Black The Fall

 PC
User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 42
  3. Negative: 7 out of 42

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  1. AcidOxidant
    Feb 8, 2018
    7
    This game is a decent. The mechanics are very simple and the puzzles simple to match but it takes a little while before they become interesting at all. EVERYTHING feels scripted, it's not a game with a fully fledged out physics engine. Its gameplay is highly similar to INSIDE by Playdead studios but doesn't feel like the massive letdown INSIDE was compared to it's spiritual prequel, LIMBOThis game is a decent. The mechanics are very simple and the puzzles simple to match but it takes a little while before they become interesting at all. EVERYTHING feels scripted, it's not a game with a fully fledged out physics engine. Its gameplay is highly similar to INSIDE by Playdead studios but doesn't feel like the massive letdown INSIDE was compared to it's spiritual prequel, LIMBO lmao.

    The atmosphere is very well made but again, simple. Fairly low poly count but it gets across a bleak atmosphere of a world gone to the authoritative rule of a supremely powerful and oppressive dictatorship.

    I got it in the Humble Monthly bundle, it's worth about $15, maybe on sale. Don't go out of your way to play this, it's a relaxed, low energy game.    … Expand
  2. savvym
    Jun 16, 2019
    7
    What story?

    Background. 3/5 ☑ There are no speeches only some shouts of guards. But the background atmosphere is supposed to inject you with feelings of oppression by Communist regime. There are in between parts which show you the world. They are called chapters and you get a checkpoint after each puzzle solved. Game play? Good. 4/5 ☑ It is rather relaxing puzzler where you    What story?

    Background. 3/5 ☑
    There are no speeches only some shouts of guards. But the background atmosphere is supposed to inject you with feelings of oppression by Communist regime. There are in between parts which show you the world. They are called chapters and you get a checkpoint after each puzzle solved.

    Game play?

    Good. 4/5 ☑
    It is rather relaxing puzzler where you solve puzzles and use reflexes to jump around or time your escape under the lights of enemies. You continuously get to understand your controls and how to get past guards. Some puzzles are repeating themselves with slight variations inside the environment. Mostly, you need to be attentive to the signs giving you clues.

    Re playability?

    Acceptable. 2/5 ☑
    I have got 36% achievements in 1st walk through, though it seemed very linear to me, surprised that I did not unlock 100%. There were machine buttons that did not move a thing when pressed. There are probably some collectibles or hidden rooms I am not aware of.

    Graphics?

    Good. 4/5 ☑
    Art style is great, light effects too, there is some music here and there, but most sounds are coming from the machines around you. It is 2.5D side-scroller and you will turn to the sides when moving around.

    Hardware requirements?

    Low range. ☑ It ran smooth on my GTX 1060 and i7- 8700 with above 150 FPS.

    How difficult?

    Normal. ☑
    You should get through by trial and error, watch the reactions of guards and environment changes. Lights and sounds also play their roles to trick player. There are only few controls, walk, crouch, jump, fall, use, aim and command. Exhaust them all, look around your chapter, your options are limited.

    How long?

    less than 2 hours. ☑ The fastest you can get through is little over 1 hour.
    2-9 hours. ☑ I finished it in 3 hours.

    I am giving Black the Fall 7/10. It is short and linear puzzler, not very frustrating if at all, atmosphere is kind of a background story.    … Expand
  3. NightGeisha
    Jan 2, 2019
    7
    Black The Fall is an extremely interesting and rewarding game to play. With a very symbolic story, Black tells a dark, cold, hard story of an escape from communism in a brilliant, wordless narrative way.

    Graphically stylized with a very particular style, the game demonstrates well the artistic treatment, acclaimed by the critics. The soundtrack is intense and immersive. Mechanically    Black The Fall is an extremely interesting and rewarding game to play. With a very symbolic story, Black tells a dark, cold, hard story of an escape from communism in a brilliant, wordless narrative way.

    Graphically stylized with a very particular style, the game demonstrates well the artistic treatment, acclaimed by the critics. The soundtrack is intense and immersive.
    Mechanically the game is very simple, but with challenging and elaborate jigsaw puzzles.

    I think for this game using a controller will be a huge plus, but I did not have any issues playing it with a keyboard.

    Black is a very nice "outside of the box" game, that I honestly enjoy every moment.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Cubed3
    Feb 21, 2019
    60
    Black the Fall is... okay. Not the worst atmospheric puzzle-adventure out there, but also very far from the top steps of the podium. A strong, oppressive atmosphere can get you places, but a game of this kind still needs a good plot, and some gameplay mechanics that are more than decent.
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  2. CD-Action
    Oct 30, 2017
    80
    Black The Fall bought me with its brilliant atmosphere of hopelessness that even Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four would not be ashamed of. [10/2017, p.57]
  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Sep 29, 2017
    60
    An attempt to escape from the Communist prison in Black the Fall has a plenty of strong moments and great environment design. It´s a pity, there is only a short campaign and many technical issues. [Issue#277]
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