting is good, it's so fun when you operate a whole ship together with voice chat.”
- “The gameplay is unique, with some small quirks and poor balance or implementation.”
- “The gameplay is quite janky.”
- “The mechanics are too clunky to enjoy...”
- “The gameplay leaves much to be desired.”
graphics
1,008 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
42%
11%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the visuals as beautiful and immersive, particularly in terms of weather effects and overall aesthetic appeal. However, many others criticize the graphics for being outdated, poorly optimized, and buggy, often likening them to those of older games. Overall, while the game has potential with its artistic style, significant improvements in optimization and graphical fidelity are needed to enhance the player experience.
- “With its stunning graphics and atmospheric sound design, Blackwake is a game that's as beautiful as it is thrilling.”
- “The graphics and quality are quite outstanding that fits perfectly to the game, the music, sounds and effects are also very fitting to the game and I haven't found a single bug/glitch so far!”
- “The graphics are amazing, the gameplay is amazing, PvP is beautiful.”
- “Graphics - 90's VR documentary level.”
- “The graphic quality (textures, perspective, lighting) is a throwback to the 2000's; the controls are clunky and the whole game looks cheap and unpolished.”
- “The graphics are very bad, and when it rains you can hardly see anything.”
humor
826 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in this game is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting its chaotic and hilarious moments, particularly during naval battles and interactions with crew members. The exaggerated voice acting, funny ragdoll physics, and absurd scenarios contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere that is best enjoyed with friends. While some players note that the humor can become repetitive or annoying, the overall consensus is that the game provides a consistently entertaining and funny experience.
- “Lol funny pirates board the ship with booze and axes while you have been reloading your musket for half an hour.”
- “The intense battles mixed with the general goofiness of the game makes for some hilarious moments, especially with friends.”
- “The ragdolls are hilarious and the voice acting is funny as well.”
- “Oh, and also in-game voices that are probably supposed to be funny quickly become annoying as hell.”
- “Toxic pirates are often not funny, but the game could've been better if the devs weren't lazy and worked on an old Unity engine and abandoned the game after full release.”
stability
597 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
1%
94%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting significant bugs, glitches, and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. Many describe it as feeling unfinished or in an alpha state, with frequent crashes and unresponsive gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. Despite these issues, some players find enjoyment in the chaotic nature of the game, suggesting that it can still be fun when it works, especially in a group setting.
- “The game has been nearly bug free in my experience.”
- “This is what every early access game should be like, feels completely bug free and enjoyable to play.”
- “The game still has much work to be done, but compared to almost every other early access game, this is by far one of the most developed bug free releases I've purchased.”
- “Could have been a great contender for Sea of Thieves but it's totally buggy and can't even pass as an alpha state.”
- “The game is pretty buggy, and doesn't run that well so while it's fine with friends, and you can join some fun lobbies, the game has no future.”
- “I will give you the most honest review you will find, the game in its current state is very jigsawed together game with horrible performance regardless of hardware and overall buggy chaos.”
optimization
385 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
46%
28%
The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates, stuttering, and crashes, regardless of hardware specifications. While some players have noted improvements and satisfactory performance on higher-end systems, the general consensus is that the game is poorly optimized and requires significant work to enhance its stability and playability. Overall, the game's technical performance detracts from the otherwise enjoyable multiplayer experience.
- “The devs are updating the game frequently and don't just hotfix stuff; they added a lot of content and optimized the game significantly since the release.”
- “Beautiful graphics with very decent optimization, and the game is so much fun and different; you have to cooperate with your crew, etc... looking forward to the game release 10/10.”
- “I was positively surprised with the optimization.”
- “Game very very badly optimized, hard to run on a GTX 1050.”
- “It's poorly optimized and it is pretty clear the devs cut and run after they put out their 'full release.' There could be so much more content.”
- “I will give you the most honest review you will find, the game in its current state is very jigsawed together with horrible performance regardless of hardware and overall buggy chaos.”
music
262 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
51%
2%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its epic pirate-themed soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. The soundtrack is often compared to the iconic music from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, contributing to a thrilling and immersive environment during naval battles. Additionally, players enjoy the ability to play their own music through voice chat, further enriching the game's social and chaotic nature.
- “The soundtrack is awesome!”
- “The music is fitting and a thrill to listen to during the heat of sea warfare.”
- “The game looks fantastic, and also got a well-made soundtrack which really does have that pirate ring to it.”
- “Played one match, 1000 ping, chaos, mic spam, and Titanic music.”
- “Make sure to turn the music off as it is atrocious.”
- “Not to mention every server is full of people who blast pirate or Russian music on their mics....”
story
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
72%
15%
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth, with many users noting that it has no significant narrative or character development, making it feel more like a multiplayer PvP experience than a story-driven adventure. While some players appreciate the free-roaming gameplay and the occasional quests, referred to as "tall tales," they often feel these missions do not contribute to a cohesive storyline. Overall, the consensus is that while the game can be fun and engaging, it misses opportunities for richer storytelling and character engagement.
- “Maybe it means you and your crew plundering the vessels of would-be explorers on the open sea as you wreak havoc across the ocean, searching for lost ships and buried treasure on a quest to become a legendary pirate to rival Jack Sparrow, or just singing shanties with a pet monkey.”
- “Rather than playing out like the brief, objective-focused voyages, which are standard-issue RPG quests usually about killing a certain named enemy or collecting a specific item, tall tales are structured more like one-off mystery adventures that connect into an overarching story.”
- “The pumping quest ahead of me was ominous and grim, our ship was sinking rapidly, the red tide flowing in.”
- “This game really gets to the 'meat' of online PvP - there is no fluff or storyline, no niceties or facades.”
- “Because it's a multiplayer game, the devs didn't try to tangle themselves in some sort of half-assed storyline that no one cares about.”
- “There is no story, as the game is entirely based on PvP combat.”
atmosphere
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
32%
4%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, immersive sound design, and engaging environmental effects, creating a captivating experience that enhances gameplay. Players appreciate the blend of realism and fun, with dynamic weather and ambient sounds contributing to a rich, atmospheric setting. Despite being an indie title, it delivers a unique and enjoyable atmosphere that encourages teamwork and community interaction, making it a standout in the pirate-combat genre.
- “With its stunning graphics and atmospheric sound design, Blackwake is a game that's as beautiful as it is thrilling.”
- “The atmosphere is amazing; some maps are snowy, stormy, or sunny, and the ambient sounds can really trigger some ASMR if you are a nature lover like myself.”
- “Blackwake brings the late 1700's ocean battlegrounds to life with a beautiful atmosphere, guns that take forever to load, and the act of teamwork in order to win your battles.”
- “The atmosphere is cancerous, honestly.”
- “The poor welcome new crew members receive in this atmosphere and the degradation of the team-play elements is, I think, why there are generally only one or two highly populated servers online now... and as things are, I doubt it will be coming back.”
- “The game meanwhile sports an almost comical atmosphere, achieving a surprisingly decent mix of realism and fun.”
grinding
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
29%
64%
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be excessively tedious, often requiring significant time investment—up to 50 hours for meaningful unlocks—without the satisfaction of substantial rewards. Players find the repetitive tasks, such as reloading cannons and farming achievements, to detract from the overall enjoyment, leading to a sense of monotony. While some appreciate the immersive elements, many agree that the grinding aspect can become overwhelming and detracts from the fun.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Well paced; not too tedious or tiring to play.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Also, the clothes-unlocking/leveling up system is very harsh; it will take you at least 50 hours of grinding to get any good unlocks.”
- “Really fun game and would be one of the best half serious half jokey multiplayer games with a load of friends, but gets really quite repetitive and tedious after around an hour of play.”
- “Matches of 10-15 minutes won't make you feel accomplished; only hours of grinding will make you feel like a true pirate.”
replayability
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
39%
27%
The game's replayability is a contentious topic among players, with many citing a lack of long-term engagement due to limited content and repetitive gameplay. While some users find it fun and addictive with decent replay value, others argue that it becomes boring quickly and lacks substantial incentives for repeated play. Overall, the consensus leans towards a low to moderate replayability, heavily dependent on future content updates and player experiences.
- “This game is infinitely replayable and fun.”
- “With a high replayability, and mini competitions running between you and your online friends, you are bound to get addicted to this game.”
- “Very fun and has a lot of replayability.”
- “Truly too bad that it's dead, but the lack of replayability made that inevitable, and a shaky roadmap that was poorly implemented ensured its downfall.”
- “On the rare occasion that you get a good captain and a crew that knows what to do, then it can be fun for a while, but it's a game with not much replayability at all.”
- “It gets boring over time; in my opinion, the replay value is low since there is no leveling and unlocking things that would spice up the gameplay.”
monetization
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
48%
46%
The game's monetization model is praised for its absence of microtransactions, with developers committing to keeping the game free of paid DLC and pay-to-win mechanics. Many players suggest that introducing cosmetic microtransactions could enhance the player base without compromising the game's integrity. Overall, the consensus is that the game stands out in a market filled with cash grabs, offering a refreshing experience without the typical monetization pitfalls.
- “There will be no microtransactions, we are gamers too and hate it.”
- “They have also made a promise to never add microtransactions or paid DLC, which is a huge step in the right direction.”
- “The future looks promising, as the devs seem very active and stated that there won't be any pay-to-win microtransactions, which is really important for a game like this.”
- “This game has been an island oasis in a sea of terrible indie cash grabs.”
- “Great game, best when played with friends. I feel like it should be free to play, not that the devs are greedy because they aren't. However, I feel like it would boost the player base and cosmetic microtransactions would be an ethical way of making money.”
- “Most early access games are a blatant cash grab out to take your money with an unfinished game. Blackwake is a game that is easy to sink hundreds of enjoyable hours into while still looking towards the very bright future that you can go talk to the developers about yourself.”
emotional
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a mix of emotions regarding the game, highlighting its wholesome and fun pirate-themed experience, despite some community toxicity. While many appreciate the enthusiasm and creativity within the game, concerns about multiplayer racism and gameplay issues detract from the overall enjoyment. The developers are viewed positively, with players acknowledging their heartfelt efforts amidst the game's challenges.
- “Great game, it really made me feel like a syphilitic pirate on the high seas.”
- “The community as of now is very enthusiastic in the pirate fun, so come and enjoy while the pirate seas are still fresh and wholesome.”
- “Nothing about how it's just two guys with a dream and not Ubisoft or Dice or equivalent corporation or complaints about lack of resources, just a promise and a heartfelt apology.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
Character development in the game is noted as a weak point, with players expressing a desire for more depth and progression. While the character design and humorous dialogue are appreciated, the overall execution is seen as lacking, particularly in comparison to the game's graphics. Improvements in character animations and development could enhance the overall experience.
- “The game also has a more realistic approach in its ship and character design while still having humorous dialogue and other elements, which I appreciate.”
- “Fun character design and voiceover.”
- “This game is only lacking in potential character development and/or progression and possibly different game modes.”
- “[*](nitpick) the character design and animations are mediocre at best, and could use some substantial improvement to bring it up to the same caliber as the rest of the graphics.”