The Blackout Club

About

The Blackout Club is a single player and multiplayer survival role playing game with a horror theme. It was developed by Question and was released on July 29, 2019. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"The Blackout Club" is a first-person, cooperative horror game where players uncover a dark conspiracy in a small town. As a member of the club, you'll explore near-empty streets, sneak into houses, and investigate strange happenings. Working together, you'll use advanced stealth techniques, customizable tools, and collective luminosity to overcome the simulated "Blackouts" and expose the truth. Your choices and actions will affect the club's efforts and the outcome of the game's ongoing story.

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77%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,108 reviews

story193 positive mentions

grinding40 negative mentions

The game features smooth gameplay, great atmosphere, and impressive graphics and sound, making it an enjoyable experience.
The co-op aspect enhances the fun, allowing players to strategize and work together to complete objectives.
The lore and story elements are intriguing, with a unique mechanic that allows for player interaction with the developers through the Enhanced Horror system.

The game feels repetitive and grindy, with limited mission variety and a lack of substantial updates since its release.
The Enhanced Horror feature, which was a major selling point, is no longer active, leaving players without the engaging narrative experiences it once provided.
The player base is sparse, making it difficult to find matches, and the game can feel empty without a community to support it.

story
1,159 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
75%
8%
The story of "The Blackout Club" is intriguing and rich with potential, primarily conveyed through a unique community-driven narrative where players interact with developers and uncover lore through missions and events. However, many players feel that the story lacks depth and progression after the initial prologue, as the gameplay becomes repetitive with limited mission types and a reliance on grinding for experience. While the game's atmosphere and initial premise are compelling, the conclusion of the live storytelling aspect has left some players feeling disconnected from the narrative, leading to a sense of an unfinished experience.
- “The story is very intriguing, the gameplay is fun, and the models are goofy; it's great.”
- “The blackout club was done in part to tell a story that players could be a part of, and that story is now concluded.”
- “The storytelling was fantastic, the gameplay is solid, and the atmosphere and vibe are absolutely perfect.”
- “The story is 'completed' and the devs have moved on, and what is left just isn't enough to really keep the fires burning.”
- “The problem was at no point did we ever get any piece of the story or interact with anyone that controlled the story.”
- “The game features no proper level design or game/story flow/plot (after such a promising tutorial level), as they opted to try to use samey repetitive procedural generation algorithms as a substitute for adding such content to the game, to avoid doing the important job of level/map design, plot, and storytelling.”
gameplay
525 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
57%
9%
The gameplay of "The Blackout Club" is characterized by its unique blend of stealth mechanics, cooperative play, and horror elements, with players navigating through missions while avoiding detection from various enemies. While the game features innovative mechanics like the "eyes closed" system and a variety of gadgets, many players find the gameplay loop becomes repetitive and lacks depth over time, especially as the missions often feel similar. Despite these criticisms, the game is generally regarded as more enjoyable when played with friends, offering a fun and atmospheric experience, albeit with some unpolished mechanics and a need for more content updates.
- “The gameplay is fun and unique, and is mainly stealth-based with a focus on using gadgets to navigate several maps and completing objectives to clear missions.”
- “With a fresh premise and clever mechanics—like the tense blinking mechanic and the eerie interplay between the town and underground zones—it offered something genuinely different when it launched.”
- “The gameplay is smooth and exciting, and the multiplayer is 10/10.”
- “The gameplay is extremely repetitive and boring, and not in a good way; it's an utter waste of time and money—don't even get it on sale.”
- “The gameplay is dull and doesn't offer much substance aside from a few game-specific mechanics and roles.”
- “Gameplay gets repetitive and boring after the first few missions, and progression is too slow.”
atmosphere
123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
37%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and creepy qualities, effectively blending tension, mystery, and a sense of dread that enhances the overall experience. Many players appreciate the game's visual and audio design, which contributes to a haunting ambiance, although some critiques mention that the atmosphere can feel diminished during repetitive gameplay or when played solo. Overall, the game's atmospheric elements are considered its strongest feature, making it a compelling choice for fans of horror and cooperative gameplay.
- “The atmosphere is amazing too, the game plays a lot with the eldritch fear of the unknown, with sleep and sound being the main themes.”
- “The game’s blend of suspense, teamwork, and mystery creates a gripping experience, perfect for those who enjoy a good scare and working together in a dark, atmospheric setting.”
- “The atmosphere is the game's true triumph, skillfully marrying tension and intrigue.”
- “The gameplay loop is boring and repetitive; the co-op aspect is unimportant, and the atmosphere is non-existent.”
- “Interesting concepts that weren't fully realized suffer from a cheap-feeling atmosphere, map, and models.”
- “The atmosphere during the missions was not scary; it was more annoying and got boring really fast - nothing like the spooky feeling during the prologue.”
graphics
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
46%
5%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the unique art style, atmospheric visuals, and smooth performance, while others point out minor glitches and a need for improvement in character models and animations. Some players find the graphics stunning and immersive, contributing significantly to the overall experience, while others feel they fall short of expectations, particularly in comparison to more polished titles. Overall, the game is noted for its charming aesthetic and solid visual presentation, despite some inconsistencies.
- “A beautifully made game, amazing graphics, and fun gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is smooth as ice, the graphics are wonderful and the new enemies as you level up keep you on your toes while still allowing for minor mistakes to be corrected or just avoided.”
- “This game outstands with its beautiful graphics, its unique and fun gaming mechanism, and its story.”
- “The visual of the game is outdated for 2019; the graphics and crooked animations will scare many players away.”
- “Graphics - it's the ugliest thing I have seen in years, a real shoddy looking mess heap; everything is a fuzzy dark blur, they make use of heavy light bloom and filters to hide the ugliness of it all.”
- “Graphics leave much to be desired when it comes to the actual player characters.”
grinding
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, leading to a lackluster experience. While some appreciate the co-op gameplay and the potential for fun with friends, the slow leveling system and monotonous missions can make the grind feel unfulfilling and frustrating. Overall, the game may appeal to those who enjoy grinding and stealth mechanics, but it risks alienating players who prefer a more dynamic and rewarding experience.
- “The game feels way too grindy for my taste and the repetitive nature of gameplay makes for a lackluster experience.”
- “This game is really grindy for little to no payoff.”
- “But, with the lack of a main story path, painfully repetitive levels, and a torturously grindy progression system, the game feels unbalanced, unpolished, and immensely unrewarding.”
stability
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
93%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting it as a "buggy mess" prone to crashes, glitches, and frustrating AI behavior. While some enjoy the gameplay despite these issues, many feel that the game feels incomplete and unpolished, with a mix of graphical glitches and performance problems that detract from the overall experience. Active developer engagement in the community suggests a commitment to improvement, but the current state may deter new players.
- “The graphics look good, it runs smoothly and is pretty bug-free.”
- “The gameplay is unique, the enemies are challenging, and I've noticed little to no glitches or bugs so far.”
- “After all, the game is a buggy mess.”
- “A buggy mess that is prone to crashing.”
- “This game might be worth something if they iron out their glitches and fix the issues; otherwise, it's not worth it.”
humor
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending thrilling gameplay with comedic moments that keep players laughing, especially during co-op sessions. Players appreciate the cheeky humor, funny mechanics, and unexpected situations that arise, creating a unique atmosphere that balances tension with hilarity. While some moments can be genuinely scary, the overall experience is filled with lighthearted fun, making it enjoyable for friends looking to share both laughs and thrills.
- “Without sharing too many spoilers, it uniquely combines video gaming with live theater to flesh out the world in ways that range from hilarious to heartbreaking and horrifying.”
- “Genuinely scary, fun gameplay, makes for lots of funny/spooky moments with friends, really in-depth and interesting lore - so much lore that makes a genuine impact on the game, and the community affects the lore.”
- “Some parts of the game are humorous, such as grappling a sleeper off a roof onto the ground by accident, a teammate running too far and falling off a cliff, little things that among the chaos are actually enjoyable and add to the game.”
replayability
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
44%
13%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its engaging mechanics, mission variety, and randomized elements that enhance replay value. However, others note that it can become repetitive over time, especially without new content or updates. Overall, while many find it enjoyable and worth revisiting, there are concerns about its long-term replayability.
- “This innovation ensures that the game remains engaging and replayable, encouraging players to return night after night to uncover the mysteries that shroud Redacre.”
- “A lot of clever surprises and a great amount of replayability.”
- “The missions and stuff going on are randomized, so there's a lot of replayability due to the variations, on top of a lot of content slowly introduced to you as you level up.”
- “But unfortunately, they left behind a game without much replay value to keep your attention going, and as it stands, I recommend saving your money and picking something else up.”
- “I enjoyed it for what it was on its decent replayability, but it will eventually get pretty repetitive without new updates and content.”
- “We all played it together and found that there is a massive lack in gameplay and replayability.”
music
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
47%
20%
The music in the game is described as ambient and atmospheric, effectively enhancing the overall experience, though some players found it lacking in distinctiveness. While the background music contributes to the spooky ambiance and suspense, the voice acting and sound design are highlighted as exceptional, adding depth to the gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack and sound elements are praised for their role in creating an engaging and immersive environment, despite some mixed feelings about specific musical moments.
- “The background music adds to the atmosphere well and was my favorite aspect.”
- “The voice acting and music are incredible for establishing the appropriate ambiance, and the voice lines and slow revelations of nefarious ongoing that certain missions uncover keep me consistently interested.”
- “The game has grind, progression, items, clothing, and an amazing soundtrack and level design, atmosphere using Unreal Engine 4.”
- “Just don't let Speak-as-One coerce you into the song, because I couldn't hear the song and they didn't answer my question about what kind of music it was.”
- “All the cake has been eaten, the songs have been sung, and I'm on the dance floor by myself, bitter because I missed out on something truly special.”
- “It is your job, with the help of the club and the god-like voices, to expose what's going on to the wider world and put a stop to the music-obsessed beings running things at night.”
optimization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
42%
33%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing performance issues and bugs, while others find it surprisingly playable and smooth on lower-end systems. Many users express disappointment in the lack of optimization efforts, describing the game as clunky and poorly designed, particularly in solo play. However, some players appreciate its early access polish and beautiful graphics, indicating potential for improvement in future updates.
- “I have a really bad computer and it runs smoothly.”
- “Don't mind the beta, optimization is really good.”
- “For an early access game, I think the game is very well polished, beautiful graphics, runs smoothly, and tons of fun.”
- “Unfortunately, in my opinion, the game was ruined by three things - the price of $30, lack of advertising, and not very good performance, both in terms of technical quality and game design. The amount of grind to get some cosmetics is as depressing as the fact that to try out another build you need to reset the whole experience of your character and level him again from scratch. The game is clearly focused on having 2-4 players, and playing solo brings less rewards despite being a little harder due to the high price of error - you only have one life, while in multiplayer there are four players with three lives each.”
- “The game also seems to have almost no work in optimization at all; it feels clunky and terrible overall.”
- “I currently don't recommend this game, purely because it is not optimized well enough. There are quite a few bugs, and there are some mechanics I don't like, as well as some mechanics I would like to see.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
70%
The game's monetization model is primarily focused on cosmetic in-game purchases, with no microtransactions or additional currency sales, which some players appreciate. However, the $30 price tag has been criticized as steep for an indie title, especially given the limited content available without joining the game's Discord. Overall, while the game avoids aggressive monetization tactics, its pricing and lack of advertising may hinder its success.
- “In-game purchases are strictly cosmetic.”
- “There are no in-game purchases of this currency.”
- “Also, no microtransactions!”
- “Unfortunately, in my opinion, the game was ruined by three things - the price of $30 (not all will agree to buy a questionable indie product for half the price of a AAA game), lack of advertising (seriously, even on the release online was extremely small), and not very good performance, both in terms of technical quality and game design. The amount of grind to get some cosmetics is as depressing as the fact that to try out another build you need to reset the whole experience of your character and level him again from scratch. The game is clearly focused on having 2-4 players, and playing solo brings less rewards despite the fact that playing solo is a little harder because of the high price of error - you only have one life? In multiplayer, there are 4 players with 3 lives each.”
- “The game had decently big YouTubers advertising it for free, getting it pretty good traction to start off with.”
- “And this isn’t a cash grab by some AAA studio, upselling you for $100+ collectors edition pre-orders only to be disappointed in receiving some half-ass manufactured helmet shipped in a cheap nylon bag.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its unique blend of video gaming and live theater, creating experiences that can be both heartwarming and deeply unsettling. While the procedural storytelling offers innovative narratives, it sometimes sacrifices emotional depth, leading to disjointed experiences. Overall, players report a wide range of emotions, from joy to trauma, particularly in response to impactful character moments.
- “Without sharing too many spoilers, it uniquely combines video gaming with live theater to flesh out the world in ways that range from hilarious to heartbreaking and horrifying.”
- “It made me feel genuinely uneasy and disturbed.”
- “10/10 would become emotionally traumatized again by the death of the voice I followed.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game has received criticism for its poor character designs and limited customization options, which some attribute to a lack of player engagement. Additionally, players note that significant grinding is required to level up classes, further detracting from the overall experience.
- “The character designs need some work, but that's because the developers didn't bother to update them due to a lack of players and public attention.”
- “Character designs are really bad, and customization options are not good.”
- “You honestly need to grind a lot in order to level up your classes, and I find the character design a bit creepy.”

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72%Critics’ scoreBased on 15 critic reviews

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8h Median play time

27h Average play time

5-28h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 20 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Blackout Club is a survival role playing game with horror theme.

The Blackout Club is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and others.

On average players spend around 27 hours playing The Blackout Club.

The Blackout Club was released on July 29, 2019.

The Blackout Club was developed by Question.

The Blackout Club has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

The Blackout Club is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Labyrinthine, Demonologist, Book of Travels, Second Extinction, Remnant Records and others.

The Blackout Club

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