Blackwell Deception

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 429 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
Blackwell Deception Game Cover
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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.

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  • PC
  • Phone
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  • Windows
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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 429 reviews
story140 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • Engaging story that builds on previous games and introduces new elements, keeping players invested.
  • Improved graphics and voice acting, enhancing the overall experience compared to earlier installments.
  • Clever puzzles that require logical thinking and collaboration between characters, making gameplay enjoyable.
  • Some puzzles can be obscure or unintuitive, leading to frustration and reliance on guides.
  • Character designs and animations may feel inconsistent or less polished compared to previous games.
  • The game can feel linear at times, with certain actions needing to be performed in a specific order to progress.
  • story350 mentions

    The story in "Blackwell Deception" is a compelling continuation of the series, weaving together character development and overarching plot threads that deepen the lore established in previous games. Players appreciate the emotional depth and complexity of the narrative, which introduces new elements while providing insights into the backstory of key characters like Joey. While some critiques mention pacing issues and a few narrative flaws, the overall consensus is that the game offers an engaging and well-crafted story that enhances the player's experience.

    • “The overarching storyline is compelling, drawing threads from the first three games while introducing new elements that deepen the lore.”
    • “The game does a very good job putting together all the pieces of the story to create a very engaging, emotional and exciting game.”
    • “The story is strong from end to end, picking up on the momentum from the last game and carrying that through this game to its own resolution.”
    • “The story is extremely boring; I literally kept falling asleep while playing.”
    • “The biggest event that has a direct impact on the larger story only happens in the game's final moments and is handled almost as a deus ex machina.”
    • “While the first three are enjoyable enough, deception went to the next level with the storyline, while still keeping the believable environment and interactions.”
  • graphics103 mentions

    The graphics in the latest installment of the Blackwell series have received mixed reviews, with some praising the improved pixel art and character portraits, while others criticize the user interface and overall visual quality as a step back from previous entries. Many players appreciate the nostalgic retro aesthetic, but note that certain animations and graphical glitches detract from immersion. Overall, while the graphics may not meet modern standards, they are often overshadowed by the strong storytelling and engaging gameplay.

    • “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 graphics have all been updated and improved since the last game, and still the sound and music are top notch as ever.”
    • “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.”
  • music75 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its quality and composition, particularly highlighting the jazzy and noir elements that enhance the atmosphere. Some players noted a decline in the soundtrack compared to previous installments, while others appreciated the diverse genres and emotional resonance of the music. Overall, the voice acting and sound quality have improved, contributing to a generally positive reception of the audio experience, despite some criticisms regarding volume control and repetitive tracks.

    • “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.”
    • “The soundtrack is a disappointment and there is one glaring story flaw, but deception is definitely the highlight of the series to this point.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay75 mentions

    The gameplay in this installment of the series has been refined and expanded, particularly with Joey's enhanced role in solving puzzles, which adds depth to the experience. While some mechanics, like the notepad for combining clues, have received mixed feedback for being less intuitive, the overall gameplay loop remains familiar yet engaging, with improvements in user interface and puzzle design. Players appreciate the balance of challenge and accessibility, alongside the intriguing story and character dynamics, making it a solid entry for fans of point-and-click adventures.

    • “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.”
    • “This renders the core mechanic of this point-and-click adventure a tedious chore.”
    • “Secondly, the gameplay isn't intuitive.”
  • humor15 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of snarky and warm dialogue, with moments of charm and playfulness, particularly in character interactions and funny scenarios like a dance routine. While some players found the humor to be a bit bitter or impatient, many appreciated the balance of comedic elements with serious themes, resulting in a rich narrative experience. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with engaging storytelling and character development, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate a good laugh alongside a compelling plot.

    • “It's got some good snarky humor, that very familiar Wadjet Eye/Dave Gilbert art style and flow to it.”
    • “The dialogue, as ever, is warm, funny, and never overly chatty.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional13 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 gut-wrenching moments that resonate personally, making it difficult to continue at times. Overall, the series is recognized for its excellent emotional writing and the ability to create a compelling, engaging narrative that leaves a lasting impression.

    • “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.”
  • atmosphere12 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 rich, noir-inspired ambiance that captivates players. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making the game a compelling entry in the series.

    • “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.”
    • “The music is really good also; it really sets the atmosphere well.”
    • “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).”
  • character development7 mentions

    Overall, character development in the game is praised for its depth and complexity, particularly in how it intertwines with the narrative progression. While some characters like Joey and Rosa are well-received, there are still areas where players feel development could be improved. The series maintains an old-school adventure vibe, but recent changes in art style have led to mixed feelings about character design.

    • “Speaking of narrative, deception does a fantastic job of weaving together character development and story progression.”
    • “It was more interesting and thought out than the others; it had more character development, and it felt like a more complete story than a rough diary entry, like the previous games.”
    • “It provided much greater depth and complexity with excellent story and character development.”
    • “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, plus character development throughout the series.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game is generally positive, 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, indicating a trend towards better optimization in the series.

    • “I noticed no performance issues playing on my computer.”
    • “Overall, I felt it was much more professional across all the characters.”
    • “Gavin's performance was very good, and I believe the same voice actor was in Technobabylon, which was also one of the best performances of any Wadjet Eye game.”
    • “Overall impressions & performance: The optimization leaves much to be desired.”
    • “Graphics (quality/art style/animations/ui/performance) – 4/10: The game struggles with optimization, impacting the overall experience.”
    • “Only one character (Penelope, the old lady) is a poor performance in my book, highlighting the inconsistency in optimization.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Reviews indicate that while some players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and a chore, others appreciate the shift in focus towards solving cases rather than uncovering lore, making achievements feel more rewarding. Overall, the grinding mechanic is seen as a mixed bag, with some enjoying the challenge and others finding it burdensome.

    • “This renders the core mechanic of this game a tedious chore.”
    • “The achievements are a lot less tedious to get.”
    • “The focus is back on solving cases instead of revealing tedious lore, which is great.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    Players note that the game offers decent replayability, primarily through achievements and the opportunity to explore different story aspects. The inclusion of a commentary mode further enhances the incentive to replay, as players can uncover missed content from their initial playthrough.

    • “The game has some replay value; you will probably miss 2 achievements during the first playthrough, and then you still have the commentary mode to finish.”
    • “And there are some achievements, so there's some replay value here to get them and perhaps see more of or a different aspect of the story.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game suffers from several stability issues, including graphical glitches, sound balancing problems, and a restrictive full-screen resolution that complicates alt-tabbing. Additionally, early gameplay is marred by bugs that can prevent dialog options from appearing, necessitating reloads of earlier saves.

    • “There were quite a few graphical glitches and sound balancing issues; a bit more care on these would tidy things up a lot.”
    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
5-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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