Blackwell Deception

Number four in the series!

This one builds on everything that made the previous installments in the series so compelling: engaging mysteries, strong character development, and an ever-deepening supernatural narrative. By now, returning players, like myself, are well-acquainted with Rosa and her ghostly partner, Joey, but this entry pushes their relationship even further, revealing new emotional depths and tensions as they uncover another web of restless spirits and hidden secrets.

The game’s writing remains a highlight, with snappy dialogue, sharp wit, and poignant moments that make the story feel personal. The cases Rosa investigates are some of the most intricate in the series so far, connecting in ways that add to the larger mythos of the Blackwell universe. I also felt like the game refines the point ‘n’ click formula, making interactions smoother and puzzles more intuitive without sacrificing challenge.

For longtime fans, Deception is both satisfying and tantalizing, offering answers to lingering questions while introducing new mysteries – guess these will be addressed in the final episode. While it may not radically shake up the formula, it confidently delivers what makes the series great: a mix of detective work, supernatural intrigue, and deeply human storytelling. Still quite short, though.

What I really appreciate about the fourth entry in the Blackwell series is that Joey is becoming a more active player and we're also learning more about his background. The chemistry and banter between him and Rosa are very enjoyable.

The Blackwell series is getting better and better! Animation, voice-acting, music, and puzzles are all fantastic and the intriguing story is building up to a grand finale which we will see unfold in the next game, Epiphany.

Get all the Blackwell games; when they were being released back in the days, they single-handedly kept the point&click genre alive. <3

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2554001858

I originally played the series in 2016 and replaying again.
Took me about 2h 20m to beat.

Out of all the games, this is the beginning of the end and honestly it's a damn good game. Definitely the better one of the first four.
The graphics are the same yet very slowly get a little better each game. The UI change was a bit wonky though.
This one has a bit more 'puzzles' compared to the first 3.

My only issue is how the music still plays while dialogue goes on and you can't always properly hear what they say.

Replaying it's been fun watching how much things change, watching Rosa and Joey develop as characters.
Joey's always been one of my favorite characters, but the roller coaster really starts with this one which kind of sucks that game got better now since the next one is the end.

I highly recommend the whole series!

Loved this game- great storyline and continuation of the series.

This series is increasingly revealing itself to be *very* well-written for a video game series. This was probably my least favourite entry in a while in terms of puzzles, but the story is so compelling and the characters so put-together that I hardly care. Only upset that the next one is the last.

[quote]I accidentally reviewed the wrong Blackwell, meant to write this under the first one, Legacy. Yeah, a review inside a review that both link to each other, call it Blackwell Inception. But whatever, all of them are great anyway. This one has less reviews, so maybe it's for the best![/quote]
I'm quite an elitist when it comes to point & clicks, but I think that even in the 90's when there was plenty of competition the series would stand out. I'm even inclined to claim that Blackwell would be considered a classic by now. Because it has it all: charismatic characters with believable motivations, clever puzzles with original tools for solving them, and great stories with satisfactory conclusions. Not to mention the games get progressively more beautiful. Although, in terms of looks, my personal favourite is Unbound, a prequel. If I had to be a stickler, I'd say that the voice acting quality is not always consistent and I personally didn't care much for the music, but these aren't even nitpicks, only half-relevant whims. The two main characters, Rosangela the medium and Joey Mallone, a 1920's ghost who guides her, get so thoughtfully fleshed-out throughout the series your relationship with them is going to feel almost intimate. Together you shall investigate dead people's back stories and send their stranded souls to a place where they belong, not necessarily Heaven or Hell. That part remains a bit of a mystery. Not because the writing is obtuse, just subtle.

But what really makes these games stand out is the inventive use of Joey's intangible nature (ghosts are the perfect eaves-droppers, who knew?) and Rosa's notebook for puzzle-solving. Normally in adventure games you can either talk on certain topics or use inventory items to achieve your goals. Here, the notes add another layer of complexity. You can ask characters about the stuff you documented or compare evidence by using your records on environmental hot spots. You'll see what I mean almost instantly if you give Blackwell a chance. I think everyone should. There were no bad games in the series, each one of them is full of heart and soul. I truly enjoyed the whole thing and make my recommendation without a shadow of a doubt. I wish I could be more thorough, however, I played a long time ago. Don't have any notes left. So, these impressions are a residue that stayed with me after many years since I touched Blackwell. Which is probably also telling. The games never left my mind, haunting my ass into writing this. And you don't even have to be interested in the paranormal to love them. I'm not. These are still among the best point-n-clicks ever made. If you're into the genre and you just found this goodness, congratulations. It's your lucky day.

My curator Big Bad Mutuh

Ghosty boi Joey Mallone getting booty calls wasn't on my list but eh, man still got charm after 100 years.
Also, I did felt the character potraits were a downgrade from previous games, including the first one, but I enjoyed the rest of it, including the writing. Only one more game left to go in the series, this has been a really fun ride so far.

Literally the only bad thing I have to say about this game is that Rosa's sprite looks like she's wearing swimming goggles instead of glasses when viewed from the side. This game took me the longest to appreciate out of the series, but it's so damn good. I've always enjoyed it, but up until my latest playthrough I found it to be the weakest in the series, but not anymore. It's almost on the same level as Blackwell Epiphany, although I do prefer Epiphany overall. But I do prefer one thing in this game, the ghosts. Epiphany probably has my single favorite ghost overall, but the ones in this game are the most consistent in terms of quality.

I'm just going to write the same review for all the Blackwell games....Please PLEASE play this whole series you will not regret it. I legitimately cannot pick a favorite I love these games and ghosts.

Another good entry in the Blackwell series. In this one they figure out how to record audio lines without mic popping in every line of dialogue. The art style also takes an unexpected direction, leaning towards somewhat more realistic portraits of characters, but unfortunately the UI design got much worse. I also found myself having to look up a guide on two moments in the game but otherwise the puzzles felt like they were at a good level of difficulty.

Joey goes from strength to strength in fourth iteration as he set aside his previous pass time of punching women. Rosa lets Joey take the lead on the case of Aaliyah. Joey discovers her ghost still dancing in the VIP section. He gracefully bounces over the fact her fake ID is meaningless now she is dead. Using his smooth lines like "you have something in your eye" he manages to get her back to dorm before bump and grinding her to the next life.

Spoiler alert.

Blackwell Deception is the forth point-and-click adventure of Rosa Blackwell an her Spirit-guide Joey. It follows the established formula: You find clues, solve cases and help lost spirits move one. There is a larger story connecting all the cases and binding them together. Quality wise it is great as always, everything is voiced, the art is great and the music too. I personally did not like the new smartphone instead of a computer so much, but that’s a minor point. Some puzzles where a little bit out there, but this might also be on me. It is not necessary but recommended you played the three games before this one first.

So far, I liked this one the most out of the other Blackwell games. For those considering playing it, I highly recommend playing the previous games first, starting with Blackwell Legacy, then Blackwell Unbound and Blackwell Convergence, in that order. Otherwise, a lot of things will be confusing.

The game plays very similar to the others. There are a few small improvements, such as walking speed adjustment and a cell phone. The story is also what you would expect from a Blackwell game. You talk to people, figure stuff out, use items, etc. in order to progress.

The Blackwell games aren't particularly long ones, but they are not simple. Your first playthrough will probably take you a couple hours.

If you like retro adventure games with mystery crime solving, you'll like this.

My opinion... it's the best of the Blackwell series, but I have one to go. Fantastic game, great story, great ending. Play it.

Blackwell Deception marks a significant high point in the beloved Blackwell series, delivering an experience that both honours its roots and propels the narrative forward in captivating ways. From the moment you dive in, it's clear that Dave Gilbert and his talented team are operating at the peak of their creative powers.

One of the standout features of Deception is its stunning soundtrack, composed by the talented Thomas Regin. Known primarily for his interpretive work in classical music, Regin surprises players with an electrifying EDM track that breathes fresh energy into the game. This innovative addition is a delightful departure, seamlessly blending with the atmospheric tone and enhancing key moments throughout the narrative. The classical pieces remain just as impactful, with their intricate melodies perfectly capturing the emotional depth of the story.

The game also impresses with a greater variety of locations than the previous games. From haunting urban landscapes to intimate, well-detailed interiors, each setting feels alive and richly layered. This attention to detail not only showcases the iterative improvements made since the earlier titles but also invites players to explore every nook and cranny, uncovering secrets that enrich the overarching narrative.

Speaking of narrative, Deception does a fantastic job of weaving together character development and story progression. The overarching storyline is compelling, drawing threads from the first three games while introducing new elements that deepen the lore. The character arcs are well-crafted, showcasing real growth and evolution that keep players invested in their journeys.

As we look ahead to the fifth installment, Deception lays a fantastic groundwork. The ending not only leaves you eager for more but also hints at exciting possibilities that could take the story in intriguing new directions. The stakes are higher than ever, and the potential for further development is tantalizing...

Added a positive review

Very much a Dave Gilbert game.
If you have played and enjoyed others, you'll probably enjoy this one too.
The puzzles aren't difficult, just very long, with a lot of steps, a lot of back and forth between locations and dialogues.
Make lots of saves, lots. There are a few spots where you can get softlocked if you make the wrong choice in a dialogue choice. Having a save at the start of that sequence to reload and start over again is much better than having to play the entire game again to get back to that spot. Autosaaves help, but may not always let you load back to a spot that will take you less time to replay. The game lets you save anywhere, with no apparent limit to the number of saves you can create. So use that feature.

If you want to get all achievements in a single playthrough- be sure to turn commentary on before you start the game at the beginning. It will have spoilers, but also some funny bloopers and info on small details and lore. If you don't want spoilers, play through the first time without commentary, and turn it on for the second playthrough (where you can also pick up any achievements you may have missed the first time).

There is a "supposed to play the games in *this* order group thought among some players. I played out of order and have no regrets, Each game is a stand-alone, so you can play them in any order, though some of the backstory and lore may not make as much sense. You do you and make your own decision on what order you play the series of 5 games in, or if you just want to play one or a few of them.

It's got some good snarky humor, that very familiar WadjetEye/Dave Gilbert art style and flow to it. I absolutely recommend it and all of the other games by WadjetEye/Dave Gilbert. But they are not for everyone- so YMMV.