I just finished it with Rank E, 24 hr 26 min of pure torment. You need nerves of steel to play and finish this game, it's very buggy, doesn't give you any clue, interactive objects don't glow (for example if you need a hammer it'll be just an ordinary hammer somewhere, it won't stand out anyhow) and mechanics are horrible, if you step 1 mm aside right or left from an interactive object it isn't interactive anymore. Shortly from technical viewpoint this game is 1/5, if we evaluate atmosphere, setting, dialogues etc. it's 5/5. In this PC version you can't run (about that below, it's important). Be warned about 2 things: 1) Ship's cannon: towards the end you have a mission to destroy 3 targets using a cannon, problem is you don't see the targets. I needed youtube and 1hr+ trial and error to complete it, you'll suffer too. 2) Many people on the internet write it's impossible to finish PC version because you can't run. WRONG, I did it this way: as soon as submarine missile cutscene ends I injected morphine (speeds you up a little), another dose I injected when I passed collapsed lab entrance. If you avoid boulders and walk error-free (in a few tries you'll remember what boulder falls where, your way is on the right side, keep close to the wall) you'll open the exit portal in time to escape. I used same strategy (morphine) to outrun Shoggoth in the factory. It has many other bugs too but as I said the atmosphere is brilliant, still worth playing if you're a Lovecraft fan.
This game is one of the best platformers I've ever played (incl. old consoles' games), 5/5 for me. If you love 2D platformers generally, it's a must-play. First of all it's just beautiful - visuals, music etc. everything about it. Controls are easy, you run with Shrift, Space - Jump, S - Attack, if you keep pushing Space in the air Rayman uses his ears like a propeller (some abilities aren't available from the start, you unlock them as you progress). It's perfectly fine to play this game with keyboard, you won't need a controller. The difficulty is well-balanced, it is difficult (especially if you want all the achievements) but not absurdly difficult, like some older 2D platformers I've encountered before.
Well, if you've come this far and have already played BM 1 and 2 of course you need to play this too, to find out how the story ends. It's made with the same engine as BM 2. The game looks and plays fine, the puzzles were difficult, there is one I still can't solve, don't understand the logic behind it (underwater elevator), others are difficult but doable more or less. I would like to thank again the developers of all 3 games for creating this point-and-click classic. Now I'm ready to try the newest one
I needed 45 hours of gameplay to finish the game with my first character, for me it was very difficult to understand the general logic and mechanics (what should I buy and what not, which skills should I upgrade etc.) but the game itself was so attractive that I kept grinding until I gained thorough knowledge of how to play. It's very good, very well made game overall. I don't like saving system, always remember the approx. time when you save before you quit, it will come in handy. The description of the game is true, based on what kind of character you create, your experience will be unique, youtube won't help you much even if you try to search something there and that for me was an additional bonus. To sum it up you'll need time to learn the game but you'll enjoy it, recommended.
I just finished replaying this game after a long, long time and I'm ready to write a review about it, no spoilers. Strangely enough my first Black Mirror was BM 2, I got so interested in the story I bought 1 and 3 after it, so BM 2 introduced me to this game series. Specifically about Black Mirror 2 now, compared to Black Mirror 1 the graphics, voice acting, variety of soundtracks and the technical side overall has improved. Also, neither of the 3 games need a monster PC to run, I consider it a big plus because I never had one. They have also added an option to highlight every interactive object on the screen, you don't have that in BM 1, so the second game might be just a little bit easier (but it's not easy, no). I couldn't do the piano puzzle because I have zero competence in music, otherwise I can't say any of the puzzles are technically undoable, there is some logic in all of them (I had to search for help 2 times even though I had finished the game already 7-8 years ago). Main character knows a lot about physics and chemistry, so I find the parts when you need to improvise and invent something very interesting, he's not a random dumb guy in his 20s. Special mention to Biddeford, the starting location. It's very well made, everything about it. I would've given 5 stars even if the game ended there and had a different name. Lastly, on Black Mirror 1 thread I saw many people complained about the pace and difficulty of it. Folks, when you enter a new location just once, from that moment on you need to double-click the location and you spawn there immediately, without having to watch how the character walks. Map is also very helpful and spawns the character where you want immediately, you just need to "manually" enter a new location for first time. If you find BM 1 too difficult you can start with BM 2, if you get interested in the story than you'll play BM 1 as a prequel, just don't give up.
This IS a masterpiece, in every sense of the word. I was so happy that I found all the three Black Mirrors (I haven't tried the newest one yet) on GOG, with every playing session my early 20's come back. If you love point-and-click adventures you'll love this game, if you don't I still suggest you try them. If you like games with an interesting storyline it's impossible not to like these gems. I've seen some negative comments about OST, couldn't disagree more, game's main theme played on piano (in Welsh manor of Gordon's if I'm not mistaken) and the creepy music when you assemble a photo of James gives me creeps every time I hear them. Just try it folks, all three Black Mirrors are worth your time and money. Lastly, the game is difficult, don't expect a straightforward storyline and easy puzzles here, you might get struck for months on a certain point of story without the slightest idea what to do next.
