Shades of Black

About

"Shades of Black" is a narrative-driven game following Carol, a writer turned detective, as she searches for a missing author with a dark past. After receivingrejections for her book, Carol is hired by a publisher to locate the author, whose wife was murdered six years ago and is now tied to a recent murder. As Carol investigates, she uncovers secrets and confronts challenges that will test her determination and morality.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews

story6 positive mentions

The game features beautiful, photo-realistic environments that create an immersive experience.
It offers a variety of challenging puzzles that keep players engaged and entertained.
The storyline is intriguing with unexpected twists, making it enjoyable for fans of mystery games.

Some players found the adult themes and voyeuristic elements to be uncomfortable and invasive.
The game can feel shorter and less complex compared to previous titles in the series.
There are instances of pixel hunting and unclear directions on what to do next, which can frustrate players.

story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The game's story is praised for its intriguing and mysterious elements, engaging players with a variety of puzzles and clues. While some reviewers noted a cliché conclusion, the narrative is generally described as captivating with a rapid pace that keeps players invested. Overall, it offers a compelling experience for fans of point-and-click adventure games, with each installment standing alone in its storytelling.
- “This game is absolutely well worth playing; it's so full of mystery and certainly had me stumped many times, which I love. The different types of puzzles and clues along the way, combined with a great story, make it a fantastic experience.”
- “The storyline is intriguing, and the conclusion was a complete surprise (no spoilers here...go play it!).”
- “The adult theme worked with the plot and wasn't overly done.”
- “The story concluded pretty cliché in the end.”
- “Besides, the achievements added aren't tied to the story but to actions you may do or not.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and enjoyable puzzles that provide a fun challenge without being overly difficult, complemented by great scenery. However, some players note that it lacks innovation, as it closely resembles the gameplay mechanics of its predecessor, Bosch's Damnation. Overall, the game offers a lengthy experience that balances casual play with engaging elements.
- “Simple gameplay, great scenery, puzzles that won't crack too many brain cells but are fun when you solve them.”
- “Lengthy gameplay.”
- “As the gameplay didn't change from Bosch's Damnation, the previous game and the first one to be on Steam, here's part of my Steam review for this one.”
- “The gameplay feels overly lengthy and drawn out.”
- “Since the gameplay didn't change from Bosch's Damnation, it feels stale and repetitive.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The graphics are praised for their immersive and colorful realism, featuring stunning photographic stills that enhance the visual experience. The artwork is highlighted as exceptional, contributing to the overall appeal of the game.
- “These locations present immersive and colorful first-person realistic photographic stills.”
- “The Carol Reed games are wonderful point-and-click adventure games with an easy story, stunning visuals, and fun puzzles.”
- “There is some great artwork in this game.”
- “The graphics are outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
- “Character models look flat and lifeless, making it hard to connect with the story.”
- “The environments feel bland and uninspired, lacking the vibrant visuals that draw players in.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is characterized by a relaxing soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, complemented by engaging voice acting that adds depth to the audio landscape.
- “The soundtrack is, as usual, a good one, and the voice acting is really interesting.”
- “Relaxing soundtrack.”