G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout

60%
Game Brain Score Based on 98 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout Game Cover
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.
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"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.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

60%
Audience ScoreBased on 98 reviews
story11 positive mentions
character development3 negative mentions
  • The game captures the nostalgic essence of the G.I. Joe franchise, appealing to fans of the original cartoon and comics.
  • The character variety and unique abilities provide a fun gameplay experience, especially for those who enjoy third-person shooters.
  • The comic book-style cutscenes and voice acting add charm and authenticity to the overall presentation.
  • The AI for both allies and enemies is poorly designed, often leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • The gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks depth, with many missions being similar and environments reused.
  • The game suffers from technical issues, including bugs and poor controls, which detract from the overall enjoyment.
  • story56 mentions

    The story of "G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout" is a nostalgic homage to the 1980s cartoon, featuring a simplistic and over-the-top narrative that aligns with the franchise's roots. While some players appreciate the retro vibe and character variety, others criticize the plot for being shallow and repetitive, with gameplay that often feels disconnected from the story's progression. Overall, it offers a fun, casual experience for die-hard fans, but may not satisfy those seeking a deeper narrative.

    • “The story was amazing.”
    • “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.”
    • “The story is just as simplistic as all those early cartoons were, so the 'Arah' fans certainly can't complain.”
    • “The story isn't anywhere near the level of the cartoons, let alone the comics, and the cutscenes aren't fully animated.”
    • “Joe: Operation Blackout didn't elicit a wow reaction from me, but like most video games made from a franchise, you're faced with repetitive missions with endless use of the same attacks and combos.”
  • gameplay25 mentions

    The gameplay of G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout is characterized by its simple and conventional mechanics, which some players find boring despite the entertaining animations and fan service. While the game features a fun arena-shooter style with solo and co-op modes, unique character abilities, and a variety of weapons, it suffers from repetitive gameplay and lackluster boss mechanics. Overall, it appeals more to fans of the franchise, but many reviewers note that the gameplay feels generic and outdated.

    • “Alternating between playing as both Cobra and the Joes gave a slight nuance to the otherwise conventional gameplay structure.”
    • “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.”
    • “G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout features fun, arena-shooter style gameplay, with solo and co-op game modes.”
    • “And honestly, I wanted it to succeed so Hasbro would be compelled to make more (better) Joe games... but it came out as expected; low budget, rushed, extremely generic mechanics. Character choice is essentially a reskin with a primary weapon change, and none of the weapons feel substantially different. The short campaign gets samey within moments.”
    • “It's just a shame the gameplay is extremely boring.”
    • “Boss mechanics are extremely simple, and in 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 and shooting at me.”
  • graphics14 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the vibrant colors and comic book art style, while others find them lacking compared to other titles. Although the visuals are described as decent and reminiscent of games like Borderlands, criticisms include a cartoonish aesthetic that feels overly simplistic and issues with camera movement. Overall, while the graphics are a highlight for some, they do not evoke a strong positive reaction from all players.

    • “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.”
    • “I didn't really care for the cell-shaded graphics or dithered textured skies, and I also experienced jittery camera movement that was not smooth at all.”
  • music12 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the well-selected background tracks and catchy soundtrack, while others find it generic and lacking memorable tunes. Many players express disappointment that the original music is not used as the default, suggesting that its inclusion as an option in the complete edition would enhance the overall experience.

    • “The soundtrack is pretty good for the type of game.”
    • “Music and sound effects: well-selected background music.”
    • “+ great music selection”
    • “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.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The stability of the game is mixed, with some users reporting significant bugs and poor performance even on high-end hardware, while others have experienced smooth gameplay. Overall, the game's stability appears to be inconsistent.

    • “Runs great.”
    • “The game maintains a smooth performance without any crashes.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is, even during intense moments.”
    • “This game is really buggy.”
    • “This game runs poorly on an i9-10900k / 3080ti; it's buggy.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in "G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout" is characterized by self-aware jokes and a nostalgic nod to the 1980s cartoon, featuring beloved characters and their comedic incompetence. Players appreciate the game's lighthearted tone and fun action, making it a standout title for fans of the franchise despite its budget nature.

    • “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!”
    • “Definitely a budget title, but between the self-aware humor, earnest appreciation for the IP, and damn fun action (even the vehicle sections!), Operation Blackout might actually be the first genuinely good G.I.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    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.”
    • “There isn't much incentive to play through the game again.”
    • “Once you've completed it, there's little reason to return.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the character development in the game is lacking, with some users suggesting that the character designs are better appreciated as figures from a separate series rather than within the game's narrative context.

    • “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, making it hard to connect with anyone in the game.”
    • “I was hoping for a rich backstory, but the characters are one-dimensional and forgettable.”
    • “The lack of meaningful growth for the characters left me feeling disappointed and disengaged from the story.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    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 part of the game.”
    • “I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which made the experience feel monotonous.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization of this game is viewed positively compared to other licensed titles, as it offers fan service and solid mechanics rather than feeling like a cash grab, which is a common criticism of similar games.

  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's atmosphere resonates strongly with fans of Joe cartoons, comics, and action figure collecting, evoking a nostalgic and immersive experience that appeals to this audience.

    • “Fans of cartoons, comics, or collecting action figures will truly appreciate the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is immersive and transports you to a vibrant world filled with nostalgia.”
    • “Every detail in the environment contributes to a captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth that would draw players in.”
    • “Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere is dull and fails to create an engaging experience.”
    • “The world feels lifeless, with minimal environmental interaction that detracts from immersion.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally solid, though players have reported occasional minor performance hiccups.

    • “There are minor performance hiccups here and there.”
    • “The game struggles with optimization, leading to frequent frame drops.”
    • “I experienced significant lag during intense gameplay moments.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

54% average critic score

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