The Black Heart

About

"The Black Heart" is a horror fighting game, reminiscent of classics like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, now updated with modern visual and audio improvements. In a parallel dimension, six creatures seek a powerful black heart, ripped from a murdered king, for their own malicious purposes. With pixelated blood, fluid gameplay, tragic music, and a complex story, enjoy local multi-player versus mode or single-player in this 2D fighting game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 206 reviews

story12 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

The game features solid controls and a fun combat system, making it easy to pick up and play.
The horror-themed aesthetic is unique and well-executed, with interesting character designs and a captivating story.
There are unlockable characters and a variety of special moves, adding depth and replayability to the gameplay.

The game lacks online multiplayer, which limits its competitive potential and replay value.
The character roster is relatively small, with only a few new additions compared to the original MUGEN version.
Some players find the final boss fight to be frustratingly difficult and not well-balanced.

story
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
63%
8%
The game's story is engaging and features a full overarching narrative with unique character backstories, complemented by a horror-inspired art style that some find charming. While the campaign includes enjoyable cutscenes and battles, the final boss is noted as tedious rather than challenging, and the overall depth of the story is considered limited. Despite these critiques, the presentation and atmosphere are praised, making it a standout experience among similar titles.
- “The story mode was fun enough for me, more so than maybe any fighting game story mode I've played before. It had some genuinely pretty horrific artwork.”
- “The story, while very simple in scope, was fun to follow and very rewarding to get through.”
- “Much respect for this game, as even today the horror-inspired art style and story is a standout among its contemporaries.”
- “Only complaint regarding the story is the ending but I won't spoil anything.”
- “Overall the story is enough to give each character their own backstory/motives but isn't the deepest.”
- “Only real problem I had was the main boss of the story mode.”
graphics
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
50%
8%
The game's graphics are characterized by a unique horror aesthetic that blends cuteness with a chilling atmosphere, making it stand out among fighting games. While some reviewers noted the art style as "rough," many appreciated its immersive quality and the strong personality conveyed through character designs. Overall, the visuals, combined with the engaging story mode, contribute significantly to the game's charm and appeal, particularly for fans of the horror genre.
- “Great fighting game with unique pixel graphics and aesthetic.”
- “The style and tone set by the visuals is amazing and immersive; they're easily my favorite part of the game.”
- “Much respect for this game, as even today the horror-inspired art style and story is a standout among its contemporaries.”
- “So firstly, I just have to say right off... the art style of this game is rough.”
- “Additionally, while the art style is, as I've already stated, very rough... the general horror aesthetic appeals to me very much and helps in my being able to more or less overlook my issues with the art style.”
- “Furthermore, his attacks stylistically are lacking a bit compared to the other characters in terms of the 'horror' aesthetic as whilst all his attacks are plant-themed, I'd like to see one or two attacks modified a bit.”
music
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
30%
10%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its quality, variety, and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. The remastered soundtrack and unique character themes contribute to a rich auditory experience that complements the gameplay. While some players miss the eerie ambiance of previous versions, the new tracks are generally considered a significant improvement, making the game feel vibrant and engaging.
- “We get this truly amazing indie MK homage fighting game with a great soundtrack.”
- “And the music is absolutely frigging awesome.”
- “No songs are bad and there's decent variety in execution without that particularly much standing out.”
- “Characters, music, ambiance, and backgrounds are all very solid, and the special moves are creative and creepy in a good way.”
- “The story and presentation are top-notch, as is the music and sound design.”
gameplay
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
46%
13%
The gameplay of "The Black Heart" is praised for its solid mechanics and fluidity, making it accessible yet engaging for both horror and fighting game fans. While it may not meet modern standards of complexity, it offers a fun experience with imaginative characters and a compelling narrative, reflecting the developer's passion for the genre. The game features a high difficulty level and traditional fighting game elements, appealing to those who appreciate its old-school horror aesthetic.
- “The actual gameplay is clearly where all of the focus went into during development.”
- “If you're fine with the old-school horror-themed artistic vision, you'll find a great experience backed with solid fundamental gameplay and some genuinely fun characters with just the right amount of narrative.”
- “A beautiful little passion project, gameplay feels tight, decently easy to pick up and play.”
- “Only 7 would be tournament legal, and one of those is an underpowered gag character. It has solid mechanics and some basic inputs for the special attacks, so this isn't for journalists that are allergic to sliding their thumbs for basic inputs.”
- “"The Black Heart" feels like the passion project of an edgy teenager that loves the genre and wants to make his own legacy entry, adding all trustworthy mechanics like special meters, finishers, and the usual attack inputs, while introducing campy but still imaginative characters and lore.”
- “That is my biggest complaint when it comes to the core gameplay.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever attack designs, particularly the amusing fruit-throwing mechanics, which add a lighthearted touch. However, some players feel that the overall comedic tone could be enhanced by diversifying the attack styles to better match the horror aesthetic, as certain characters deliver a more consistent blend of humor and edge. Overall, the humor is appreciated, but there is room for improvement in balancing it with the game's thematic elements.
- “9/10 funny fatals”
- “It's funny having two different attacks for fruit throwing.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its fantastic horror elements, which enhance the overall gameplay experience. Despite some bugs and the game being unfinished, reviewers highlight its incredible story and design as key components of its immersive atmosphere.
- “Absolutely fantastic for the horror atmosphere and a nice complement to the gameplay.”
- “The game isn't fully ready yet and has some bugs, but it has incredible story, atmosphere, and design.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect in the game is generally viewed as tedious, particularly during the final boss encounter, which detracts from an otherwise enjoyable story mode. While the narrative and artwork are praised, the repetitive nature of the final challenge can diminish the overall experience.
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's simplistic visuals effectively convey distinct character designs, allowing for a strong sense of personality for each character. This approach enhances the overall character development, making them memorable despite the minimalistic art style.
- “The game's visuals are super simplistic, but portray the character designs well enough to give a strong sense of personality to each.”