The Black Mirror

Twelve Years after leaving the Black Mirror estates, Samuel Gordon returns for his grandfather’s funeral.  Samuel believes something isn’t right with his grandfather’s death and is determined to undercover the truth.  What strange and horrifying events will Samuel uncover about his grandfather’s death?  What other secrets will be uncovered as well?  Could these secrets haunt Samuel forever?

The Black Mirror is a point and click adventure game set around the Black Mirror mansion. You play the role of Samuel Gordon, who has returned to Black Mirror to attend his grandfather William’s funeral.  Samuel believes foul play was involved with his grandfather’s death.  As Samuel Gordon you will explore multiple locations within and outside of the mansion to undercover the truth behind William’s death. While investigating William’s death, other deaths continue to occur.  How do these other deaths relate to William’s death?

The game itself is a mystery/horror/detective game.  You’ll uncover horrific details regarding William’s death and other aspects of the Black Mirror mansion. But you’re still solving puzzles to solve the mystery of what caused William’s death.  The interface is easy enough for anyone to pick up and play.  You click on a person to talk to them, or you click on an item to use it.  The game makes it simple enough where the mouse cursor will change when you can’t click on an item anymore.  If you’ve done all you can with the item, then the cursor will no longer allow you to select the item. 

You gather clues regarding William’s death by talking to the different characters in the game.  Talking to the different characters plays a key role in the game, and provides a big nuisance.  Each person in the game can provide you with clues as to what’s happening around The Black Mirror.  Certain characters will tell you stories about William’s behavior that might lead you to believe that maybe William committed suicide.   Each character will usually give you a clue as to what to search for next, or who to talk to next.  Even after talking to the other characters in the game, Samuel will think to himself regarding the comments the other character made.  Samuel’s thoughts will also offer clues as to where to go next or whom you need to speak with next.   

Most of the clues offered are straightforward and easy to understand.  Other times, the clues offered can be rather vague sometimes, especially after you figure out later on what they really meant.  But just like a true mystery, you can’t have all of the clues given to you in clear and concise steps.  Part of the game is figuring out what some of the clues mean, and what needs to be done next.  The amount of dialog in the game is impressive, but the voice acting comes across a little too over the top.  Now the voice acting isn’t William Shatner campy, but it can come close.  After listening to the characters so many times, you’ll probably start skipping the spoken dialog and read the subtitles.   

The horror factor is very subdued during most of the game.  You will come across a morgue, have some horrifying dreams, and see blood.  But the horror factor works well with the overall mystery elements.  Just trying to determine what in the world is going on can, and then learning the truth can be horrifying enough.  Most of the game plays out similar to a book, with different chapters and the mystery unfolding with each chapter.

The Black Mirror offers an entertaining adventure/mystery gaming experience.  Fans of the genre will be pleased with the story line, puzzles and easy to use interface of the game.  For other gamers, this will probably feel like more of the same.  A point and click adventure game might not offer enough for modern mystery/horror fans.

Gameplay 7.5 

The basic gameplay relies on the point and click interface.  You click on an item to look at it, use it, or maybe even combine it with something else.  You click on a person to talk to them, or ask them questions about an item or someone in the game.  You will have to solve puzzles to keep advancing through out the game.  The puzzles range from easy to somewhat difficult.  Just clicking on an item in your inventory might solve some of the puzzles.  Other puzzles might require more thought, such as knowing how the planets are aligned in the Solar System.  The control system keeps everything very simple for the player, by pointing out to you if an item can be selected.  If the cursor is red then you can click on the item, if the cursor is not red then you cannot.  There are also additional actions you can try by right clicking on an item.  Sometimes right clicking on an item will find another item to help you solve the next puzzle.  The game is also divided up into several different chapters.  Similar to a book, each chapter is broken up based upon the different experiences Samuel Gordon goes through.   You never really know when the chapter will end, but it could end in a shocking twist or turn in the story.

Graphics 7.8 

The graphics are very detailed, with every stage and location having it’s own unique look.  The game is presented with 3D characters overtop of a 2D background/stage.  All of the stages are detailed, and each object can be made out clearly.  The animation for the characters can seem a little stiff at times.  There is also what seems to be a slight pause in the action when you’re talking to a character.  You have to wait a few seconds before the character will turn around, or answer the door, or even acknowledge you before you can begin a conversation.  The character graphics are detailed but lack the detail of the stages and other objects in the game. 

Sound 7.8 

The music and sound effects are kept to a minimum.  The sound effects are used mainly for the different items you interact with during the game.  You also hear different effects, such as the wind blowing, rain falling down, or leaves rustling.  The sound effects come across loud and clear during the game.  The music will usually play when there is a specific change in the game, such as a key event.  The music fits the overall mood of the game, coming across with a dark and mysterious feeling.  Other times the music will try and startle you, by starting off soft and smooth and then changing to a hard, attacking style.  As mentioned earlier the voice acting ranges from good to average.  Some of the characters sound similar to each other, but most have their own unique voice.

Difficulty Medium/Hard 

As with most point and click adventure/mystery games, solving puzzles is a large portion of the game.  You won’t be able to move on in the game until you solve the next puzzle.  Some of the puzzles can be tricky, especially when the clues given are vague.  A good rule to follow (as with other games in this genre) is to talk to everyone, all the time.  If you get a different dialog from one character, make sure you talk to the other characters.  This is a necessity with some of the puzzles in the game.  One character might mention one thing about another character or item.  Then if you ask another character, you’ll undercover more information about this item or character.  It sometimes seems like a big game of trial and error.  If this person said this, then maybe this other person will say something else. 

Concept 7.3 

The concept for The Black Mirror is nothing new.  It’s your standard mystery/horror game that’s been done before.  The point and click interface is also standard for this type of game.  While it doesn’t do anything different then other games before it, the detailed graphics and challenging puzzles make it stand out.  The interesting story line also helps in keeping you locked into the game, trying to find out just what happened.  The chapter system is unique and makes the game feel closer to a mystery novel. 

Overall  7.6 

The Black Mirror is a worthy addition for anyone looking for a solid mystery/horror game.  The interesting story line, easy to use control system, and detail graphics makes the game stand out.  As you get further along into the game, you start uncovering some very interesting ideas about the Black Mirror mansion itself and the Gordon family.  The control system, while just point and click, is very easy to use and understand.  The different stages and locations in the game are very detailed.  However there are a few problems with the game.  Some of the clues given by the characters can be vague and make you feel like you’re on a wild goose chase.  You know where you need to go and what you need to do, but until you talked to everyone again, you won’t be able to unlock that part of the game.  The voice acting can become tedious after a while, especially with a long section of dialog.  But even with these issues, The Black Mirror is an entertaining game that should please most gamers.