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Blackwell Deception

96%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
optimization, grinding
96% User Score Based on 858 reviews

Platforms

iPhoneiPhoneMac OSMac OSPCPCPhonePhoneSteam DeckSteam DeckWindowsWindowsLinuxLinuxMobile PlatformMobile PlatformiPadiPad

About

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.

Blackwell Deception screenshot
Blackwell Deception screenshot
Blackwell Deception screenshot
Blackwell Deception screenshot
Blackwell Deception screenshot
Blackwell Deception screenshot
Blackwell Deception screenshot
Blackwell Deception screenshot

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 858 reviews
story280 positive mentions
optimization6 negative mentions

  • The story is engaging and well-written, with a compelling narrative that ties together elements from previous games.
  • The game features improved graphics and voice acting, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The puzzles are clever and logical, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly difficult.
  • Some character sprites and animations feel less polished compared to previous entries, leading to a visual downgrade.
  • Certain puzzles can be obscure or require specific actions that may not be intuitive, causing frustration.
  • The hint system can be inconsistent, sometimes providing vague guidance that doesn't help players progress.
  • story
    700 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Blackwell Deception," the fourth installment of the Blackwell series, is praised for its depth and complexity, effectively weaving character development with overarching narrative threads that connect to previous games. Players appreciate the engaging plot, which introduces new elements while expanding on existing lore, particularly regarding the protagonists, Rosa and Joey. Despite some criticisms regarding pacing and certain plot points feeling disconnected, the game is generally regarded as a strong continuation of the series, leaving players eager for the next chapter.

    • “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 blackwell series as a whole is extremely well done, with an ongoing story line that is well thought out and genuinely engaging, and characters that are fleshed out and multi-dimensional.”
    • “The cases you investigate are interesting by themselves, though the main storyline they are tied to is a bit lackluster.”
    • “Thirdly, the story, which wasn't engaging to begin with, ends with a very meh explanation to the motives and identities of the players involved.”
    • “The story is extremely boring, literally kept falling asleep while playing.”
  • graphics
    206 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 the graphics can feel rudimentary and lack depth, particularly in character animations and environmental design. Overall, while the visuals may not meet modern standards, they are often overshadowed by the strong narrative 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.”
    • “Amazing graphics, awesome music, the sudden realization that you're in over your head and yet... there's nothing you can do about it... it's all here in this, the fourth installment of the Blackwell series.”
    • “First off, the graphics are incredibly rudimentary.”
    • “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
    150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its quality and composition, particularly the jazzy and noir elements that enhance the atmosphere. Some players highlighted the standout soundtrack by Thomas Regin, while others expressed disappointment, feeling it was a downgrade from previous installments. Overall, the music is generally regarded as a strong point, though some noted issues with volume control and repetitiveness in certain scenes.

    • “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 uh 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
    150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 returned, they can still feel cumbersome and less intuitive at times. Overall, the game maintains a solid point-and-click adventure feel, with a mix of familiar and new elements that cater to both fans of the series and newcomers.

    • “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.”
    • “Playing the series from start to end, I really enjoyed the evolving development of the game's core mechanics as they are tweaked and finessed along the way, and while I stumbled a little at times working out which tools are available to make progress in the game, they eventually start feeling very intuitive.”
    • “The fact that Joey now has a more active part in gathering information and solving puzzles, being able to pass through doors, read notes without people noticing, and move small objects by blowing on them, is a welcome change and adds some more depth to the gameplay.”
    • “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 a tedious chore.”
    • “Secondly, the gameplay isn't intuitive.”
  • humor
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's humor is characterized by a mix of snarky and warm dialogue, with moments of charm and playfulness, particularly in the interactions between characters like Rosa and her ghostly sidekick, Joey. While some players found the snarky remarks to be more impatient than funny, others appreciated the cute and humorous elements, such as a character's dance routine and the inclusion of funny bloopers. Overall, the humor complements the game's intriguing story and engaging puzzles, making it a delightful experience for those who enjoy a blend of comedy and narrative depth.

    • “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.”
    • “Good story, good puzzles, good humor, the full she-bang.”
  • emotional
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game excels in delivering a profound emotional experience, with intricate melodies and heartfelt character interactions that resonate deeply with players. Many reviewers noted the impactful storytelling, which includes gut-wrenching moments and touching scenes that evoke strong feelings, often leading to a personal connection with the characters. The combination of engaging writing, emotional depth, and a fitting musical score enhances the overall emotional journey, making it a standout in the series.

    • “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 some of the characters and their motivations were hitting too close to home that I had to turn the game off.”
    • “This is just a great series with excellent, emotional writing.”
  • atmosphere
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the effective blend of music, voice acting, and visual style that enhances the narrative experience. The thick, fog-laden ambiance creates a sense of anticipation, while the innovative changes in art and sound design have revitalized the series, making it a compelling entry that captivates players. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.

    • “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).”
  • character development
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and complexity, particularly in how it intertwines with the narrative, making for a more complete story experience. While some players appreciate the growth of characters like Joey and Rosa, others feel there is still room for improvement. The shift in pixel art style has also been noted as a potential setback in character design, but overall, the engaging character arcs contribute positively to the gameplay experience.

    • “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, plus character development, throughout the series.”
  • optimization
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally solid, with no significant performance issues reported by players, except for one character, Penelope, whose performance was criticized. The developers appear to be improving in this area over time, as the overall quality of character performances has been noted to be more professional in this installment.

    • “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.”
    • “Only one character (Penelope, the old lady) is a poor performance in my book.”
    • “Every Blackwell game has one or two bad performances, but they seem to be getting better at this with time, and this installment is no exception.”
    • “Graphics (quality/art style/animations/ui/performance) – 4/10”
  • grinding
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is often seen as a tedious chore, detracting from the overall experience. However, players appreciate that the focus has shifted towards solving cases rather than engaging in repetitive tasks, making achievements feel less 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.”
  • replayability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers notable replayability through achievements that encourage players to explore different aspects of the story and complete missed objectives from their initial playthrough. Additionally, the inclusion of a commentary mode provides further incentive for players to revisit the game.

    • “There are some achievements, so there's replay value here to get them and perhaps see more of or a different aspect of the story.”
    • “The game has replay value; you will probably miss 2 achievements during the first playthrough, and then you still have the commentary mode to finish.”
    • “The replayability is enhanced by the achievements and the opportunity to explore different story aspects.”
    • “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.”
  • stability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, including graphical glitches, sound balancing problems, and a restrictive full-screen resolution that complicates alt-tabbing. Players have reported needing to reload saves due to missing dialog options, particularly in the early stages of gameplay, indicating a lack of polish and attention to detail.

    • “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.”

Buy Blackwell Deception

5h Median play time
5h Average play time
5-5h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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This game contains adult content