Blackbar

 iOS
Blackbar Image
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: "A political statement—a super fun one. I _______ love this _______ game." —Loren Brichter"Awesome and totally unexpected." —Shaun InmanBlackbar is a text game: a sci-fi story of a dystopian future told through the medium of word puzzles. Reminiscent of"A political statement—a super fun one. I _______ love this _______ game." —Loren Brichter"Awesome and totally unexpected." —Shaun InmanBlackbar is a text game: a sci-fi story of a dystopian future told through the medium of word puzzles. Reminiscent of text adventures and interactive fiction, it has a unique mechanic centered around the concept of censorship. Censorship is frustrating, but the human spirit can beat that frustration by turning it into a game.You'll pick up and understand Blackbar instantly; however, its challenges will keep you searching, thinking, and trying for days.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. 148Apps
    Aug 27, 2013
    90
    Blackbar is a mysterious and befuddling game about deciphering censorship to discover the narrative and message beneath it.
  2. Pocket Gamer UK
    Sep 2, 2013
    90
    A moving and sometimes painful experience, Blackbar deserves to be played by as many people as possible.
  3. TouchArcade
    Sep 2, 2013
    90
    How it made me feel more like the protagonist than most other games, simply by having me fill in the words the Department decided should not be spoken...
  4. Eurogamer
    Sep 5, 2013
    80
    With each word you correct, you're rebelling against the system, raising a middle finger to oppression. It's a good feeling, and it's prompted by nothing more than black text on a white background. That's the power of the written word, all right.
  5. Edge Magazine
    Sep 17, 2013
    70
    Blackbar tells a satisfying dystopian short story, one that invites you to engage directly with its censorship theme.
  6. Hyper Magazine
    Oct 3, 2013
    70
    It's very unique and cool, and as such easy to like. [Nov 2013, p.81]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Adventure Gamers
    Dec 6, 2013
    70
    The unique Mad Libs-style text presentation of Blackbar’s sci-fi social commentary is certainly engaging, but it works better as an innovative reading experience rather than a fully-realized adventure game.

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Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Best iOS Game of 2013