The Blackout Club

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,065 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • atmosphere
The Blackout Club Game Cover
The Blackout Club is a solid cooperative stealth game with a splash of horror.
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"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.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,065 reviews
story188 positive mentions
grinding38 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique blend of cooperative gameplay and horror elements, making it a fun experience with friends.
  • The atmosphere and graphics are well-crafted, creating an eerie and immersive environment.
  • The Enhanced Horror feature allows for live interactions with the developers, adding a unique storytelling element to the game.
  • The game has become repetitive, with limited mission types and a lack of significant updates since its release.
  • The player base is sparse, making it difficult to find matches or engage in multiplayer gameplay.
  • The story feels incomplete, with many players feeling unsatisfied due to the lack of a clear narrative progression.
  • story1,147 mentions

    The story of "The Blackout Club" is a unique blend of horror and community-driven narrative, primarily conveyed through a prologue and player interactions, with much of the lore discovered via community engagement and live events. While the initial premise and atmosphere are compelling, many players find the storytelling disjointed and lacking depth, as the game relies heavily on repetitive missions that often feel disconnected from a cohesive plot. Despite its intriguing setup, the game has been criticized for its limited mission variety and the absence of a satisfying conclusion, leaving players wanting more substantial narrative progression.

    • “The storytelling was fantastic, the gameplay is solid and the atmosphere and vibe are absolutely perfect.”
    • “So much lore and beautiful story to sift through, even after everything has ended is something that this game has which everyone adores, even late players.”
    • “The blackout club's story is told to you in a very unique way, instead of it being told to you in a cliché way the game makes the player try and figure out the lore themselves.”
    • “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.”
    • “The introduction was really interesting but the game is a letdown after you realize there's no engagement whatsoever with the story they initially set up.”
    • “The only gameplay story content is a 30-minute prologue and then, if you grind your character to level 20 (which may take dozens of hours or perhaps longer), you sacrifice that character and get a final 30-minute ending mission.”
  • gameplay517 mentions

    The gameplay of "The Blackout Club" is characterized by its unique blend of stealth mechanics, cooperative play, and horror elements, featuring innovative mechanics like the "closing your eyes" feature to detect enemies. While many players appreciate the engaging atmosphere and the variety of mission types, the gameplay can become repetitive and grindy over time, especially due to the limited map and objectives. Overall, the game is best enjoyed with friends, as the cooperative experience enhances the fun, despite some criticisms regarding balance and content updates.

    • “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 a mix of using your head, knowing when to take an enemy down, stay quiet, run like hell, and use your own traps and tools to your advantage, and it's definitely fun with the pace of parkour navigation to make your way around and maneuver enemies and obstacles.”
    • “The mechanics are really interesting, and the game is made to be balanced for every player, and you can play it how you want (the in-game abilities can help you shape your playstyle).”
    • “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 gets repetitive and boring after the first few missions, and progression is too slow.”
    • “The gameplay is really disappointing and repetitive.”
  • atmosphere118 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and creepy qualities, effectively blending elements of suspense, mystery, and eldritch horror. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a tense environment that enhances the cooperative experience, with many noting the strong visual and audio design that contributes to a feeling of danger and intrigue. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making it a compelling choice for fans of horror and stealth 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.”
    • “All of the atmosphere is ruined when you just run past every enemy so you can grind out those completions to get to the next mission.”
    • “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.”
    • “Right now the map is infested with NPCs and it adds very little tension to the game and feeling of its atmosphere.”
  • graphics106 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the unique art style and atmospheric presentation, while others note issues such as minor glitches and outdated visuals. Overall, players appreciate the game's aesthetic and smooth performance, though some feel it lacks the polish expected from a more developed title. Despite some criticisms, the visuals are often described as charming and immersive, contributing positively to the gameplay experience.

    • “In terms of visuals, the game delivers a moody and atmospheric presentation that suits the tone.”
    • “A beautifully made game, amazing graphics, and fun gameplay.”
    • “The graphics, while rough, are pretty good.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding40 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively repetitive and tedious, leading to a lackluster experience. While some appreciate the co-op gameplay and the unique storytelling elements that can make grinding more enjoyable, others feel that the slow leveling system and monotonous missions detract from the overall enjoyment. Ultimately, the game may appeal to those who enjoy grinding and stealth mechanics, but it risks alienating players who prefer more dynamic gameplay.

    • “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.”
    • “There is quite a bit of grind to this game and the grinding itself is very monotonous and repetitive.”
  • humor29 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending thrilling gameplay with a variety of comedic moments that keep players laughing, even amidst tension. Players appreciate the cheeky humor, funny mechanics, and the ability to share hilarious experiences with friends, making it a fun co-op experience. While some moments can be genuinely scary, the overall tone leans more towards humor, with players often finding themselves in amusing situations that enhance the gameplay.

    • “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 though, 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.”
  • stability29 mentions

    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 and find it fun despite the bugs, many express that the game feels incomplete and unpolished, suggesting that it requires substantial fixes to improve the overall experience. Overall, while the core mechanics are appreciated, the persistent issues detract from the enjoyment and stability of the game.

    • “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.”
  • replayability26 mentions

    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 criticize it for becoming repetitive over time and lacking sufficient content to maintain long-term interest. Overall, while many find it enjoyable and replayable, there are concerns about its sustainability without new updates or features.

    • “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 that 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.”
  • music15 mentions

    The music in the game is described as atmospheric and integral to the overall experience, enhancing suspense and immersion. While some players found the ambient tracks to be unremarkable, others praised the soundtrack for its ability to set the mood and complement gameplay, particularly during missions involving music-related objectives. Overall, the voice acting and music contribute significantly to the game's ambiance, making it a standout feature for many players.

    • “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.”
  • optimization13 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing performance issues and bugs, while others find it surprisingly playable despite its early access status. Many users note a lack of optimization, describing the game as clunky and poorly designed, particularly for solo play. However, a few players appreciate the graphics and smooth performance on lower-end systems, suggesting that while there are significant issues, the game shows potential for improvement.

    • “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? In multiplayer, there are 4 players with 3 lives each.”
    • “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.”
  • monetization11 mentions

    The game's monetization model is primarily focused on cosmetic in-game purchases, with no microtransactions or additional currency sales. 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, some players view the monetization strategy as a cash grab, while others appreciate the absence of aggressive upselling tactics common in AAA games.

    • “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 presence 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.”
    • “[h1] TL;DR: Don't buy the game; it's pretty much a quick cash grab. [/h1]”
    • “I imagine this being a sleeper hit once it gets proper advertisement.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    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 wholesome joy to profound 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 development3 mentions

    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 from the developers. 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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

Buy The Blackout Club

Play time

9hMedian play time
26hAverage play time
5-25hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 21 analyzed playthroughs

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