The Black Mirror

I played this game in June 2024, as I was searching for an old-school graphic adventure, and it was quite a discovery for me. It captivated me from the first minute with its story development, the simplicity of the commands, and its ever-present mysterious music. The game's difficulty level is low for those of us who are fans of this type of 2D graphic adventure; the puzzles can be easily solved by connecting simple clues that appear. However, there was one occasion where, to continue the action, I had to move from one place to another to make time pass, which was a bit annoying. Despite its simplicity, it was a pleasure to play. For me, the story, the characters, their voices, and the music that accompanied the scenes made it a delight. I absolutely recommend it to fans of this genre.

I'm not really all that interested in adventure games for the PC, to be honest. I was really into them on the Commodore 64 back in the 80s, which is weird considering how much more visual and dynamic they are these days. The Black Mirror does have some gorgeous graphics and an impressively Gothic atmosphere, but it's ruined by perpetual slowness and many, many scenes of long, long conversations.

Samuel Gordon (the most arrogant man in a video-game ever) is the wayward heir to the Gordon Manor (Black Mirror Castle) who returns to his rural England roots when his grandfather is killed in suspicious circumstances. It's up to you to guide him around the Manor and village, talking to people and investigating.

Typical 'adventure' gameplay mechanics are involved in progressing through the chapters. Which is fine, but when the game makes you wait for other characters to do stuff for you, boy does it make you WAIT. I've had the game running for over 6 hours while other characters waste you're time doing stuff for you (or not doing it rather). And there's nothing else for YOU do to when this is going on. It's infuriating.

The ending to the game is profoundly weak. A lame twist I should have seen coming is capped-off with dull, whogivesadamn cut-scene and then the end credits. When I play a game for so long I expect more than that! It also leaves many questions unanswered. Who EXACTLY killed William Gordon? Where did Uncle Robert really go? What's the deal with Samuel's long-dead lover? How did the Priest not find the secret crypt halfway through the game? Why is it set in 1981?

I was impressed with the game at first but in the last third it got pretty damn tiresome and the end is no real pay-off. For serious adventure gamers ONLY.

From the start this adventure offers us a mystery that we want to solve! For a game that is made in 2003 it looks real good! Most of it looks realistic and authentic! Only the animations of the characters could have been done better! Because the main character is walking real stiff! (And yes,you can assume that he deserves it because Samuel Gordon acts like a real arrogant uppercase bastard sometimes) But I doubt it that they made the animation with that in mind! Solving problems and puzzles in "Black Mirror" can be rewarding and frustrating at the same time! Most of the puzzles are logical and certainly won't be a problem for the experienced adventure gamer! And some are illogical! You have to do certain things in order to advance without any connection to the event itself! So at first it seems that you have to wait a lot! But if you don't do anything and just wait it can take ages for something to happen! This means that you have to visit other places until you will trigger an event! All of this is nothing compared to the one puzzle that can make your head spin! And that is the "zodiac slider puzzle". This puzzle is random and changes every time you start it! (Sometimes in such a way that it is impossible to solve!) One of the most frustrating puzzles ever made in these type of games! The only motivation for me to solve this puzzle was that I was hoping for more than a decent conclusion to the mystery! Sadly I have to report that the climax will be very disappointing! You can see the big twist coming! Worse, this twist doesn't even bother to explain how it was possible only that it did! And the finale is very weak in contrast to the mystery that was introduced to us! Is it still worth your time! Well,yes! If you are prepared for the dull climax and ending and don't expect too much this adventure will be very enjoyable! This game does succeed in presenting an ambiance similar to classic horror stories! The atmosphere of this game is thrilling and chilling! "Black Mirror" is flawed but solid!