Summary
- Release Year: 2008
- Genres: Adventure, Indie, Puzzle
- Platforms: Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Frictional Games
- Publishers: Paradox Interactive
Penumbra: Black Plague (2008) Review
Penumbra: Black Plague is a first-person survival horror game developed by Frictional Games and released in 2008. It is the second game in the Penumbra series, and it follows the story of Philip, a physicist who is trapped in a dark and eerie underground facility.
The game is played from a first-person perspective, and the player controls Philip as he explores the facility, solves puzzles, and fights off monsters. The game’s environment is dark and oppressive, and the player is constantly on edge, never knowing what is lurking around the next corner.
The puzzles in Penumbra: Black Plague are challenging but fair, and they require the player to use their wits and observation skills to solve them. The game also features a number of stealth sections, in which the player must avoid being detected by monsters.
The combat in Penumbra: Black Plague is tense and unforgiving. Philip is armed with a flashlight and a variety of melee weapons, but he is no match for the monsters in a straight fight. The player must use stealth and strategy to avoid being killed.
Penumbra: Black Plague is a masterclass in survival horror. The game’s atmosphere is oppressive and terrifying, and the puzzles are challenging and rewarding. The combat is tense and unforgiving, and the player is constantly on edge, never knowing what is lurking around the next corner.
Story
Penumbra: Black Plague takes place in the same underground facility as the first game in the series, Penumbra: Overture. Philip, the protagonist of the first game, has escaped from the facility and is now searching for his missing friend, Clarence.
Philip’s search leads him back to the facility, where he discovers that it has been overrun by monsters. Philip must fight his way through the monsters and solve a series of puzzles in order to find Clarence and escape from the facility.
The story of Penumbra: Black Plague is told through a series of flashbacks and cutscenes. The flashbacks reveal Philip’s past and his relationship with Clarence. The cutscenes advance the story and provide the player with new information about the facility and the monsters that inhabit it.
Gameplay
Penumbra: Black Plague is a first-person survival horror game. The player controls Philip as he explores the facility, solves puzzles, and fights off monsters.
The game’s environment is dark and oppressive, and the player is constantly on edge, never knowing what is lurking around the next corner. The player must use their flashlight to navigate the environment and to spot monsters.
The puzzles in Penumbra: Black Plague are challenging but fair, and they require the player to use their wits and observation skills to solve them. The game also features a number of stealth sections, in which the player must avoid being detected by monsters.
The combat in Penumbra: Black Plague is tense and unforgiving. Philip is armed with a flashlight and a variety of melee weapons, but he is no match for the monsters in a straight fight. The player must use stealth and strategy to avoid being killed.
Reception
Penumbra: Black Plague received critical acclaim upon release. The game was praised for its atmosphere, puzzles, and combat. It was also nominated for a number of awards, including the BAFTA Award for Best Game.
Penumbra: Black Plague is a must-play for fans of survival horror games. It is a masterclass in营造氛围and building tension, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Score: 8.5/10
Pros:
- Oppressive and terrifying atmosphere
- Challenging and rewarding puzzles
- Tense and unforgiving combat
- Well-written story
Cons:
- Some of the puzzles can be frustrating
- The game can be very dark at times, which can make it difficult to see
- The combat can be unforgiving at times
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
