I Saw Black Clouds

63%
Game Brain Score Based on 189 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • replayability
I Saw Black Clouds Game Cover
New FMV game brings the drama but stumbles in final act
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"I Saw Black Clouds" is an interactive psychological thriller featuring supernatural elements and a branching narrative. After her friend's sudden death, protagonist Kristina, played by Nicole O'Neill , uncovers dark secrets in her hometown. Players' interactions and moral choices influence the story's outcome, with a 'Skip Scene' feature and 'Personality Assessment' available post-playthrough. Discretion advised due to mature themes.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

63%
Audience ScoreBased on 189 reviews
story50 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features a well-produced FMV experience with decent acting, particularly from the protagonist, which enhances the overall immersion.
  • There are multiple branching paths and endings, providing replay value and encouraging players to explore different choices.
  • The story tackles dark themes and offers a psychological thriller experience that can be engaging for fans of the genre.
  • Many choices feel inconsequential, often leading to the same outcomes regardless of player decisions, which undermines the interactive aspect.
  • The editing and transitions between scenes are poorly executed, with abrupt cuts and audio issues that disrupt the flow of the narrative.
  • The plot can be confusing and disjointed, with a lack of clarity in character motivations and story progression, leaving players feeling unsatisfied.
  • story209 mentions

    The story of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it traditional yet convoluted, often feeling disjointed and confusing. While some appreciate the intriguing plot twists and the potential for multiple endings based on player choices, others criticize the lack of meaningful impact from those choices and the overall execution of the narrative. The themes of horror, guilt, and psychological elements are present, but the storytelling quality varies, leading to a polarized reception among players.

    • “I enjoyed the plot and the game also throws you a massive plot point about midway through that will piece a lot of what's going on together, which I think I really enjoyed as it started to make sense and really throws a new perspective on the story.”
    • “All in all, the story was entertaining, and having a quite different story at the second playthrough (with the same characters but in different roles) was refreshing, saving this FMV from the 'nanard' category.”
    • “There are many sinister characters to encounter as the story progresses and there is the feeling of being unsure of who to trust and who not to.”
    • “The plot is absolute disjointed nonsense, the cause and effect of your choices is obscure, the dialogue is inane and delivered over hours of joyless monotone, editing is nonexistent, basic direction like blocking and sight-lines are all over the place, the cinematography and camerawork is basic, and the subject matter (rape, suicide, and mental illness!) is handled about as sensitively as a goose stuck in a toilet.”
    • “The story was generally muddled and confusing.”
    • “Many of the choices in the game don't seem to actually change anything in the story.”
  • music23 mentions

    The music in the game is noted for its imaginative and original compositions, particularly the song "Oh Baby" featured in bar scenes, which enhances the atmosphere. However, many reviewers criticize the abrupt cuts and looping of music during scene transitions, which disrupts immersion and tension. Overall, while the soundtrack is praised, the execution of its integration with gameplay leaves much to be desired, often breaking the flow of the narrative.

    • “It is not really a very scary game; there are some jumpscares, but it is more about the thrilling pressure of the unknown, and this is done pretty well with the story and music.”
    • “Other elements that stood out for me were the music, which I thought was imaginative and original. I especially liked the song 'Oh Baby' that appears in the bar scenes.”
    • “Those titles possessed fantastic actors, decor, often a very cinematic atmosphere, fantastic soundtracks, and inventive storytelling rarely found in other games.”
    • “A lot of scenes use that ominous, gradually increasing musical tone to build tension, but if (within the same scene) the camera quick cuts to another POV, the audio resets!”
    • “There are some cons of the game, the music sometimes cuts off and loops, especially in the bar scene; also, the transition between the scenes after the choices is not smooth.”
    • “The editing is done so poorly that when you make a choice, the background music doesn't even connect.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    The game offers notable replayability through its four different endings, numerous achievements, and parallel storylines, encouraging players to explore various outcomes. While some players appreciate the ability to revisit scenes and the extensive number of video clips, others note that inconsistencies in the narrative can detract from the experience. Overall, players find value in replaying the game to uncover new content and variations, despite some limitations.

    • “There are about 600 video clips and so far I’ve played through the game twice and only seen 355 scenes… so lots of replayability.”
    • “Personally, even though I still have a lot of endings to see, I enjoyed my time with this and as someone who has played the whole Wales' catalog, I really appreciate the advances they are making in terms of their technology and really making these inexpensive titles have a lot of replay value.”
    • “There are four different endings with slight variations, as well as achievements, which add some replay value.”
    • “Having different parallel storylines is great for replayability but inevitably creates bad fittings and strange cutscenes.”
    • “Being able to tab through scenes that have already been watched is very helpful for replayability and allows players to concentrate on what changes they might be making to the story.”
  • graphics8 mentions

    The graphics in the game are described as disjointed and inconsistent compared to previous titles by the developer, with a strong British aesthetic that may resonate with fans of British television. While the visuals and acting are deemed decent, there are notable issues with transitions, including glitches and stutters that detract from the overall experience. The blend of live-action and graphics offers a unique mechanical approach, showcasing the potential of FMV games beyond traditional narrative formats.

    • “There's a strong British feeling to this game - the setting, the surroundings, even the lighting and aesthetics of the scenes and the manner of acting will probably be more familiar to those who are used to British television.”
    • “The acting and visuals are decent, and the story is kind of interesting.”
    • “At Dead of Night's blend of live-action and graphics allows you to freely traverse around an environment while avoiding an AI character, showing us how FMV games can be more mechanically experimental than the 'choose your own adventure' delivery.”
    • “But this game is worse than others by this developer in the fact that much of the game's visuals seem disjointed.”
    • “There’s almost always a hard cut on the visuals and even a short glitchy pause, a stutter in the audio (soundtrack and background noises as well) during the transitions.”
    • “The acting & visuals are decent & the story is kind of interesting.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it intriguing and heartbreaking, while others criticize it for a low-quality story and poor acting. Despite its clichés, many appreciate the strong emotional impact of the ending and the depth of the main character, suggesting that it can offer a compelling emotional journey for those willing to engage with it.

    • “This is an excellent and emotionally captivating movie, one of the best ones I've played.”
    • “While having some cliché scenes and dialogues, I found the ending to be very strong in an emotional way.”
    • “If you're prepared to go on an emotional journey, then you should like this game.”
    • “The story was incredibly boring and the acting was subpar.”
    • “The emotional depth was lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I felt no emotional engagement throughout the game; it was a flat experience.”
  • atmosphere7 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive and detailed settings, such as Dominique's house and the old mental asylum, which effectively evoke a sense of unease and tension. However, some players feel that certain choices detract from the overall experience, leading to moments of stagnation that disrupt the otherwise engaging atmosphere. Overall, the game successfully creates a captivating and creepy ambiance that enhances its storytelling.

    • “Not a game for the faint of heart; it certainly has some topics that could make people uneasy. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this game. I got creeped out a lot, and the atmosphere of the game was amazing.”
    • “A great atmosphere is set up and sustained in this game, not wasted like you see in countless films.”
    • “Some choices are well embedded in the story and atmosphere (at the therapist's office) just to be ruined by bland choices like turning left or right, followed by going left or right, etc. It kind of reminded me of my first 13-year-old D&D dungeon master.”
    • “The scenes do drag on a little bit (though some of it is for atmosphere), but combined with the choices-that-aren't-really-choices problem above, it's noticeable, like when you're walking through the mental institution that nothing really happens for a good while until finally one thing happens and you leave.”
    • “Everything is shot so well that you can feel the atmosphere of what is happening in detail.”
  • gameplay7 mentions

    The gameplay is primarily centered around simple dialog choices, which some users find lacking in depth and engagement, reminiscent of old interactive DVD movies. While the binary choice mechanic is noted for its mobile-friendliness, there is a desire for more innovative gameplay mechanics, as seen in titles that blend live-action with exploration and AI interaction. Overall, the gameplay may disappoint those seeking a more dynamic experience.

    • “Whilst ISBC pushes the binary choice mechanic into an interesting place and remains a very mobile-friendly solution, I do hope FMV games start to go in a more interesting direction.”
    • “At Dead of Night's blend of live-action and graphics allows you to freely traverse around an environment while avoiding an AI character, showing us how FMV games can be more mechanically experimental than the 'choose your own adventure' delivery.”
    • “The only gameplay interaction is some scattered, nonsensical dialog choices.”
    • “The gameplay is reminiscent of old interactive DVD movies where you just click a choice and the story continues.”
    • “At Dead of Night's blend of live-action and graphics allows you to freely traverse an environment while avoiding an AI character, showing how FMV games can be more mechanically experimental than the 'choose your own adventure' delivery.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as very dark and unconventional, lacking the campiness found in other FMVs, yet it is also considered hilariously entertaining by some players. While the comedic elements are appreciated, there seems to be confusion about whether the game leans more towards horror or humor, with several endings and a "funny plot" contributing to the mixed perceptions. Overall, it elicits laughter, making it a unique experience despite its ambiguous genre.

    • “Not scary in the slightest... one of the most hilarious things ever made.”
    • “And my friend and I absolutely loved laughing at it every step of the way.”
    • “Several endings, a funny plot, and the play of actors... (what?)”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The optimization of the game's narrative is mixed, with some users praising the actors for their strong performances that enhance the storytelling, while others criticize the overacting and lack of authenticity, suggesting that the delivery feels forced and rehearsed. Overall, the effectiveness of the performances varies significantly among players.

    • “Selling the narrative is the primary goal of any FMV game, and the actors provide enough backing to their performances to accomplish that goal with the materials provided.”
    • “The actors put on a wonderful performance.”
    • “The acting of the main and supporting characters is terrible; they overact too much, and you can tell they recite their lines by heart. As they advertised the game, I expected better performances.”
    • “The optimization of the game is lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during key scenes.”
    • “I encountered numerous bugs that hindered my progress, making the overall experience frustrating and unenjoyable.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates solid technical stability with no major glitches, but players have noted issues with ambient sound inconsistencies and a buggy decision-pause mode. Additionally, the narrative suffers from plot holes and continuity errors, detracting from the overall experience despite the game's engaging intentions.

    • “Technically the game works well with no major glitches; however, the break between decisions takes you a bit out of the experience as the ambient sound stops and changes volume at times.”
    • “The mode that has the game pause at decisions seemed a bit buggy.”
    • “This shouldn't be a bad thing, but the story has too many plot holes and incomprehensible glitches: characters mention others you haven't talked about; you run away from one place in perfect condition and in the next scene you come out bleeding. I've played through the game twice, and I'll probably play it several more times to discover all the endings, but I think it's a shame that a game with such good intentions has so many seams.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or additional lives to progress effectively.

    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
    • “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel well-earned.”
    • “I love how the grinding mechanics encourage exploration and experimentation with different strategies.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
    • “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

51% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
5-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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