Blackwell Epiphany

About

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 564 reviews

story197 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

The game provides a satisfying conclusion to the Blackwell series, tying up loose ends and answering lingering questions.
The writing, voice acting, and character development are top-notch, creating an emotional and engaging experience.
The graphics and music have improved significantly, enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersion of the game.

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 bittersweet nature.
A few puzzles can be obscure or require backtracking, which may disrupt the game's pacing.

story
470 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
55%
3%
The "story" aspect of the Blackwell series, particularly in its final installment "Epiphany," is widely praised for its emotional depth, character development, and intricate plot that ties together threads from all previous games. While many players found the narrative engaging and well-crafted, some expressed disappointment with certain plot twists and the resolution of key storylines, feeling that the ending did not fully satisfy the buildup of earlier installments. Overall, the series is recommended for its compelling storytelling, though it is advised to play the games in order to fully appreciate the overarching narrative.
- “The entire series tells its story well across the five games, with the later games adding onto and shedding light on the previous ones.”
- “You can feel the love and dedication the developers put into the story.”
- “The story is very compelling, but also woven through every episode.”
- “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.”
- “I didn't like some plot decisions, which is a pity, but at least that's a matter of personal taste.”
graphics
95 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
60%
3%
The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the retro pixel art style and noting significant improvements over previous installments, particularly in character sprites and overall visual polish. While some players appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic, others feel that the graphics may not meet modern standards, describing them as pixelated and simplistic. Overall, the visuals are considered fitting for the game's narrative and atmosphere, enhancing the storytelling experience despite not being highly polished by contemporary gaming benchmarks.
- “Throughout Blackwell, the parts that have consistently improved were the graphics, art, and animations, and I’m glad to witness the growth of Wadjet Eye Games.”
- “The graphics (especially the characters' sprites) are greatly improved.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous, and the voice acting and atmosphere are spot-on.”
- “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.”
gameplay
85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
73%
4%
The gameplay in the Blackwell series is characterized by its consistent mechanics, which remain largely unchanged from previous installments, focusing on investigation and dialogue rather than traditional item manipulation. While some players appreciate the narrative-driven puzzles and the polished execution of familiar mechanics, others find the gameplay to be somewhat dated and lacking in innovation. Overall, the series offers a solid point-and-click experience with engaging storytelling, though it may frustrate those seeking more challenging or novel gameplay elements.
- “The gameplay and art design are good, the voice acting is top notch, and most of the characters are well written.”
- “What I like most about this series is that the puzzles are narrative-based; it's not just endlessly trying to combine inventory items, but involves talking to people, getting clues, and using many different mechanics to solve puzzles.”
- “The gameplay is also great; I felt like I was actually doing the investigation!”
- “Gameplay-wise, it is your average point n’ click, nothing more, nothing less.”
- “There's not any innovation here regarding gameplay mechanics -- everything has been introduced in earlier games -- or technical stuff.”
- “The gameplay never tries to innovate.”
emotional
85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with many players expressing deep connections to the characters and story, often leading to tears during pivotal moments. The finale, particularly in "Blackwell Epiphany," is described as a heart-wrenching and satisfying conclusion that encapsulates the series' emotional depth, character growth, and poignant storytelling. Overall, players find the game to be an emotional rollercoaster, effectively blending humor and sadness while tackling serious themes.
- “I really never expected to get this emotional over a game.”
- “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.”
- “I was surprised and moved by the spiritual depth of the game and I have to admit that it has some very heartbreaking moments.”
music
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
42%
4%
The music in the game is consistently praised for its quality, with many reviewers highlighting its smooth jazz elements that complement the noir aesthetic and enhance the overall atmosphere. While some feel that the music is not as prominent or memorable as in previous entries, it still effectively supports the narrative and emotional depth of the game. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.
- “The soundtrack is also wonderful, as it has often been in this series.”
- “A smooth jazz soundtrack complements the noir aesthetic and the snow-encrusted city wonderfully.”
- “The music is great as always, and the story is as good as you'd expect.”
- “Sound effects have never been a strong point in Blackwell games; there just isn’t much going on with basic sounds, most of it is wrapped up into the music.”
- “The music wasn't as good as some of the previous games in my opinion, but it was alright.”
- “Music is fitting, but very, very forgettable (except in one spot where it's dominating and hinders following the plot).”
humor
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its sharpness and cleverness, with many reviewers highlighting the engaging banter between the characters Rosangela and Joey as a standout feature. The game balances humor with emotional depth, avoiding reliance on dark or crude jokes, and instead offers a unique comedic style that enhances the overall experience. Additionally, the inclusion of humorous developer commentary and a well-crafted script contributes to the game's reputation as both funny and captivating.
- “Once again, a stellar commentary with a hilarious blooper reel, and I really appreciate that they added some artist commentary, which I also quite enjoyed.”
- “The script is sharp and funny and just overall great.”
- “The conversations between Joey and Rosa are always interesting and often funny.”
atmosphere
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
21%
21%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, combining stunning graphics, effective voice acting, and a fitting winter setting that enhances the emotional depth of the story. Reviewers highlight the successful integration of music and visual design, creating a unique blend of noir and magic realism that resonates with players. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as a captivating and cohesive experience that elevates the narrative and engages the audience.
- “The atmosphere is on point, you're right there on the snow-covered city streets with them.”
- “Having a never-ending night with snow falling, urban background with a green palette to it, creates a unique and dark, deep atmosphere.”
- “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
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and emotional resonance, particularly through the evolving relationship between Rosangela and Joey, which enhances the overall storytelling experience. While some players feel that certain characters could benefit from further development, the series maintains a strong thematic continuity and consistently engages players with its well-crafted narratives and character arcs. Overall, the character development is highlighted as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and quality.
- “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 writing, character development, and accompanying voice acting is near perfection.”
- “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.”
- “Each title has that old school adventure vibe and interconnecting plotline, plus character development throughout the series.”
- “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.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally solid, with smooth performance and high-quality voice acting noted as strengths. However, there is a significant issue with a game-crashing bug encountered towards the end, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “For the most part, everything in the game runs smoothly.”
- “Both Abe Goldfarb and Rebecca Whittaker deserve to win awards for their multiple performances.”
- “Graphics quality and performance are rated 6/10.”
- “Performance: no issues with performance or bugs that I could find.”
- “Every other Blackwell game had a few stinker voice performances.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that while the game series features some tedious grinding typical of its genre, many players find the effort worthwhile for the rewarding narrative and emotional payoff. However, the extensive grinding can feel overwhelming at times, especially when pursuing specific achievements. Overall, the experience balances between being engaging and occasionally tedious.
- “Too much grinding.”
- “On one hand, this is a fantastic series and ends without wearing out its welcome, but at the same time, this is like two games crammed into one, which is sort of awesome but tedious if going for the 'leave under 300 footsteps' achievement.”
- “The series has its tedious parts like any other game of the genre, but it's well worth persevering through all five installments to see the narrative climax into something both beautiful and meaningful; something that goes beyond the expectations of a casual gaming experience.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players note that the game offers significant replayability through a variety of achievements, similar to its predecessors, encouraging them to revisit the game for completionist goals.
- “There are still a bunch of achievements that add replayability to the game, as with the previous titles.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
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.”