Penumbra: Black Plague Gold Edition

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,334 reviews
  • story
  • atmosphere
  • gameplay
Penumbra: Black Plague Gold Edition Game Cover
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"Penumbra: Black Plague Gold Edition" is a survival horror game that follows protagonist Philip's journey through a dark, underground complex to uncover the truth about his father's disappearance. The game features a cutting-edge engine, realistic lighting and atmospheric effects, and a blend of puzzles and combat to test players' problem-solving skills and nerve. The Gold Edition includes the base game and the puzzle-focused expansion, "Penumbra: Requiem." Can you guide Philip through his fears and uncover the truth?

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,334 reviews
story223 positive mentions
stability11 negative mentions
  • The puzzles are well-designed and provide a good challenge without being overly frustrating.
  • The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, creating a sense of dread and tension throughout the game.
  • The story is engaging and provides satisfying answers to questions raised in the first game.
  • The removal of combat can make encounters with enemies feel less threatening and more like an annoyance.
  • Some puzzles can be unintuitive, leading to frustration and the need for walkthroughs.
  • The character Clarence can detract from the horror atmosphere with his comedic dialogue.
  • story610 mentions

    The story of "Penumbra: Black Plague" is widely regarded as a significant improvement over its predecessor, "Penumbra: Overture," offering a more cohesive and engaging narrative that delves deeper into the protagonist Philip's journey and the mysteries surrounding his father's disappearance. Players appreciate the atmospheric storytelling, character development, and the integration of puzzles that enhance the plot, although some critiques mention disjointed elements and unresolved plot threads. Overall, the game is praised for its compelling Lovecraftian themes and immersive experience, making it a must-play for fans of horror narratives.

    • “This was beyond amazing, the story was captivating and it really blended in with the first episode.”
    • “Although the game is old, its story keeps the aura of bewilderment intact for those who enjoy a strange adventure into the unknown.”
    • “The story is surprisingly compelling too, with a brilliantly paced mystery unfolding as you make your way through this freezing hell, accompanied on the radio by a decently written madman who's been trapped a lot longer than you.”
    • “The story still makes zero sense.”
    • “Black Plague offers a weak, confusing story and feels overall inferior to Overture.”
    • “The story takes a weird nosedive by introducing some characters the game could have done without.”
  • atmosphere222 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Penumbra: Black Plague" is widely praised for its chilling and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the horror experience through clever sound design, dim lighting, and a sense of isolation. While some players noted that the removal of combat elements deepened the tension, others felt that certain character interactions detracted from the overall mood. Overall, the game successfully creates a haunting environment that captivates players, making it a standout in the horror genre.

    • “The atmosphere is incredible and the story is pure awesomeness.”
    • “The atmosphere continues to be dark and creepy, with the addition of some new surprises that surface throughout.”
    • “The atmosphere is chilling, the soundtrack is excellent, and the story is pretty interesting.”
    • “The atmosphere is pretty alright, but you definitely don't get that same sense of history like in the original; less mines with history and more labs/organizations with their own history.”
    • “The atmosphere is pretty much gone here and, while still occasionally eerie, it's not nearly as terrifying as the original two games.”
    • “The tone is a horrible mismatch, and the atmosphere suffers as a result.”
  • gameplay177 mentions

    The gameplay in "Penumbra: Black Plague" is largely a continuation of its predecessor, "Overture," with a focus on stealth and puzzle-solving rather than combat, which many players found to enhance the overall tension and immersion. While some reviewers noted that the mechanics can feel clunky and the puzzles occasionally frustrating, the removal of combat elements has been praised for creating a more engaging horror experience. Overall, the game is recognized for its atmospheric setting, solid physics-based interactions, and improved narrative integration, making it a compelling choice for fans of the genre.

    • “With its atmospheric setting, immersive gameplay, and engaging storyline, Penumbra: Black Plague offers a truly captivating experience for fans of the horror genre.”
    • “The physics-based interactions, such as manipulating objects and opening doors, add a layer of realism to the gameplay.”
    • “Penumbra: Black Plague removes all of the cumbersome, clunky combat from the original game and instead replaces it with more stealth-based gameplay.”
    • “However, in the gameplay, being stealthy survival in the first instance, our character is defenseless to any peril.”
    • “Worse than the first game gameplay-wise but quite a bit better with story.”
    • “The gameplay remains crude with clumsy control over drawers, doors, and other objects.”
  • graphics114 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are dated and not cutting-edge by today's standards, they effectively contribute to the game's grim atmosphere and immersive experience. Some reviewers appreciated the improvements in graphical quality and variety compared to its predecessor, "Overture," while others pointed out persistent graphical glitches and a lack of polish. Overall, the visuals are considered decent for their time, enhancing the horror elements despite their age.

    • “The game is a bit shorter than Overture, but what it achieves in terms of visuals, immersion, and narrative is a massive step up from the previous entry.”
    • “The lighting in this is great, the graphics are amazing for its time, gameplay is very smooth, and the mechanics are exceptional.”
    • “Graphics are pretty bad.”
    • “The graphics, while not cutting-edge by today's standards, effectively convey the grim atmosphere and gritty textures of the underground facility.”
    • “The graphics are really dated at this point, but it didn't stop the scares coming thick and fast.”
  • music52 mentions

    The music in the game has been widely praised for its atmospheric and chilling qualities, effectively enhancing the horror experience with ambient pieces reminiscent of classic 80s and 90s horror films. Composed by Mikko Tarmia, the soundtrack is noted for its ability to evoke tension and foreboding, although some players expressed a desire for adjustable volume levels to avoid confusion during gameplay. Overall, the sound design, including voice acting and sound effects, complements the immersive atmosphere, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “Without glossing over the soundtrack composed by Mikko Tarmia, it strives to evoke the proper vibe of out-of-this-world strangeness with ambient pieces that recall the heyday of horror films from the 80s and 90s.”
    • “The ambient sounds, combined with the minimalistic musical score, effectively contribute to the overall sense of foreboding, ensuring players are always on edge.”
    • “The atmosphere is chilling, the soundtrack is excellent, and the story is pretty interesting.”
    • “Penumbra's sinister soundtrack and gripping plot mean nothing when a funny voice has to comment every freakin event.”
    • “Soundscape and music are solidly forgettable and don't make you feel immersed even in a dark room with headphones.”
    • “An interesting story with quite a few scares, don't let the dated graphics and repetitive music stop you from playing this game.”
  • humor33 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mix of dark and quirky, primarily delivered through the character Clarence, whose twisted jokes provide comic relief without undermining the horror atmosphere. While some players appreciate the clever and creepy dialogue, others find it overly cheesy or distracting, leading to mixed feelings about its integration into the gameplay. Overall, the humor adds a unique layer to the experience, enhancing the narrative while maintaining a sense of dread.

    • “There are some dialogues which are at the same time funny and creepy, with some brilliant twists; I really loved them!”
    • “He will provide the best comments whenever you perform a key action; that vitriolic humor is comic relief done right, which means it does not put at risk the horror experience.”
    • “Black Plague is superior to its predecessor, Overture, in that it has a more intriguing plot, a creepier atmosphere, better thought out puzzles, and a dark sense of humor that enriches the game.”
    • “I guess his comments are supposed to be funny.”
    • “The jokes fell flat and felt forced.”
    • “I didn't find any of the humor relatable or clever.”
  • emotional17 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heart-wrenching writing and improved dialogue, which evoke a range of feelings from fear to sadness. While some puzzles can be frustrating and illogical, the narrative delivers memorable moments that resonate deeply, culminating in a compelling final act that leaves a lasting impact. Overall, players report a mix of intense emotions, including laughter and tears, making the experience both captivating and unsettling.

    • “This is peak Penumbra; the writing is heart-wrenching, puzzles are consistent (they have the formula down), and the vibe is more sinister than before.”
    • “Locations are more varied, the writing and dialogue are improved, and there are a lot more memorable story moments that made me feel scared, sad, and intrigued.”
    • “This is taken to heart-wrenching extremes during the story’s final act.”
  • stability13 mentions

    Overall, the stability of the game is generally solid, with most players reporting minimal crashes and fewer glitches compared to previous titles. While some users noted occasional graphical issues and minor bugs, these do not significantly detract from the gameplay experience. The game runs well on modern systems, though older hardware may encounter more frequent glitches.

    • “Almost no glitches that I've found.”
    • “Runs great on Windows 10 (64-bit), in ultrawide resolution (2560 x 1080).”
    • “Although, there are still a lot of issues with this game when it comes to graphical glitches and illogical gameplay.”
    • “Glitches are numerous requiring restart from last save.”
    • “Its not without glitches but far less this time around.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Reviews highlight that while "Penumbra: Black Plague" improves upon its predecessor by reducing tedious combat and backtracking, some puzzles remain frustratingly tedious, particularly those involving object manipulation. Players noted that certain tasks, like moving or positioning objects, can feel overly complicated and repetitive, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game is generally seen as more engaging than "Penumbra: Overture."

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's not even difficult, it's just extremely tedious.”
    • “Some sections seemed to be added just to worsen the game: a freezing outdoor segment that drains your health when away from fire, and a tedious computer puzzle involving the sorting of programs into circuit boards.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    The game's replayability is mixed; while some players note a lack of replay value, others mention that various gameplay options and collectibles can enhance the experience, encouraging multiple playthroughs. Overall, the length of a single playthrough is perceived as shorter, which may affect the desire to replay.

    • “The game offers infinite replayability, keeping players engaged for hours.”
    • “There are many options that enhance the game's replay value in the gameplay department.”
    • “The length of a single playthrough is somewhat shorter than the first one, and there are collectibles that promote replayability.”
    • “☑ no replay value”
    • “The length of a single playthrough is somewhat shorter than the first one (well, it felt that way to me at least) and there are collectibles that may potentially promote some replayability value for Black Plague.”
    • “There are many options which give the game a bit more replay value in the gameplay department.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The optimization of the game is highlighted by the exceptional quality of the voice acting, which features convincing performances that significantly enhance immersion and bring the characters to life.

  • character development1 mentions

    Players find that the plot twists and character development are compelling, maintaining engagement and culminating in a satisfying conclusion.

    • “The plot twists and character development keep players engaged throughout, leading to a satisfying conclusion.”
    • “The depth of each character's backstory adds layers to the narrative, making their growth feel authentic and impactful.”
    • “Witnessing the characters evolve based on player choices creates a unique and personal experience that enhances the overall gameplay.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Play time

6hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
3-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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