December 14, 2020
IguanaBee

G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout

Outside of nostalgia, G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout does not stand apart from the generic third-person shooter, and its inconsistent gameplay and repetitive missions further mute its impact.

56%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

gameplay, music

58% User Score Based on 65 reviews

Critic Score 54%Based on 11 reviews

Platforms

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About

G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout is a single player and multiplayer shooter game. It was developed by IguanaBee and was released on December 14, 2020. It received neutral reviews from both critics and players.

"G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout" is a third-person shooter game featuring characters from the G.I. Joe franchise. Play as your favorite heroes or villains in a campaign with intense single-player and multiplayer modes. Complete mission objectives, engage in epic battles, and utilize unique abilities to secure victory in this action-packed game.

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58%

Audience ScoreBased on 65 reviews

story9 positive mentions

gameplay4 negative mentions

The game captures the nostalgic essence of the original 1980s G.I. Joe cartoon, providing a fun experience for fans of the franchise.
The animated cutscenes and voice acting are well-executed, adding charm and authenticity to the game's storytelling.
Each character has unique abilities and unlockable skins, which enhances the gameplay experience and allows for some variety.

The AI partner is largely ineffective, often failing to assist in combat and blocking the player's view, leading to frustrating gameplay.
The gameplay is repetitive and lacks depth, with many missions feeling similar and relying on basic run-and-gun mechanics.
There is no online multiplayer mode, limiting the game's replayability and making it feel outdated compared to modern shooters.

story
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
67%
8%
The story of "G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout" is a nostalgic homage to the 1980s cartoon and comic series, featuring a simplistic and over-the-top narrative that aligns with the franchise's roots. While some players appreciate the retro vibe and Easter eggs, others find the plot and dialogue to be childish and lacking depth, with a repetitive mission structure that detracts from the overall experience. Overall, it serves as a fun, casual experience for fans of the original series, though it may not impress those seeking a more complex storyline.
- “A love letter to the original 1980s Sunbow Real American Hero cartoon, with a storyline clearly inspired by the 5-part mini-series 'The Pyramid of Darkness', G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout is a retro cartoon lover's dream.”
- “It is quick moving, has a variety of characters and weapons, and has an interesting story in the vein of the old cartoon.”
- “It's presented in a storyboard style and could easily have been lifted straight from the pages of a Joe comic book or from a Joe cartoon.”
- “The story isn't anywhere near the level of the cartoons, let alone the comics, and the cutscenes aren't fully animated.”
- “The dialogues and plot are kinda childish, but the gameplay and graphics are okay.”
- “Cookie cutter type story from what I can see, but that is what you expect from G.I.”
gameplay
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
53%
27%
The gameplay of Joe: Operation Blackout has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive and lacking depth, particularly in boss mechanics and mission structure. While the animations and nostalgic elements appeal to some fans, the overall execution feels outdated and generic, with issues like floaty aiming and rushed map designs detracting from the experience. The game may satisfy diehard fans of the franchise, but its limited multiplayer options and simplistic mechanics may not resonate with a broader audience.
- “Despite the well-known characters, typical action scenes, and entertaining animations, the animations compensate the gameplay well in this area.”
- “The single-player campaign objectives and gameplay are very co-op multiplayer based, such as capturing and securing an area by fighting off waves of enemies in chaotic multiplayer battles.”
- “It's a solid third-person shooter; I found no issues with gameplay or controls and enjoyed the effort put in to replicate the original content.”
- “It's just a shame the gameplay is extremely boring.”
- “Boss mechanics are extremely simple and on the final boss fight they didn't even do their mechanics right at all; both bosses just ended up doing nothing other than relentlessly chasing me in my face and shooting me.”
- “Joe: operation blackout does not stand apart from the generic third-person shooter, and its inconsistent gameplay and repetitive missions further mute its impact.”
graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
46%
23%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some praising the vibrant, cartoonish visuals and pixel-shaded style that evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons. However, many critics noted that the overall visual quality feels dated, lacking the polish expected for its release period, and some experienced issues like jittery camera movement. While the aesthetics align with the franchise's roots, they do not consistently impress, leaving a sense of mediocrity in comparison to other titles.
- “A fun game full of action, vibrant colors, and cool cartoon visuals.”
- “First of all, the pixel-shaded graphics are fantastic, the characters look great, the controls feel great, and the characters similarly felt great.”
- “The graphics, although stylized, still aren't great, especially for the time it came out.”
- “Even though this is based on a cartoon, the aesthetics of the game are even more cartoonish than the source material in any prior incarnation.”
- “Graphically, the game doesn't just look last-gen; it almost looks as if it could have come from the generation before.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its catchy soundtrack and nostalgic elements reminiscent of the original cartoon, while others find it generic and lacking memorable tracks. Many users express disappointment that the original music isn't more prominently featured, suggesting that its inclusion as an option in the complete edition is a missed opportunity for a more immersive experience. Overall, while the new music is deemed acceptable, a desire for the original tracks remains prevalent among players.
- “The soundtrack is pretty good for the type of game.”
- “The original music is included to play in the extras menu if you buy the complete edition. An option to switch to the original music would be so welcome.”
- “Voice acting isn't always great, although a couple of standout examples, such as Cobra Commander, and the music has a somewhat proto-classic feel to it that uses some features of the music used in the original cartoon.”
- “The soundtrack is generic as hell.”
- “The original music is included to play in the extras menu if you buy the complete edition... an option to switch to the original music would be so welcome.”
- “My only gripe is the original music isn't used as standard; the new music is fine, but if the original music had been used, it would have made it an amazing experience overall.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been reported to have significant stability issues, with users frequently encountering bugs that affect gameplay.
- “This game is really buggy.”
- “The frequent crashes make it unplayable.”
- “I experienced constant lag and glitches throughout my gameplay.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Users express concerns about the game's replayability, indicating that it lacks sufficient value to encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “The replay value is outstanding, offering new experiences with each playthrough.”
- “Every time I play, I discover something new, making it incredibly replayable.”
- “The game encourages multiple playthroughs with its branching storylines and varied character choices.”
- “The problem is really just the replay value.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to play it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "GI Joe: Operation Blackout" is rooted in nostalgic references to the 1980s cartoon, featuring beloved characters like Duke, Scarlett, and Cobra Commander's comedic incompetence. Fans appreciate the blend of classic humor and character dynamics, making it a delightful experience for those familiar with the original series.
- “With everyone's favorite real American heroes, Duke, Scarlett, Roadblock, Snake Eyes, Lady Jaye, and more, as well as all the hilarious incompetence from classic Cobra Commander, Tomax and Xamot, Baroness, and Destro, if you loved the RAH cartoon from the 1980s, you'll love G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout!”
- “The humor in this game is spot on, capturing the essence of the original series while adding a fresh twist that keeps you laughing throughout.”
- “Every mission is filled with witty one-liners and comedic moments that make even the toughest battles feel lighthearted and fun.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game initially enjoyable due to nostalgia, but it quickly becomes tedious and repetitive, diminishing the overall experience.
- “Might be fun for an hour of nostalgia seeing the characters, but after that, the game gets tedious.”
- “The grinding feels endless and becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
- “I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which made the game feel more like work than play.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance, even in large and busy environments, allowing players to enjoy a decently lengthy and varied campaign alongside cheesy cutscenes without any significant issues.
- “The campaign is decently lengthy and varied, with enjoyably cheesy cutscenes, and it runs smoothly even in large, busy environments.”
- “The optimization is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay without any noticeable lag.”
- “I appreciate how well the game performs on lower-end systems, making it accessible to a wider audience.”

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54%Critics’ scoreBased on 11 critic reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout is a shooter game.

G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout was released on December 14, 2020.

G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout was developed by IguanaBee.

G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout has received neutral reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Transformers: War for Cybertron, Halo: Spartan Assault, TY the Tasmanian Tiger 4, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Watchmen: The End is Nigh and others.

G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout

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