Black Mirror

This is a tough one. Not the game, but deciding how to review it.
Being a big fan of the original trilogy of Black Mirror I was fairly disappointed with this 4. part. It doesn't have the depth, charme or black humour that the others games had.
Nevertheless, it is far from being the worst game I've encountered.
+ You see that people put effort into it, the German voice acting is very good, the atmosphere in the castle and its surroundings are spooky. I even think the story in general is fine, even if not as complex as in the other games.
- Being a game from 2017, there are aspects that should have been better by that time. Facial expressions, plastic-looking hair and a really awful camera movement are things that bothered me while playing. The game also had to be reloaded several times as some triggers didn't seem to work. The puzzles are not terrible but very limited. There isn't too much to do here and there. I mainly ran around the castle in pitch black darkness as your only light source tended to walk in directions you didn't need to go.
Summary: It's not terrible, it's not good either. If you are a Black Mirror fan, this games will hurt your heart but it will also give you a little bit of lore.

Black Mirror, developed by KING Art and published by THQ Nordic, is a reimagining of the classic gothic adventure series that trades the traditional point-and-click format for a more modern, cinematic approach to storytelling. Set in the shadowy Scottish Highlands during the 1920s, the game follows David Gordon as he returns to his ancestral home after his father’s mysterious death. What begins as a somber homecoming gradually transforms into a descent into psychological horror, as David uncovers fragments of a family history steeped in obsession, tragedy, and something far more unsettling lurking beneath the surface.
The game’s greatest strength lies in its atmosphere. From the moment players step into the Black Mirror estate, there is a palpable sense of isolation and unease that permeates every corner of the experience. The manor itself is oppressive and labyrinthine, filled with dimly lit corridors, locked rooms, and subtle environmental details that hint at a troubled past. Rather than relying on overt scares, the game builds tension slowly, allowing dread to accumulate through its pacing, sound design, and visual tone. It feels less like a horror game focused on shock value and more like a creeping psychological unraveling, where the environment itself seems to reflect the protagonist’s deteriorating state of mind.
Gameplay centers on exploration and puzzle-solving, presented through a third-person perspective that allows players to move freely through the world. Interactions are straightforward—examining objects, collecting items, and engaging in dialogue to piece together clues about the Gordon family’s history. The puzzles are generally well integrated into the narrative, often requiring players to think logically about their surroundings rather than relying on obscure or abstract solutions. However, they rarely pose a significant challenge, and experienced players may find them somewhat lacking in complexity. The emphasis is clearly on maintaining narrative flow rather than testing the player’s problem-solving skills.
The story itself is ambitious, delving into themes of inheritance, identity, and the lingering effects of trauma across generations. As David investigates his father’s death, he begins to question not only the events surrounding it but also his own connection to the family’s dark legacy. The game carefully walks a line between psychological explanation and supernatural implication, keeping players uncertain about the true nature of the horrors they are witnessing. This ambiguity is one of its more compelling elements, though the eventual resolution may feel less impactful than the buildup suggests, leaving some narrative threads feeling incomplete.
Visually, Black Mirror presents a contrast between strong environmental design and less convincing character work. The manor and its surrounding locations are richly detailed, with lighting and texture work that effectively reinforce the game’s gothic aesthetic. Shadows stretch across walls, candlelight flickers in quiet rooms, and the overall presentation creates a consistent sense of decay and melancholy. In contrast, character models and animations can appear stiff and somewhat lifeless, which detracts from the emotional weight of key scenes. This inconsistency is particularly noticeable during dialogue sequences, where the lack of expressive animation can make interactions feel less engaging than intended.
The audio design complements the visual atmosphere, with a subdued musical score and carefully crafted ambient sounds that enhance the sense of isolation. Creaking floors, distant echoes, and subtle environmental noises contribute to the tension, making the manor feel alive in an unsettling way. Voice acting is generally adequate, though uneven at times, with some performances capturing the tone of the narrative more effectively than others. Despite these inconsistencies, the overall soundscape succeeds in reinforcing the game’s mood.
Technical issues and pacing problems are among the game’s more noticeable weaknesses. Occasional bugs, awkward camera angles, and minor performance hiccups can interrupt immersion, while certain sections of the story feel either stretched out or abruptly resolved. The game’s relatively short length also means that some of its ideas are not explored as fully as they could have been, leaving a sense that the narrative could have benefited from additional development.
In the end, Black Mirror is a game that excels in creating a haunting, atmospheric experience while falling short in areas of polish and depth. It offers a compelling journey into a world defined by mystery and psychological tension, supported by strong environmental storytelling and a clear thematic focus. While it may not fully satisfy players seeking complex gameplay or a deeply intricate narrative, it remains an engaging and memorable entry in the gothic horror genre.
Rating: 7/10

I love this type of games. It was a beautiful game. Thank you for your work. I hope you will support the Arabic language in future projects. Thanks again.

The game is short, but I enjoyed the puzzles and the overall pacing. However, the controls feel a bit clunky on PC, so I’d recommend using a controller for smoother and more intuitive interaction with objects.

Black mirror has some janky controls, a few texture pops and bugs that make the lights go out but I enjoyed the cast - the mystery was enough to hold my attention - some cool celtic undertone which is refreshing in this lovecraftian world at the moment. Would pick up on sale and enjoy your 8hrs with it. 6/10

Black Mirror (the 3D reboot) reimagines the series as a first-person horror adventure, focusing more on exploration and atmosphere while keeping the gothic mystery at its core.

I liked it overall, but I didn’t get around to finishing it, mostly due to time. The story and mood were interesting, but movement felt a bit clunky, which sometimes made exploration less enjoyable. Still, it had a nice eerie atmosphere, and it felt like a solid attempt to modernize the series, even if it wasn’t always smooth to play.

Great remake with an incredible story to tell! The environments were awesome and the voice acting phenomenal. Puzzles were intuitive, but seemed to get easier with each chapter. I played with both mouse and keyboard, and with controller, and have to say, controller is by far the way to go with this one. Really wasn't optimized great for mouse and keyboard with the mechanics of the game, and movement and interaction with not only the environment, but the inventory items, was very choppy. To get a happy full experience, highly recommend playing with controller, otherwise, one may become too frustrated to continue. Overall, highly recommend!