Blackwell Deception

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In "Blackwell Deception", join Rosa, a genuine psychic, and her spirit guide Joey as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths linked to deceitful street psychics. Uncover the truth behind the illicit world of psychic scams in various locales, from downtown nightclubs to luxury yachts, while addressing some of Joey's own buried secrets. This thrilling supernatural adventure game promises to offer a captivating and mysterious experience.

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 336 reviews

story114 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

The game features a compelling story that builds on the previous entries, providing depth to the characters and their relationships.
Improvements in gameplay mechanics, such as the introduction of a smartphone for note-taking and internet searches, enhance the overall experience.
The puzzles are well-designed and logical, offering a satisfying challenge without being overly frustrating.

Some puzzles can feel overly complex or require specific actions that may not be intuitive, leading to potential frustration.
The graphics and character designs have received mixed reviews, with some players feeling that they are a step back from previous games.
There are instances of dialogue and character interactions that can feel repetitive or lack depth, detracting from the overall narrative experience.

story
286 mentions
40 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story in "Blackwell Deception" is widely praised for its depth, character development, and engaging narrative that builds on previous installments in the series. Players appreciate the intricate plot that intertwines personal backstories, particularly that of Joey, with compelling supernatural elements, while also setting the stage for future developments. Although some reviewers noted pacing issues and a less cohesive overall plot compared to earlier games, the writing and emotional resonance of the story continue to captivate fans of the series.
- “The overarching storyline is compelling, drawing threads from the first three games while introducing new elements that deepen the lore.”
- “The story is getting better and better.”
- “The story throughout was entertaining and you really felt for the main characters' struggles with what's happening in the game, and with each other.”
- “The cases you investigate are interesting by themselves, though the main storyline they are tied to is a bit lackluster.”
- “The story is extremely boring; I literally kept falling asleep while playing.”
- “While the story itself isn’t really groundbreaking, it is well done enough to be an exciting and interesting point-and-click adventure game.”
graphics
85 mentions
24 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The graphics in the latest installment of the Blackwell series have received mixed reviews, with some praising the retro pixel art style and improved animations, while others criticize the overall quality and depth compared to previous entries. Many players noted a decline in character design and user interface aesthetics, feeling that the visuals did not keep pace with the game's narrative and gameplay advancements. Despite these criticisms, the graphics are generally considered charming within the context of the genre, with some appreciating the nostalgic appeal.
- “The visuals, a mesmerizing dance of colors and shadows, beckoned players to explore the depths of a narrative both haunting and ethereal.”
- “This installment was amazing, with a great storyline, fascinating characters, and amazing pixel graphics.”
- “The artwork is really good, as well as the soundtracks.”
- “The graphics didn't seem improved and the gameplay became more convoluted, even more akin to old-school point-and-click adventures.”
- “Right off the bat: the main menu - the artwork is atrocious, the UI execution suffers too; the whole thing looks like an early 2000s Russian-made flash game - what has happened?”
- “The characters look abysmal, especially Joey - just compare the artwork with the previous chapters and you will instantly know what I am on about.”
music
64 mentions
45 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its diverse and well-composed soundtracks, particularly highlighting the jazzy and noir elements that enhance the overall atmosphere. Composed by Thomas Regin, the soundtrack is noted for its emotional resonance and quality, although some players found certain tracks overpowering or repetitive. Overall, the music is considered a strong point of the game, contributing significantly to the immersive experience alongside excellent voice acting and engaging storytelling.
- “One of the standout features of the game is its stunning soundtrack, composed by the talented Thomas Regin.”
- “The music in this game is just brilliant and so beautifully composed.”
- “The jazzy sax soundtrack always sets the tone for the noir detective vibe, and it is clear from the commentary how much care, purpose, and deliberation went into the retro art style.”
- “Ugly: the puzzles, art, and music are a bit lacklustre.”
- “Convergence had this awesome credits theme (and not much else), but this game has no notable music to speak of, at all.”
- “Music should be interspersed with ambient sound; it shouldn't be music for every single scene all the way.”
gameplay
60 mentions
32 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this installment of the series has been described as a mix of familiar mechanics with some notable improvements, such as Joey's expanded role in solving puzzles and the introduction of a smartphone for accessing clues. While some players appreciated the refined and intuitive gameplay, others found it less polished and more convoluted than previous entries, with a few mechanics feeling outdated. Overall, the game maintains a solid balance of challenge and accessibility, with engaging story elements and character interactions enhancing the experience.
- “Gameplay-wise, I liked that the developer expanded Joey's part in solving the riddles further so that he feels more useful and equal to Rosa overall.”
- “The gameplay features unusual mechanics, like combining abstract ideas from your notes, which help it sidestep many of the frustrations with illogical or obtuse puzzles that plagued 90s point-and-click games.”
- “Compelling story, intriguing characters, and polished gameplay make for the best entry in the Blackwell series.”
- “The graphics didn't seem improved and the gameplay became more convoluted, even more akin to old-school point-and-click adventures.”
- “The whole experience to me was less polished, with the previous seamless immersion of gameplay and story hitting snags and hurdles ever so often, especially where they interface: the clue/hint combination/location system is no longer quite as reliable, with entries missing or overstaying their welcome.”
- “Gameplay-wise it's more of the same, but Rosa now has a smartphone and can access the internet for clues on the go instead of having to go back and forth to her apartment between crime scenes after key conversations.”
emotional
12 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting the impactful classical music and intricate storytelling that evoke deep feelings. Many reviewers highlight the heartfelt character interactions and poignant moments that resonate personally, often leading to strong emotional reactions, including tears. Overall, the series is recognized for its excellent emotional writing and the ability to create a profound connection with players.
- “The classical pieces remain just as impactful, with their intricate melodies perfectly capturing the emotional depth of the story.”
- “The fourth game has a lot of emotional gut punches, and there were a couple of times when some of the characters and their motivations hit too close to home that I had to turn the game off.”
- “This is just a great series with excellent, emotional writing.”
atmosphere
11 mentions
55 % positive mentions
18 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, effectively enhancing the narrative and gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the successful blend of music, voice acting, and visual style, which contribute to a captivating tone that keeps players invested in the story. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making the game a solid entry in the series and leaving players eager for future installments.
- “Ghostly noir narrator: (exhales, creating an ethereal mist) the atmosphere, as thick as the fog rolling in from the river, was laden with anticipation.”
- “The story and gameplay were really intriguing; I loved the game's atmosphere and tone, and it was all-around a really solid entry in the series that left me very excited for the next game.”
- “I loved the whole Blackwell series; the story was interesting and kept me wanting to discover more, and the atmosphere and general theme of the series was very enjoyable.”
- “The change in visual style for the 4th installment in this series is refreshing; all my previous gripes with the art (rough animation, bad perspective/pixelation, flat atmosphere) have all been fixed-- and beautifully.”
- “My philosophy on this is that there are some instances in which a game may not necessarily have that much in the way of gameplay (take Amnesia for example), but the story/atmosphere/whatever it may be is reason enough to pick it up.”
- “The music really fit the atmosphere of the game (although the ending soundtrack of Blackwell Convergence was better).”
humor
11 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by snarky dialogue, charming interactions, and a blend of funny and touching moments, particularly in the relationship between the characters Rosa and Joey. Players appreciate the clever writing, amusing character quirks, and entertaining visual gags, such as a memorable dance routine, which contribute to an engaging and lighthearted experience amidst the game's deeper themes. Overall, the humor complements the narrative well, making it a highlight for those who enjoy a good story with comedic elements.
- “It's got some good snarky humor, that very familiar Wadjet Eye/Dave Gilbert art style and flow to it.”
- “Shout out to the funny dance routine that the developers applied to one of the characters; it was cute and brought laughter to my partner and myself.”
- “Good story, good puzzles, good humor, the full she-bang.”
character development
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its integration with the narrative and the depth it adds to characters like Joey and Rosa. However, some players feel that there is still room for improvement, particularly in the consistency of character designs due to changes in the art team. Overall, the character development is engaging and contributes positively to the story progression.
- “Speaking of narrative, Deception does a fantastic job of weaving together character development and story progression.”
- “It provided much greater depth and complexity with excellent story and character development.”
- “Character development and puzzles are engaging, the pixel art is gorgeous all around, and I've grown to like Joey and Rosa for their own quirks.”
- “While you will learn more about Joey and Rosa, there is still much to be desired in regards to character development.”
- “A new pixel artist was chosen for this game, so the slowly improving character designs have taken a few steps back.”
- “Each title has that old school adventure vibe and interconnecting plotline, but the character development throughout the series leaves much to be desired.”
optimization
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally solid, with most characters performing well, though one character, Penelope, stands out as a notable exception. Players have observed improvements in performance compared to previous titles in the series, indicating a trend towards better optimization.
- “I noticed no performance issues playing on my computer.”
- “Overall, I felt it was much more professional across all the characters.”
- “Only one character (Penelope, the old lady) has poor performance in my book.”
- “Every Blackwell game has one or two performance issues, but they seem to be getting better at this with time, and this installment is no exception.”
grinding
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate that grinding has been minimized, making achievements less tedious to obtain. The emphasis has shifted towards solving cases rather than uncovering extensive lore, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from stability issues, including being restricted to a small full-screen resolution and problematic alt-tabbing. Additionally, early gameplay is marred by bugs that can prevent dialog options from appearing, necessitating reloads of earlier saves.
- “The game is locked into a tiny resolution full screen mode, with buggy alt-tabbing.”
- “It was too buggy, especially early on; I had to reload an earlier save a couple of times because dialog options didn't appear when I did things out of order.”