Blacklight: Retribution

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. PlayStation Universe
    Dec 24, 2013
    85
    Blacklight: Retribution can easily stand tall with the competitive online shooters on the PS4. Zombie Studios' focus solely on multiplayer makes for a surprisingly good game highlighted by its balance and gameplay that also just happens to be free-to-play.
  2. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Mar 3, 2014
    80
    It lacks the bells and whistles, but give Blacklight a chance and you'll be pleasantly surprised. [January 2014, p79]
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  3. games(TM)
    Jan 23, 2014
    70
    If you've a passing interest in blasting chumps and don't fancy dropping 50 quid for the privilege, Blacklight: Retribution is a more than serviceable option. [Issue#143, p.105]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Multiplayer.it
    Dec 19, 2013
    70
    Blacklight: Retribution is a competent FPS, with some nice ideas and a classic feeling, but the PlayStation 4 version lacks of some features available on PC and is technically poorer.
  6. NowGamer
    Nov 18, 2013
    70
    Zombie Studios has certainly got the visuals and rampant multiplayer matches down, but the entry price is too high for most players to pay if they want to succeed.
  7. PSX Extreme
    Jan 9, 2014
    60
    It’s quick, occasionally rewarding, and if you’ve got a few friends to play with, you can definitely have some fun. The control is fine and despite those technical imperfections, the game flows along relatively well. It’s just largely underwhelming and this free-to-play structure isn’t attractive.
  8. Everyeye.it
    Dec 20, 2013
    55
    Poor graphics, a not functional gameplay and an exaggerated focus on pay-to-win mechanics made Blacklight Retribution a not too convincing free-to-play.
  9. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Jan 21, 2014
    50
    In its defence, Retribution is free to play – so while it can’t compete with Killzone Shadow Fall, that’s an unfair expectation to begin with. But it’s still a PS4 release, and in this regard feels like a grubby stowaway that’s snuck aboard a glitzy cruise liner bound for the golden shores of next-gen.
  10. Metro GameCentral
    Dec 9, 2013
    50
    The fact that it’s free-to-play is almost the only point of interest in this derivative shooter – and even that is far less appealing once you get into the details.
  11. GameSpot
    Dec 4, 2013
    50
    Blacklight: Retribution has its fun moments to balance out the frustrating ones. But with a few unpleasant quirks, some missing features, and a borderline draconian pricing model, it's hardly a must-have shooter for kicking off the new wave of current-gen gaming.
  12. Edge Magazine
    Jan 10, 2014
    40
    At a base level, this is simply too forgettable to give players a good enough reason to return. Perhaps it would be different if Zombie had been more lenient with its economy, allowing you to try more before committing to buy.

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best PS4 Game of 2013
15
#15 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2013
12
#12 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2013

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 198 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 72 out of 198
  2. Mixed: 68 out of 198
  3. Negative: 58 out of 198
  1. BerserkerPSN
    Nov 22, 2013
    7
    About a year after launching on the PC, Blacklight: Retribution has finally made its way to the PlayStation Store. For those of you who aren'tAbout a year after launching on the PC, Blacklight: Retribution has finally made its way to the PlayStation Store. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Blacklight series, they're essentially a collection of "free-to-play" first person MMO's. The series has never really caught on, however, in a time when great games like Planetside 2 and TF2 dominate the free-to-play FPS market. Despite this, Zombie Studios has nevertheless decided to rerelease the series's latest release, Blacklight: Retribution, on the PS4. Unfortunately, Blacklight's debut on the PS4 suffers from much of what crippled it in in the past. The game of what crippled it in the past Even with a solid connection, the game will occasionally lag, and finding a match often took several minutes. Considering the game is still in its beta phase, these flaws are understandable, although they do make the game feel rushed. As is the case with most free-to-play games, Retribution sports a pay-to-win philosophy. In other words, you provide the cash, and the game provides the weaponry. This aspect drastically changes the experience, as even the most skilled players are mauled down by recruits with heavy arsenals. However, once you get past the rather unfair side of Retribution, the game can actually be quite fun. Great map design and well though out game types make Retribution worth checking out. In terms of visuals, Retribution looks great for a free-to-play, but poor for a next generation title. Textures lack in detail, and none of the environments stand out. If there's one thing in Retribution that looks great, its the guns. Each weapon has its own feel and look, adding to the experience. Overall, Retribution doesn't disappoint, but it doesn't stand out either. If you some free time, and are craving a quick multiplayer match, look no further than Blacklight: Retribution.… Full Review »
  2. MacDaddyD123
    Nov 25, 2013
    4
    I was so disappointed with this game. It looks like a lot of fun but it feels so blocky and awkward and it is so hard to get into a match withI was so disappointed with this game. It looks like a lot of fun but it feels so blocky and awkward and it is so hard to get into a match with a friend. Also there is no way to have more than a couple hours of fun without dropping some money into it to get more equipment and weapons. But can you really complain when its a free-to-play? Nah its a decent FTP. And lots of microtransactions are to be expected with a FTP. Go ahead and download it but don't expect too much without dropping some cash into it.… Full Review »
  3. Paladin_Of_Luna
    Nov 18, 2013
    0
    Not what I was expecting. Blacklight: Retribution looked like an amazing free-to-play game on the PS4 launch, and I was very eager to get it,Not what I was expecting. Blacklight: Retribution looked like an amazing free-to-play game on the PS4 launch, and I was very eager to get it, being a long-time fan of multiplayer FPS games. My first day with this game was decent. I messed around for a bit with the training modes, as the servers were so messed up that I could not connect to a game. The AI are probably the dumbest things I have ever seen, until they can see you, at which point your face is greeted with a hail of bullets that shred you into nothingness. Eventually, after getting bored, I tried to find a game once more on my second day. I successfully found one, and played for a couple of hours, racking up points and XP despite being killed by opponents with better gear and equipment, and then afterwards, when I went to go look for new equipment to buy with the hard-earned in-game points, I learned something. You cannot permanently unlock a single thing with in-game "GP"! I thought it was a sick joke, and looked everywhere for proof otherwise! To my astonishment, I was greeted with screens asking me to pay for in game "Premium Currency", otherwise I could only drop a couple thousand hard-earned "GP" to "rent" the gun and equipment for a maximum of one week. Do not be fooled people, this is a straight, 100% PAY-TO-WIN, BETA game. It's similar in purchasing to League of Legends, where they rotate a "Hero" character that is free to play, but you have no access to their abilities or such, and everything is consumable. Even the in-game "depot" shop is similar to League of Legends. I know it's an odd comparison, but it is literally the same pay-to-win mechanic, so do not come and play this game expecting it to be free, it really isn't, and I think Zombie Studios should feel guilty about releasing this poor of a beta to the world, and admit that they lied about this game being free. Companies like this are the worst of the worst as far as money-grubbing goes.… Full Review »
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