Blackwell Unbound

About

Blackwell Unbound is a single player action game with drama and mystery themes. It was developed by Wadjet Eye Games and was released on January 13, 2012. It received very positive reviews from players.

In "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."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 547 reviews

story144 positive mentions

grinding7 negative mentions

Engaging narrative with well-developed characters, particularly Lauren and Joey, enhancing the emotional depth of the story.
Improved gameplay mechanics, including the ability to switch between Lauren and Joey, adding variety to puzzle-solving.
Atmospheric setting with a strong jazz soundtrack that complements the 1970s New York vibe.

Short playtime, typically around 2-3 hours, which may leave players wanting more content.
Some puzzles can feel overly simplistic or require excessive backtracking, leading to potential frustration.
Voice acting quality is inconsistent, with some performances feeling less polished than others.

story
406 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
63%
2%
The story of "Blackwell Unbound," the second installment in the Blackwell series, is praised for its deep narrative and emotional resonance, exploring themes of compassion, duty, and the burdens of mediating between life and death. Players appreciate the character dynamics, particularly between Lauren and her ghostly partner Joey, as well as the engaging plot that intertwines personal struggles with supernatural elements. However, some critiques highlight the game's brevity and pacing issues, suggesting that while the story is compelling, it may feel incomplete or rushed without the context of the broader series.
- “Thank you, Wadjet Eye Games, for a story that I still remember in my heart even though I played it like 8 years ago.”
- “It’s a story about compassion, frustration, and the unseen burdens of those who mediate between life and death.”
- “The relationship between Lauren and Joey is the real strength of this game: there's not only an interesting plot that develops, there's also a lot of character unveiling here; you get to understand Lauren's feelings towards her 'job' and Joey's towards his partner, even though they are never expressed aloud.”
- “The story is once again feels like an intro chapter and then it just ends abruptly.”
- “I just don’t understand what is the point of creating a story that is essentially just a build-up to nothing.”
- “This game’s entire story would be considered too short for an unmarked side quest in any other game.”
gameplay
137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
78%
4%
The gameplay in "Blackwell Unbound" retains the classic adventure structure while introducing new mechanics, such as character switching between Lauren and Joey, which enhances puzzle-solving and narrative depth. While some players appreciate the added complexity and intuitive design, others feel that certain mechanics, like clue combining, are underutilized compared to the first game. Overall, the gameplay is seen as an improvement with more engaging interactions, though it still faces criticism for occasional pixel hunting and simplicity.
- “Gameplay stays true to the classic adventure structure while introducing mechanics that enhance its narrative depth.”
- “The game's main mechanics are puzzles (some inventory-based, others environmental or deductive), conversations with choices, and combining clues in your notebook.”
- “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.”
- “Joey serves no purpose story or gameplay-wise, and that's pretty bad considering he is supposed to be the deuteragonist.”
- “Even the basic mechanic of the franchise, where you combine clues in your notebook to create new leads to solve a mystery, is barely used here, and it feels like it is only included because it was such a major feature in the first game.”
- “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.”
music
129 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
45%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric jazz soundtrack, which effectively enhances the noir setting and emotional depth of the story. Many players noted improvements over the previous installment, with a blend of ambient melodies and saxophone notes that create a fitting backdrop for the narrative. However, some users expressed frustration over the lack of volume control options, which occasionally detracted from the overall experience.
- “The game’s soundtrack complements the mood perfectly, blending ambient melodies and somber saxophone notes that heighten the sense of noir melancholy.”
- “The music is a soothing jazz that works perfectly as a backdrop.”
- “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.”
- “A looping sax music segment literally gave me a headache after a while and I chose to play with no sound until that was over.”
graphics
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
65%
10%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalist pixel-art style that remains consistent with the developer's previous works, showcasing charming yet somewhat crude visuals. While some players appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and improvements in animation, others criticize the outdated resolution and occasional graphical glitches. Overall, the visuals evoke a retro feel reminiscent of classic adventure games, though opinions vary on their execution and appeal.
- “With gorgeous graphics (I particularly liked the jambalaya records scene, which cleverly combines an exterior and interior shot), very good voice acting and interesting puzzles, Blackwell Unbound was a joy to play.”
- “The pixel graphics/art style is good and feels as though it got a little bit of an update, which was nice; the commentary was good.”
- “Great story, lovely art style - the right game to spend your evening with.”
- “The game uses AGS, a primitive tool for creating graphical adventure games that was frankly outdated even when this game first released.”
- “Graphics are still very coarse at a base resolution of 320x240, there are still letterboxes on the sides of the screen, and the mouse cursor still has the size of my thumb on my 43" monitor.”
- “However, subpar graphics and tedious repetitive mechanics squeezed the joy out of Blackwell Unbound.”
atmosphere
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
25%
8%
The atmosphere of "Blackwell Unbound" is widely praised for its effective use of simple pixel art and a haunting jazz soundtrack that captures the gritty essence of 1970s New York. Reviewers highlight the game's emotional depth and moody ambiance, which enhance the storytelling and character interactions, making it a standout entry in the series despite some narrative shortcomings. Overall, the game's atmospheric qualities create an engaging and immersive experience that resonates with players.
- “Despite its age and modest production, it remains a standout example of indie storytelling done with heart, atmosphere, and unflinching emotional honesty.”
- “We explore a moody 1970s New York, perfectly captured with its atmosphere and the haunting piano soundtrack.”
- “The writing and characters are absolutely wonderful, and the jazz-noir atmosphere is thoroughly soothing.”
- “While the writing, music, and atmosphere are all top-notch, I couldn’t help but wish there was a little more meat on the bones.”
- “But where the game does lack narratively, it does manage to make up with atmosphere.”
- “It's a very tentative recommendation; I hope the last two games of the series will have a less depressing atmosphere.”
humor
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its authenticity and charm, often delivered through witty banter and relatable character interactions, particularly between the main characters, Lauren and Joey. While some reviewers noted that the serious tone occasionally overshadows the humor, many found the dialogue to be natural and engaging, contributing to both comedic and emotional moments. Overall, the blend of humor with a compelling narrative and strong character development enhances the gaming experience, making it enjoyable for players who appreciate a mix of lightheartedness and depth.
- “Their banter feels authentic, balancing humor and pathos, and their evolving relationship gives the story emotional resonance that elevates it beyond a standard paranormal detective tale.”
- “Great writing with lots of humor and heart.”
- “Lauren is so funny and snarky!”
emotional
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
93%
20%
"Blackwell Unbound" is praised for its emotionally charged narrative, driven by the compelling partnership between the protagonist, Lauren, and the ghost, Joey. Their authentic banter balances humor and pathos, creating a poignant atmosphere that resonates deeply with players. The game's writing and voice acting contribute to its emotional depth, making it a standout example of indie storytelling that evokes genuine feelings, particularly in its touching moments and impactful finale.
- “Her sharp wit and vulnerability make her instantly compelling, and her partnership with Joey—a sardonic ghost tethered to her family’s legacy—forms the emotional backbone of the narrative.”
- “The writing is poignant without being heavy-handed, and it’s in these quiet moments—when Lauren listens to a ghost’s final confession or Joey reflects on the passage of time—that the game achieves real emotional power.”
- “Despite its age and modest production, it remains a standout example of indie storytelling done with heart, atmosphere, and unflinching emotional honesty.”
- “The story is boring and the characters are bland; you just ping-pong from one place to another without any emotional depth.”
- “I felt no connection to the characters, making it hard to care about their journeys.”
- “The emotional moments fell flat, lacking the impact needed to resonate with players.”
optimization
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
37%
27%
The game's optimization received mixed feedback, with performance generally being acceptable but causing issues like breaking Windows 11 HDR upon exit. While the graphics and voice acting showed improvement over previous titles, some players felt that the overall quality did not match that of other games in the same price range.
- “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.”
- “Overall voice performances were better than The Blackwell Legacy but not as professional as other titles I've played at a similar price point (including future Wadjet Eye game titles).”
- “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.”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have noted that the grinding aspect of the game can be tedious, particularly with achievements that require excessive backtracking or repetitive tasks, such as collecting cigarettes. While some appreciate the thoughtful scenarios and writing, the grind for certain achievements detracts from the overall enjoyment, making it feel counterproductive to the game's narrative experience.
- “A cool little game, although it involves a lot more tedious walking back and forth between places.”
- “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.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting significant bugs and graphical glitches, particularly on macOS 14, while others experienced no crashes and enjoyed the nostalgic charm despite minor issues. Overall, the game exhibits a range of stability problems that can detract from the experience, though some players found it manageable.
- “Sadly it's too buggy to play in 2023, at least on macOS 14.”
- “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.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
Reviewers highlight that the character development throughout the series is well-executed, showcasing a polished evolution in both dialogue and relationships. The introduction of new characters, like Lauren, adds freshness, while the deepening connections, particularly between her and Joey, enhance emotional engagement. Overall, the series demonstrates a consistent maturation in character design and development, making it more impactful with each installment.
- “Each title has that old school adventure vibe and interconnecting plotline, plus character development throughout the series.”
- “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.”
- “You can also see the art style and character design mature with each installment.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
40%
40%
The game's replayability is considered solid due to the presence of achievements and easter eggs, although it is generally viewed as low due to its short length and the fact that some achievements are missable. While players may return to experience different aspects of the story, the overall replay value is limited.
- “Another point towards solid replayability.”
- “The only replay value comes from achievements, of which some are missable, and some easter eggs.”
- “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.”