Black The Fall

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Summary

Black The Fall is an atmospheric side-scrolling shooter with puzzle solving elements.

An odd and unexpected black and white dream inspired by a childhood passed behind the Iron Curtain.

Discover an industrialized long lost world living in the shadow of the totalitarian state. Everyone should be regarded as a potential enemy, an informer, a criminal. Amnesic and unaware of circumstances which brought you into this place, you begin your journey which should reveal the mystery. Moving through a peculiar world you'll have to kill in order to survive, to solve different puzzles and to learn when to be brave and when to hide.

An early-access version of the game was released on Steam in June of 2014, as well as campaign through Kickstarter in the same year.

Storyline

After decades of toil, an old machinist plots his escape from Communism, through manipulation and scheming. Along the road, he befriends the most unlikely creature, an abandoned robot. Could they solve the puzzles and flee this bleak world together?


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Black The Fall Reviews & Ratings

60
Review by SenorKoquonfaes [user]
February 16, 2020

Full disclosure, I genuinely dislike talking about political themes in games. It's not something I'm particularly well-versed in and suchFull disclosure, I genuinely dislike talking about political themes in games. It's not something I'm particularly well-versed in and such discussions can result in a lot of **** from multiple parties. In my experience, a lot of political agendas in games come off as heavily contrived and are often met player backlash as a result. With Black The Fall, however, I sort of have to get into the politics of the game since it plays a big part in it's striking theme.The game is an indie, puzzle platformer game that's set during the oppressive Communist regime in Romania. Further research turned up that the face of Romania's communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu is displayed on giant TV's throughout the game and you can even find a subtle outline of the country in the main menu, just off to the bottom right of the bike. The game supposedly draws a lot of references to Romania's dark past and provides an interesting "what if" scenario regarding the Communist regime not being overthrown in 1989: the end of Nicolae Ceausescu's term as Communist leader.The core gameplay loop revolves around using stealth and puzzle solving solutions to navigate through factory floors, secret passage ways, an abandoned wasteland, a prison complex and ultimately escape. Throughout the game, you'll experience just how far an oppressive regime will to squash any dissenters and maintain order as NPCs are forced fed propaganda and are worked to the point of exhaustion and sickness.I felt that the games graphics were well done. The dark, imposing atmosphere that covers every colour on the grey spectrum do a great job of creating this drab and dreary environment that you want to escape from and never look back. The game also leverages the colour red to indicate security measures, which presents a threat to the player. Funny enough that the colour red has also been associated with Communism (the infamous "Hammer & Sickle").The game's runtime on a single play through is about 3 hours with very little replay value. Despite the shorter run time, the game still tells a pretty compelling story about refusing to no longer be a cog in an oppressive regime and plotting an escape. The game has a pretty demoralizing ending, considering everything the player has to go through to get to the end.

70
Review by savvym [user]
June 16, 2019

What story?Background. 3/5 ☑There are no speeches only some shouts of guards. But the background atmosphere is supposed to inject youWhat 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.

70
Review by NightGeisha [user]
January 2, 2019

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 anBlack 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.

80
Review by CD-Action
October 30, 2017

Black The Fall bought me with its brilliant atmosphere of hopelessness that even Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four would not be ashamed of.

60
Review by LEVEL (Czech Republic)
September 29, 2017

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.

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Game Information
Release Date July 11, 2017
Publisher Square Enix, Sand Sailor Studio, Sand Sailor Studio
Content Rated T (Teen)
Game Modes Single player
Player Perspectives Side view
Genres Platform, Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Themes Action, Science fiction, Horror, Historical, Stealth
Platforms Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch