PC Critic Reviews

This is an incredible game. It's got fun, innovative gameplay, great writing, entertaining VO, a frightening atmosphere, and even manages to provoke deep thought. P:BP is a perfect example of exactly why I play videogames.

If you’re one of those who don’t get moved by the atmosphere and lyrical construction of the game, know this – it’s without a doubt a very good sequel, and the standard it set will make it very hard for Requiem, the last episode, to live up to the Penumbra name.

Black Plague ends the story that began in Overture, and it does the job pretty nicely. Black Plague is more than just a polished version of Overture. Leaving out all the combat was a smart move and makes the game much more scarier. The puzzles are decent and even though there are clichees in the story, it has enough twists to make the story feel not worn-out. In my opinion, Penumbra duology is one of the best horror-adventures available for PC at the moment. [Mar 2008]

Black Plague's success is the result of its individual components. It's a good game that is unique, refreshing, and fun to play. As far as the adventure game genre goes, it's definitely in a class by itself.

Penumbra: Black Plague combines puzzles and horror to create a game that is probably unlike anything you've played. It's a little bit like a brain-training game, only between lessons you fray your nerves (in a good way) as you jump and pause at every little noise.

Plague is wonderfully engrossing, especially as Philip begins to lose his mind, exploring a surreal dream world where hands grow from walls and acquiring an inner voice that sounds like a Runyonesque gangster and wryly encourages Philip to take lethal risks.

Black Plague actually made me scream aloud in fright at one point. Even horror movies don't have that effect on my anymore. [July 2008, p.68]

Little touches like the ambient music and subtle film grain only add to the unsettling atmosphere, which is utilised via various plot devices almost as a weapon against your senses. Definitely worth a look if you like those kind of bleak horror movies that make you sleep with the light on.

The gameplay saw some nice improvements from the previous title and they only added to the fear factor.

Tying elements of survival/horror and adventure games to an enjoyable effect, Black Plague provides a surprisingly satisfying affair packed full of suspense for anybody willing to contemplate such a low profile release - although we wouldn't advise forking out 30 quid for it.