Blackwell Epiphany

About

Blackwell Epiphany is a single player arcade puzzle game with fantasy, drama, mystery and historical themes. It was developed by Wadjet Eye Games and was released on April 24, 2014. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

In "Blackwell Epiphany," Rosangela Blackwell, a medium, and her spirit guide Joey Mallone investigate a series of ghost possessions in New York City. As they dig deeper, they uncover a sinister plot involving a powerful ghost and its summoner. The duo must race against time to save the city and stop the possessor before it's too late.

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Single-Player

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98%

Audience ScoreBased on 747 reviews

story253 positive mentions

grinding8 negative mentions

The game serves as a perfect conclusion to the Blackwell series, tying up loose ends and providing emotional depth.
The writing, voice acting, and character development are top-notch, making players feel deeply connected to Rosa and Joey.
The puzzles are logical and engaging, allowing for a satisfying gameplay experience without excessive frustration.

Some plot points feel rushed or unresolved, particularly regarding the overarching mystery introduced in previous games.
The ending may leave some players feeling disappointed or unsatisfied due to its abruptness and the introduction of new, unexplained elements.
There are occasional technical issues, such as crashes or glitches, particularly when using the Steam overlay.

story
615 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
56%
3%
The "Blackwell" series is celebrated for its compelling storytelling, with players praising the emotional depth and character development throughout the five games. The narrative intricately weaves together individual ghost stories with overarching themes of life, death, and connection, culminating in a bittersweet yet satisfying conclusion in "Epiphany." While some plot points may feel rushed or unresolved, the series is highly recommended for its rich storytelling and engaging characters, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “I cried so hard after finishing all 5 games in one week; the story was so well-written and so touching.”
- “The game itself is a masterwork of storytelling.”
- “The story is much more present in this title and is, to me, one of the best written stories in any game.”
- “However, the story was a little messy and the ending sucked to the point of me just pretending it never happened.”
- “Unfortunately, the story itself, both on its own and as the conclusion of the series, is really disappointing.”
- “The story is also a linear one, and the confusing conclusion is a big letdown to say the least.”
emotional
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the "Blackwell" series is profoundly impactful, with many players expressing that the narrative and character development led to intense feelings, including tears during the finale. The series masterfully balances engaging gameplay with deep emotional storytelling, culminating in a bittersweet and heart-wrenching conclusion that resonates long after the game ends. Players have praised the well-crafted characters and their relationships, particularly the bond between Rosa and Joey, which enhances the overall emotional experience throughout the series.
- “The 'Blackwell' series is more than just a collection of point-and-click adventures; it's an emotional odyssey that deepened with each installment.”
- “Having followed Rosa and Joey since the very beginning, this last episode delivers a stunning and emotionally resonant finale that ties the series together beautifully.”
- “The culmination of one of my favorite game series ever, 'Blackwell Epiphany' is the beautiful, satisfying yet heart-breaking conclusion to the story of Rosa Blackwell and Joey Mallone.”
gameplay
111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
74%
4%
The gameplay of the game is generally well-received, praised for its balance of emotional depth and investigative mechanics, though some players found certain mechanics, like the online search and clue combining, tedious. While it maintains familiar point-and-click elements from previous titles in the series, it also introduces some new features that enhance the experience, such as improved dialogue interactions and a more intuitive puzzle-solving approach. Overall, the gameplay is solid but lacks significant innovation, making it feel familiar to fans of the series.
- “It's a great balance between gameplay demands and emotional depth.”
- “The gameplay is also great; I felt like I was actually doing the investigation!”
- “The dual characters mechanic returns once again, and players must make use of both Rosa's and Joey's different abilities to solve puzzles and overcome dialogue-based obstacles throughout the game.”
- “I mostly didn't like the online search mechanic or the clue combining mechanic.”
- “The gameplay mechanics, however, are a little lackluster with inconsistencies and illogical requirements all over the shop.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it is your average point-and-click, nothing more, nothing less.”
graphics
110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
61%
3%
The graphics in the game are characterized by a well-executed pixel art style that resonates with fans of retro aesthetics, showcasing significant improvements in quality and detail compared to previous installments. While some players may find the pixelated visuals dated, many appreciate how they complement the game's narrative and atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are praised for their charm and effectiveness in conveying the game's themes, despite not reaching the polish of modern adventure titles.
- “The graphics, especially the character sprites, are greatly improved.”
- “The artwork in Epiphany is fantastic throughout; it's building on a similar aesthetic to Blackwell Deception, but everything is more detailed and beautifully rendered in pixel art.”
- “You can really tell how far the series has grown and developed since The Blackwell Legacy, as Epiphany presents darker themes, more complex (yet still logical) puzzles, and more advanced graphics.”
- “However, Blackwell Epiphany does feel like a drop in graphics quality from Deception (tried various configurations including the same one as Deception).”
- “The graphics may also be a bit of a put-off to more modern gamers since it is intentionally created in a low resolution, non-widescreen format to mimic the old CRT monitors some of us older gamers were stuck with nearly two decades ago.”
- “Graphically speaking, there's been no evolution whatsoever.”
music
96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
38%
3%
The music in this game has received widespread acclaim for its outstanding quality, effectively enhancing the noir atmosphere and emotional depth of the story. Many reviewers praised the smooth jazz soundtrack, noting its ability to set a relaxed mood and complement the game's visuals and voice acting. While some felt the music was less prominent than in previous entries, it still maintained a high standard, contributing significantly to the overall experience.
- “The music is outstanding and sets the chilled out noir ambience just right.”
- “A smooth jazz soundtrack complements the noir aesthetic and the snow-encrusted city wonderfully.”
- “The music complements the setting beautifully, enhancing the emotional weight of the story.”
- “The music wasn't as good as some of the previous games in my opinion, but it was alright.”
- “Some scenes could use better default dialogue/music balancing.”
- “Music is fitting, but very, very forgettable (except in one spot where it's dominating and hinders following the plot).”
humor
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, particularly the witty banter between the characters Rosa and Joey, which adds a delightful layer to the narrative. Players appreciate the sharp script and the balance of funny and emotional moments, with many noting that the humor enhances the overall experience without relying on dark or crude jokes. The inclusion of humorous developer commentary and engaging character dynamics further enriches the game's comedic appeal.
- “The script is sharp and funny and just overall great.”
- “The conversations between Joey and Rosa are always interesting and often funny.”
- “The ghosts that needed saving were all easy to empathize with, and Rosangela and Joey were hilarious and touching by turns, as usual.”
atmosphere
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
22%
13%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dense, haunting quality, enhanced by pixel art and a compelling soundtrack that immerses players in a moody winter setting. Reviewers highlight the effective combination of visual design, voice acting, and emotional depth, creating a rich backdrop that elevates the storytelling and gameplay experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and resonance.
- “The pixel art and atmospheric score create a perfect backdrop for the game’s increasingly haunting tone.”
- “The atmosphere is on point; you're right there on the snow-covered city streets with them.”
- “All the writing, visual design, atmosphere, and emotion of the first four games combined can't hold a candle to Epiphany.”
- “Music - average; it creates a decent atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere of a moody New York City in winter is perfect, along with the soundtrack.”
character development
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
Character development in the game is widely praised, particularly the evolving relationship between Rosa and Joey, which enhances emotional engagement and storytelling. While some reviewers note that there is still room for growth in character arcs, the overall thematic continuity and depth of character development throughout the series are highlighted as standout features. The writing and voice acting further elevate the experience, making it particularly rewarding for long-time fans.
- “You can see the clear character development as she ages through the games.”
- “The emotional connection I developed with them speaks to the game's excellent storytelling and character development.”
- “The story achieves by focusing mainly on character development; Rosangela and Joey's dynamic is exceptional and shall remain in my mind a grand duo for the ages.”
- “While you will learn more about Joey and Rosa, there is still much to be desired in regards to character development; in the game's defense, you will still feel satisfied at the end and be surprised on many occasions.”
- “Even though the game does have its repetition and tedium, I still looked forward to dealing with the next spirit after finishing each and every one, and that can be owed to the quality of the game’s story and character design.”
- “While the game is accessible to newcomers, those who have followed Rosa and Joey's journey from the beginning will find the most satisfaction, as it ties up long-running story arcs and character developments.”
optimization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally solid, with smooth performance and no significant bugs reported, although one player did experience a crash towards the end. The graphics quality is rated moderately, and the voice acting and audio design are highlighted as standout features, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- “The audio also deserves a special mention here too; the composer and sound designer were firing on all cylinders, and by this point, all the voice actors were completely comfortable with their characters and deliver extremely good performances.”
- “Both Abe Goldfarb and Rebecca Whittaker deserve to win awards for their multiple performances.”
- “Performance: no issues with performance or bugs that I could find.”
- “Overall impressions & performance: The optimization leaves much to be desired, as the game struggles to maintain a consistent frame rate.”
- “Graphics (quality/performance) – [6/10]: The optimization feels rushed, leading to noticeable drops in quality during intense scenes.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that while the clue hunting aspect of the game is enjoyable, the grinding mechanics—such as traveling between locations and extracting information from characters—can become tedious and detract from the overall experience. Despite these frustrations, many players find the narrative payoff rewarding enough to justify the grind, especially across the series' installments. Overall, the balance between engaging gameplay and repetitive tasks is a common theme in user feedback.
- “Overall not much critique, but for the two mechanics which, I would argue, made the game more tedious.”
- “When going from one place to the next to try an idea is half of the mechanics of the game, it turns tedious very fast, despite the gorgeous screenshots.”
- “While epiphany does feature a few puzzles, a staple of the point-and-click genre, the majority of 'puzzles' involve uncovering facts by grinding characters for information, and conducting online research through Rosa's smartphone.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Players note that the game offers significant replayability due to a variety of achievements that encourage multiple playthroughs, similar to previous titles in the series.
- “There are still a bunch of achievements that add replayability to the game, as with the previous titles.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report ongoing stability issues, with frequent freezes and crashes occurring when attempting to open the overlay.
- “The game still freezes and crashes when opening the overlay.”
- “I frequently experience crashes that disrupt my gameplay.”
- “Stability issues make it hard to enjoy the game without interruptions.”

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82%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

Blackwell Epiphany review
The high-point of a consistently strong series, and a great showcase of adventure game design that fits the story's theme.
Pcgamer.com
82%

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8h Median play time

8h Average play time

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Frequently Asked Questions

Blackwell Epiphany is a arcade puzzle game with fantasy, drama, mystery and historical themes.

Blackwell Epiphany is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 8 hours playing Blackwell Epiphany.

Blackwell Epiphany was released on April 24, 2014.

Blackwell Epiphany was developed by Wadjet Eye Games.

Blackwell Epiphany has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its character development.

Blackwell Epiphany is a single player game.

Similar games include Blackwell Deception, The Blackwell Legacy, Blackwell Unbound, Blackwell Convergence, Old Skies and others.

Blackwell Epiphany

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