Blackwell Unbound
- September 4, 2007
- Wadjet Eye Games
- 5h median play time
Get on SteamIn "Blackwell Unbound," players step into the role of Lauren Blackwell, a medium investigating a series of strange accidents in 1973 Manhattan, accompanied by her spirit guide Joey Mallone. As they uncover a supernatural conspiracy, they must use their wits and Lauren's abilities to prevent a mysterious killer from striking again. This atmospheric point-and-click adventure game is a captivating follow-up to the original "Blackwell Legacy."
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Reviews
- Engaging story with well-developed characters, particularly Lauren Blackwell, who is a more interesting protagonist than Rosa.
- The ability to switch between Lauren and Joey adds depth to the gameplay and puzzle-solving mechanics.
- Atmospheric jazz soundtrack that enhances the 1970s setting and overall mood of the game.
- The game is relatively short, taking only about 2-3 hours to complete, which may leave players wanting more.
- Some puzzles can feel overly simplistic or require backtracking, which can disrupt the flow of the game.
- Voice acting quality varies, with some performances feeling less polished and a few instances of audio distortion.
- story308 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Blackwell Unbound" unfolds over a single night in 1973, focusing on two seemingly unrelated cases that provide rich backstory for key characters in the series. While it serves as a prequel to "Blackwell Legacy," many players appreciate its deeper exploration of character dynamics, particularly between Lauren and Joey, and find the narrative engaging despite some unresolved plot points. Overall, the game is praised for its emotional depth, strong writing, and the way it sets the stage for future installments in the series.
“The story is tight and far more effective, providing a moving experience that allows for personal engagement unlike traditional narratives.”
“The relationship between Lauren and Joey is the real strength of this game; there's not only an interesting plot that develops, but also a lot of character unveiling.”
“Blackwell Unbound is a remarkable prequel that adds depth to the overarching story of the series, making it essential for fans who want to understand the characters' backgrounds.”
“The story is still mediocre.”
“The story is short and sweet but crescendos much better than legacy.”
“The story was really sad and made me tear at certain points; death and the loss of beloved ones is a common theme in there.”
- gameplay115 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Blackwell Unbound" builds upon its predecessor with the introduction of a character-switching mechanic, allowing players to control both Lauren and Joey, which adds depth to puzzle-solving and character interaction. While the core mechanics remain similar to the first game, some players find the gameplay too simplified and occasionally frustrating due to pixel hunting and the need for specific actions that can be easily overlooked. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging story and improved mechanics, though some feel it could benefit from more intuitive gameplay elements.
“The gameplay mechanics have been touched up a bit with some modern quality-of-life improvements, but the core of the game stays the same.”
“The other awesome new mechanic is that you can play as both Lauren and Joey, switching between each character and acting independently to take advantage of their different skills as needed to forward the storyline.”
“This to me is exactly what a good sequel should be: it elaborates on the first by adding a couple of new mechanics (switching between characters and having more item interaction is great), and it also adds to the world.”
“While this definitely adds a new perspective to the gameplay, it also suffers from the 'subtle puzzle syndrome' where it becomes too easy to miss things when you didn’t know you were supposed to switch.”
“Unfortunately, unlike some other successful adventure games that have used this mechanic, Blackwell Unbound doesn't really make good use of the ability to switch characters.”
“The second installment in the Blackwell series is a big improvement on the first game, but gameplay is still not very intuitive.”
- music99 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its smooth jazz and piano compositions, which effectively capture the 1970s noir atmosphere and enhance the emotional depth of the story. Many reviewers noted that the soundtrack is a significant improvement over the previous installment, with memorable tracks that resonate well with the game's themes and characters. Overall, the music is described as a standout feature, contributing to an immersive experience, although some players wished for better sound volume options.
“The jazz/piano music fits perfectly within the 70’s timeline, and the ending has its own song.”
“Ghostly noir narrator: (with an eerie resonance) the soundtrack, a haunting melody of melancholy notes, echoed the sorrows of the departed, creating an emotional connection to the characters and their pasts.”
“The ambiance and the saxophone-rich soundtrack really get you in the proper mood.”
“A technical mishap is the unadjustable MIDI music, that ruins a few scenes by overwhelming the dialogue.”
“Although the music in this game probably did a better job at setting the right mood, there just weren't really any toe-tapping tunes that the first game had.”
“The music is better than the first game but they really need some sound volume options.”
- graphics86 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting a nostalgic charm in the retro pixel art style reminiscent of classic adventure games. However, several critiques highlight the graphics as being crude or lacking in detail, especially when compared to its predecessor, leading to a perception of lower quality overall. While some appreciate the aesthetic and ambiance created by the visuals, others find them disappointing and outdated, particularly on modern displays.
“The visuals, bathed in a sepia glow, transported players to an era long past, an era of vintage charm and enigmatic mysteries.”
“Beautiful graphics and background music as well as voice acting.”
“Graphics aren't great, the voice acting is slightly above average, the writing and dialog are solid.”
“The graphics in this game harken back to a simpler time in the 90s, the time of LucasArts and Sierra graphic adventures.”
“The graphics and voice acting are other pieces of evidence that Blackwell Unbound seems to have been given less thought and attention than the first game.”
- atmosphere24 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its rich, nostalgic noir aesthetic, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and strong voice acting. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a melancholic yet immersive experience, effectively transporting players to a bygone era filled with mystery and emotion. Despite some narrative shortcomings, the overall ambiance and thematic elements are considered compelling enough to recommend the game.
“Ghostly noir narrator: (exhales, creating an ethereal mist) the atmosphere was thick with nostalgia, capturing the essence of a bygone era.”
“The mood and atmosphere are great — the game is melancholic and tender, dealing with human emotion and regrets about wasted lives.”
“The writing and characters are absolutely wonderful, and the jazz-noir atmosphere is thoroughly soothing.”
“But where the game does lack narratively, it does manage to make up for it with atmosphere.”
“It's a very tentative recommendation; I hope the last two games of the series will have a less depressing atmosphere.”
“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, but the story and atmosphere are reason enough to pick it up.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's optimization received mixed feedback, with performance generally deemed acceptable but marred by issues such as disrupting Windows 11 HDR upon exit. While the graphics and voice acting showed improvement over previous titles, they still fell short of the quality found in other games at a similar price point. Overall, the optimization aspect appears to have room for enhancement, particularly in technical stability.
“The smoky jazz and rain slick 1970's New York streets are one thing, but the vocal performances have also been improved considerably.”
“I was really impressed with The Blackwell Legacy's graphics and voice acting; everything looked really painstakingly drawn, and the voice actors gave great performances.”
“Whereas the voice actress for BL's protagonist Rosangela delivered a bland performance, BU's protagonist Lauren is engaging and brings life to the game.”
“Performance was fine except for breaking my Windows 11 HDR every time upon game exit.”
“I hate to criticize people's acting abilities, especially since I'm certain I'd be absolutely terrible at it, but I feel like the voice performances in Blackwell Unbound really got in the way of my enjoying the game.”
“[h1] [b] graphics (quality/art style/animations/ui/performance) – [2/10] [/b] [/h1]”
- humor11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the witty interactions and charming characters, others feel it often falls flat or is overshadowed by the serious tone of the story. There are standout moments of humor, particularly in character dynamics, but a desire for more consistent comedic elements is noted. Overall, the humor can enhance the experience for those who enjoy a blend of comedy and narrative depth.
“Loved the sleuthing and the humor.”
“Astonishing characters, humor, voices and graphics (if you like the style).”
“Very funny moments with very touching too.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 88 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a haunting soundtrack that enhances the connection to the characters' pasts, with several reviews noting touching moments and impactful storytelling. While some found the narrative lacking in depth, others praised the emotional writing and the ability to evoke tears, particularly in the finale. Overall, the blend of humor and poignant moments contributes to a compelling emotional experience.
“The storyline has some emotional moments, made better by its jazzy soundtrack.”
“The musician's story's end was actually touching.”
“Since we already know how Lauren's story will end eventually, seeing her venturing further down into her end is somehow heartbreaking.”
“The story lacks depth and the characters feel one-dimensional, making it hard to connect emotionally.”
“I found the emotional moments to be forced and unconvincing, leaving me feeling detached from the narrative.”
“The game tries to evoke feelings but ends up feeling hollow and uninspired.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to excessive backtracking and the requirement to complete certain achievements, such as managing cigarette consumption, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the narrative and gameplay. While the game has strong writing and dialogue, the repetitive mechanics and subpar graphics diminish the experience for some users.
“My only complaint is that the achievements to smoke less than 20 or more than 100 cigarettes are not particularly fun to get, since they require either grinding out cigarettes (odd choice for an adventure game) or speedrunning the whole game, which is counter-productive to enjoying the excellent writing and dialogue.”
“However, subpar graphics and tedious repetitive mechanics squeezed the joy out of Blackwell Unbound.”
“One of the achievements is offensively grindy.”
- character development5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the character development across the series is well-executed, with a polished evolution in dialogue and relationships, particularly noting the refreshing design of new characters like Lauren and her intriguing dynamic with Joey. Many feel that the character arcs are more impactful in the latest installment compared to the first, enhancing the overall emotional experience.
“Everything is a little more polished than the first, from the cases to the dialogue, voice acting, and character development.”
“Once completed, this one moved me more than the first (Blackwell Legacy) with even better character development.”
“Each title has that old school adventure vibe and interconnecting plotline, plus character development throughout the series.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is primarily driven by achievements and a few easter eggs, but it is generally considered low due to its short length and the presence of missable content. While some players appreciate the solid elements carried over from the first game, the overall replay value remains limited.
“Another point towards solid replayability.”
“The only replay value comes from achievements, of which some are missable, and some easter eggs.”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report no crashes or graphical issues, others highlight numerous bugs and a clunky interface that detracts from the experience. Overall, it seems to inherit the problematic traits of its predecessors, leading to a frustrating experience for some users.
“Buggy as hell, has all of the problems of the other games but somehow they are more annoying.”
“Impressions: anyone who's played the first two Blackwell games will point to their lo-fi charm... Blackwell captures the days of SCUMM/LucasArts perfectly... all too perfectly with its quirks, dead-ends, glitches, and clunky interface.”
