Survive the Blackout
- February 6, 2020
- Baby Bison Games
- 20h median play time
Get on Steam"Survive the Blackout" is a first-person survival game set in a post-apocalyptic world plunged into darkness. Scavenge for resources, craft tools, and fortify your shelter to withstand the dangers of the night. Manage your health, hunger, and sanity while navigating a dynamic world filled with hostile enemies and uncertain alliances. Your survival depends on your wits, adaptability, and the choices you make in this unforgiving environment.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features an interesting concept with a unique post-apocalyptic setting that encourages players to think about moral choices.
- The graphics and atmosphere are well-received, providing a nostalgic indie vibe that many players enjoy.
- There is a good level of replayability due to random events and different character interactions, which can lead to varied outcomes in each playthrough.
- The narrative is often criticized for being dull and lacking emotional impact, with many choices leading to the same outcomes.
- Gameplay can feel tedious and repetitive, with a lack of meaningful resource management and an over-reliance on RNG, making it frustrating for players.
- The game suffers from poor translation and grammar issues, which detracts from the overall experience and immersion.
- story27 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it dull, poorly written, and lacking in engaging characters and plot development. While some appreciate the intriguing post-apocalyptic concept and replayability, the broken English and cryptic dialogue detract significantly from the overall experience, making it difficult for players to connect with the narrative. Overall, the game struggles with storytelling, leaving players frustrated by its repetitive nature and lack of meaningful choices.
“It truly leaves you curious about the reasons behind the blackout, and motivates you to push onwards, deeper into the story.”
“Putting this one aside, it is a solid post-apocalyptic story and a game with cool replayability values.”
“Nevertheless, 'Survive the Blackout' is a well-executed game with an intriguing story, grim atmosphere, and tough moral choices.”
“Although the story is written, the English language version leaves a lot to be desired; it's sometimes written in broken English and needs to be rewritten, although you can generally understand what they're trying to convey.”
“Boring characters and story, tedious gameplay, and for a game that's 99% reading; the grammar would make a middle-school teacher cry.”
“The main story is also full of stale breadcrumbs and an uninteresting plot.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews are mixed, with some players finding it tedious and simplistic, while others appreciate its engrossing nature and decision-making elements. The roguelike structure offers varied encounters, but the reliance on repetition and a lack of engaging story detracts from the overall experience. Despite its flaws, some users believe it can still be enjoyable, especially at a low price point.
“Gameplay is simple, but engrossing enough.”
“The game goes for roguelike gameplay, where you start off each run with a random crew, go through random encounters, and if you die it's back to the beginning with all progress reset.”
“In FTL, you can have two completely different playthroughs with entirely different encounters, and even if some of the encounters are repeated, its reliance on combat keeps the gameplay fresh since enemies will typically have variations and the combat itself is more dynamic.”
“Boring characters and story, tedious gameplay, and for a game that's 99% reading; the grammar would make a middle-school teacher cry.”
“Since the experience is so story-driven, and because of the way that the gameplay is currently structured, taking into account the amount of repetition currently present, the only way forward that I can realistically see is to ditch the roguelike model almost entirely.”
“80s called, they want their game mechanics back.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics have received a positive reception, with many players appreciating the retro pixel art style that complements the game's atmosphere and storytelling. While some note the simplicity of the graphics, they argue that the overall aesthetic enhances the game's themes and experience, making it competitive with higher-budget titles. Overall, the graphics are seen as a strong point, contributing to the game's charm and immersion.
“The setting is interesting, and the graphics only help to emphasize how stark and crude the world has become.”
“I love the style of the graphics and I will keep an eye on this studio's future releases.”
“The story is mainly told through text, combined with well-made pixel graphics.”
“If they got some good mechanics or an interesting story then they can be just as good as a lot of other survival games with better graphics.”
“Yes, it's quite simple in terms of gameplay and graphics, but I think it's worth a shot for $10.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its excellent execution, featuring a fitting soundtrack that enhances a sense of hopelessness and grimness. Players appreciate the chilling ambiance and the moral complexities presented, which contribute to an immersive experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout element that significantly elevates the gameplay.
“Much improved game, now recommend, excellent atmosphere.”
“The atmospheric soundtrack is fitting; it creates a feeling of hopelessness.”
“Nevertheless, Survive the Blackout is a well-executed game with an intriguing story, grim atmosphere, and tough moral choices.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers solid replayability due to its varied character choices and random story elements, making each playthrough feel unique. However, some users note that the replay value may be limited for those seeking more depth.
“All in all, if you want a simple, replayable point-and-click survivor game, this is pretty good for the cost.”
“The game has great replay value because with different characters in your group you get new dialogue options and choices.”
“So the replayability is rather low.”
“Replay value is also real; after you fail the first time, the next story will be totally random again.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its fitting atmospheric qualities that enhance the overall experience. While some describe it as average or "okay-ish," the sound effects are noted to be plentiful and contribute positively to the game's ambiance.
“I don't mind the retro graphics, and the music fits the genre.”
“Sounds and music are good.”
“The atmospheric soundtrack is fitting; it creates a feeling of hopelessness.”
“Average plus, music is kind of okay-ish, sound effects are quite a few.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with a lack of engaging characters and story. The overwhelming amount of reading, coupled with poor grammar, detracts from the experience, while the limited randomized events lead to quick memorization and further monotony. Overall, the grinding feels more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge.
“Boring characters and story, tedious gameplay, and for a game that's 99% reading; the grammar would make a middle-school teacher cry.”
“The small amount of randomized events makes you quickly memorize them, and it becomes tedious.”
“It's kind of tedious.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is criticized for its broken English and boring story, leading to a lack of engagement and overall impact. Players express disappointment, feeling that the experience was not worth their investment.
“The emotional depth of the story was lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“I felt no attachment to the storyline; it was predictable and uninspiring.”
“The game tried to evoke emotions but ended up feeling flat and unengaging.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised, with users finding it genuinely funny and enjoyable.
