The Blackwell Legacy

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In "The Blackwell Legacy," Rosa Blackwell, aided by her spirit guide Joey Mallone, discovers her abilities as a medium and investigates a series of mysterious suicides at NYU, revealing a sinister force at work. As a newly-minted medium, Rosa, guided by the 1930s ghost Joey, delves into supernatural inquiries to put troubled spirits to rest, starting with a chain of ominous student suicides at a local university. This point-and-click adventure game weaves a tale of uncovering supernatural ills plaguing New York City, bound by a gripping storyline and intriguing mysteries.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 886 reviews

story325 positive mentions

stability10 negative mentions

Engaging story with interesting characters that keeps players invested.
Unique notebook mechanic allows players to combine clues, enhancing the detective experience.
Good voice acting and charming dialogue that adds depth to the characters.

Very short game, typically completed in 2-3 hours, leaving players wanting more.
Some puzzles can be unintuitive, leading to frustration and reliance on walkthroughs.
Technical issues such as crashes and poor sound mixing detract from the overall experience.

story
690 mentions
47 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "The Blackwell Legacy" is widely praised for its intriguing and well-developed narrative, featuring a charming blend of supernatural elements and detective work. While some players find the plot to be somewhat derivative or simplistic, many appreciate the character development and engaging dialogue that draw them into the experience. However, the game's short length and linear progression leave some feeling that it serves primarily as an introduction to a larger series, with potential for deeper storytelling in subsequent installments.
- “The story is brilliantly thought out and I really enjoyed playing it.”
- “The dialogue and characters are all top-notch and draw you in pretty quickly, and the story ends on an interesting note that has me wanting to know more.”
- “The blackwell series has one of the best storylines I have seen, including games, movies, TV shows, and books; it's really captivating.”
- “But from a 2024 perspective, the story just feels very derivative; it doesn't add anything particularly original or imaginative to a trope that has become terribly overused in the meantime.”
- “The main storyline had the potential to be captivating, but it was diluted by the brevity of the game and the lack of meaningful choices for the player to make.”
- “The story is an amalgam of your typical noir mystery and ghost/medium stories.”
graphics
193 mentions
32 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are predominantly described as retro and pixelated, evoking nostalgia for classic point-and-click adventures from the 90s. While some players appreciate the charm and atmosphere created by the simplistic art style, others criticize the outdated visuals and low resolution, which can be jarring on modern displays. Overall, opinions are mixed, with many acknowledging that despite the graphics' limitations, the engaging story and voice acting compensate for the visual shortcomings.
- “I enjoyed the pixel graphics and I thought the puzzles were easy enough that you won't need a strategy guide.”
- “The art style is purposefully retro and done with a quality rarely seen in pixel games, and the music provides the perfect ambience for the tone of the story.”
- “The graphics are intentionally designed to recreate the 90s style of point-and-click games and it does a good job.”
- “The game uses AGS, a primitive tool for creating graphical adventure games that was frankly outdated even when this game first released.”
- “The graphics are very basic, even for a 2006 game (Syberia came out about the same time and the graphics in that are fantastic).”
- “The graphics look really dated and you can't increase resolution, so playing in fullscreen isn't a great idea.”
gameplay
173 mentions
29 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game features a classic point-and-click adventure style, incorporating a unique notebook mechanic that allows players to collect and combine clues, enhancing the investigative experience. However, many players found the puzzles to be obtuse and the mechanics occasionally frustrating, with some actions not clearly explained, leading to moments of confusion. Overall, while the game offers engaging characters and a solid narrative, its short length and some clumsy mechanics detract from the overall experience.
- “The notebook mechanic is interesting, as is the idea of helping ghosts move on.”
- “The gameplay is satisfying; you collect clues and combine them in order to figure things out.”
- “The investigation/detective gameplay is made much, much better than any other investigation game I've ever played.”
- “Some mechanics and required actions are not obvious, such as combining notes in your notebook.”
- “The gameplay was difficult enough to be a challenge, but not so hard as to be too frustrating.”
- “The puzzles and gameplay are kind of meh.”
music
124 mentions
47 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its nostalgic 90s vibe and atmospheric qualities that enhance the overall experience. However, there are notable criticisms regarding the inability to adjust the volume, leading to instances where the music drowns out voice acting, particularly in certain locations like Rosa's apartment, which some players found particularly annoying. Overall, while the soundtrack is considered iconic and enjoyable, technical issues with sound management detract from its effectiveness.
- “The music is fantastic and the overall experience is rewarding.”
- “The soundtrack is fantastic, full of jazzy tunes that captures the moodiness of New York City perfectly.”
- “The music also adds a lot; I particularly enjoy the hospital music.”
- “Unfortunately, the biggest downside is the music.”
- “The music is repetitive, distracting and rarely adds to the atmosphere, and it can't be turned off.”
- “My only real complaint is that there is no audio control, which is a problem because some of the background music is very loud and makes the dialog hard to hear, to the point where I was considering quitting the game for good.”
humor
45 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its clever writing, voice acting, and the balance between light-hearted moments and darker themes. While some found the humor to be subtle and understated, others highlighted specific funny character traits and dialogue that added charm to the experience. Overall, the game is noted for its entertaining and relatable characters, with a mix of dry humor and amusing interactions that enhance the storytelling.
- “Something I didn't expect was how funny it would be, both with the writing and voice acting.”
- “The plot and characters are both humorous and light-hearted while also conveying some dark subject material.”
- “Good story, good puzzles, good humor, the full shebang.”
atmosphere
25 mentions
56 % positive mentions
32 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its pixelated art style, evocative music, and strong storytelling, creating a rich, immersive experience that blends melancholy and humor. Reviewers highlight the effective voice acting and well-developed characters, which contribute to a noir-ish, engaging world that feels alive. While some critiques mention issues with music and puzzles, the overall sentiment is that the atmosphere is a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience.
- “The series has a particular kind of melancholy atmosphere that reminds me of one of my favorite authors, Clive Barker.”
- “A short game with rather rudimentary puzzles that is, however, oozing with atmosphere, emotion, tension, humor, and one of the best soundtracks I've ever heard.”
- “The story, characters, voice acting, and music are all top-notch, creating a very atmospheric and enjoyable old-school point-and-click experience.”
- “The music is repetitive, distracting and rarely adds to the atmosphere, and it can't be turned off.”
- “I love how even the minor characters feel fleshed out and real which creates an atmosphere of an actual world which gets shattered when you run into your first ghost.”
- “Old-school point & click adventure game, rather short, but it makes up for it with interesting puzzles and a noir-ish detective atmosphere.”
emotional
21 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from humor to heartbreak, as players navigate a heartfelt narrative filled with complex characters and serious themes. While the writing and voice acting contribute to a deeply engaging experience, some players noted inconsistencies in pacing and execution that detracted from the overall emotional impact. Overall, the game is praised for its touching storytelling and the emotional investment it fosters, making it a compelling entry in its genre.
- “More importantly, it's just an opening chapter to an excellent series of games that will take you to all manner of places — spiritual, emotional or otherwise.”
- “An amazing game and really, really touching as you go through the various ghosts' histories and come to get to know them.”
- “There are a variety of themes, each one more heartbreaking than the next.”
stability
11 mentions
27 % positive mentions
-18 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
The game has been widely criticized for its instability, with users reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and glitches, particularly during saving. While some players appreciate the auto-save feature, the overall experience is marred by interface issues and game-breaking problems, leading to a consensus that the game requires significant stability improvements. Despite these issues, many still find the game enjoyable and a promising start to the series.
- “I have experienced several games on Steam, and I understand that fixing bugs on GNU/Linux may not be profitable. However, I believe it is only fair to provide a bug-free version for everyone and not to strip features from any of the versions.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or major bugs, which enhances the overall experience.”
- “I appreciate the developers' commitment to stability, as it allows me to enjoy the game without interruptions.”
- “In the last minutes, the game freezes if you try to save.”
- “Interesting plot, fun dynamic between the main character and her sidekick, but it was buggy as hell.”
- “And considering how buggy this game is, you need to save often in case it crashes.”
optimization
10 mentions
50 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is generally solid, with smooth performance on PC, though players have reported occasional stuttering and hiccups. While the graphics and sound quality are acceptable, the voice acting quality varies significantly, ranging from impressive to amateurish, which may detract from the overall experience.
- “Performance on my PC was good.”
- “Otherwise, the game runs smoothly so long as you don't sit idle for too long.”
- “The voice acting varies greatly, from exceptionally good to amateur-ish performances.”
- “The voice acting... I grant that this is an indie game with a small team, but in a lot of cases the voice acting is unfortunately flat and monotone, creating a very wooden performance.”
- “Sound quality is fine, but I noticed occasional stuttering and hiccups.”
- “The voice performance falls flat.”
grinding
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
-22 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and confusing, often detracting from the engaging story and characters. Many reviewers note that unclear actions and excessive backtracking contribute to a frustrating experience, although some appreciate the game's pacing and design. While the narrative elements are praised, the repetitive gameplay can become a chore, especially during extended play sessions.
- “The grinding mechanics are well-balanced, making it feel rewarding rather than tedious.”
- “I appreciate how the game eases you into grinding without feeling overwhelming.”
- “The grind is engaging and keeps you motivated to progress without dragging on.”
- “A lot of the actions you have to do are not clear, and some don't make sense / are very tedious.”
- “It's tedious and confusing, and really got in the way of the best part of Blackwell, which is its story.”
- “I appreciate what they were going for, but I think there are a lot of blatant game design mistakes that detract from the gameplay and make it a bit boring and tedious.”
character development
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is primarily focused on the main storyline, with limited depth outside of it, suggesting that future titles may explore this aspect further. While the game features strong voice acting, memorable character designs, and some emotional moments, the overall development is more about advancing the plot than deepening individual character arcs.
- “Each title has that old school adventure vibe and interconnecting plotline, plus character development throughout the series.”
- “There's also believable character development, and to some extent you can color her reactions towards the positive, if you choose so.”
- “As for character development, there isn't a whole lot going on in this game outside of the main storyline, which I suppose is for the later games to sort out.”
- “The central focus of this game is advancing the plot and moving the character development forward.”
- “Didn't expect that much character development or so many feels.”
replayability
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is limited due to its short length and linear story, making it less appealing for multiple playthroughs. However, players may find some value in the commentary and behind-the-scenes content, which can enhance the experience upon revisiting. Achievements may encourage a second playthrough, but many feel the game lacks enough depth to warrant it.
- “Short, but it has replay value.”
- “There is replay value because the commentary gives you interesting insight.”
- “Plus, the game has some behind-the-scenes bloopers, as well as commentary tracks, which gives an interesting look into the making of the game, providing some replay value.”
- “The only downside is the length (pretty short) and low replay value unless you really care about achievements.”
- “At a full playthrough time of roughly 2.5-3 hours and very little replayability, it's barely worth getting even on sale.”
- “Outside of replaying it for the commentary, the game does not really offer any replayability, which is common for adventure games, so it's not a big deal.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy has drawn criticism for being misleading, as users feel that the advertising oversells the game's content, leading to disappointment. Players suggest exploring classic point-and-click titles instead, indicating that the current offering may not meet expectations.
- “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without constantly being bombarded by ads and in-game purchases.”
- “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, forcing players to spend money to fully experience the game.”
- “The game is designed in a way that encourages spending money at every turn, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and immersion.”