Reviews

• gamedeal user

  Jul 27, 2014

  The sequel to Overture, Black Plague further tells the story of Philip which eventually comes to an end. In fact, it turns out, this is not the final episode (as Requiem includes further chapters) but for me it seemed like the final chapter of his adventure. The story now continues and tells us much, much more. Running and hiding is even more frequent and from this episode we can clearly see the couple of places that inspired Frictional Games to make Amnesia. The game is also somewhat longer. Since this is an essential part of a great survival horror trilogy, look for discount on the trilogy pack (if there's any) so that all episodes can be purchased at once. The story and gameplay are both well worth the ride!
• gamedeal user

  Nov 4, 2014

  Puzzles that actually make you think & Fear that prevents you from thinking straight. Approval. \(I_I)/
• gamedeal user

  Mar 8, 2015

  Well, as a second review, I want to make this as positive as can be. Penumbra points out the pefect imperfections of human nature. Dark areas with whispering, slithering, crawling and screaming in the background allows for a more "intimidating" experience. Enemies are fuel for nightmares, conjured up from the fears of fellow humans. The general atmosphere will make your heart pound and make you sweat. The good ol' fashioned jumpscares (how few they are) will last in your memories and well, deep into your dreams. Nightmares* excuse me. Now, the ONE (1) bad thing I had was not game-ruining; a simple lighting error with the shader. A simple fix of course. Lower the shader resolution to medium. Bing, bang you're back in action! If you left in the first place. My computer is nothing close to a gaming rig, however, Penumbra runs at above 60fps with hardly (meaning none) any lag ingame, don't be deterred if you're using a less-than-perfect machine. 10/10 would rebuy, reinstall and replay it over and over.
• gamedeal user

  Apr 13, 2015

  This is the kind of game you'll have to play with a pair of headphones and no source of light because only then you'll experience its true power. The game's overall story is deep, unpredictable and intriguing, making it very interesting, which is a big plus for a horror game. (It even has a few emotional moments!) Even though at the beginning there is a short recap of the events that took place in Overture, I highly recommend playing the first game first in order to have a full understanding of the story. (You can only buy the package containing both games, so why not give it a try?) Both games are similar in terms of gameplay, but Black Plague improves a lot on about every aspect of the first game, making it more solid. There is no direct way of fighting with the enemies in this installment, so the combat system, which, in my opinion, wasn't that awful, should no longer be a problem for those who complained about it. Another important aspect of the game are puzzles: being the second episode, Black Plague is also filled with intelligent puzzles that require reading (in-game "notes") and thinking, but this time they are just a little easier than those found in Overture. The graphics may be a little outdated, but there's nothing to worry about because it doesn't break the immersion; they are decent and have successfully created a terrifying atmosphere that will constantly make you scared of the unknown. (For that to work at its full potential, I recommend lowering the gamma a bit, until you can't see anything in places without any source of light.) With its impressive sound design and voice acting (at least for a low-budget game), the developers managed to create their own world filled with few, but believable characters. For such a low price, I can recommend the Penumbra games without a doubt! This package is a must-have for every horror enthusiast, as it delivers a frightening experience!
• gamedeal user

  Jul 1, 2015

  I can totally recommend this game to all horror fans(that arent searching for action horror) and everyone that liked the predecessor. Thick atmosphere, creepy experience. Good and clever puzzles without being too hard, but more challenging than in Amnesia. You can tell some good thought went into the puzzle design. The unkillable enemies arent as annoying as I expected, you can handle them with a bit effort or run from then in most cases. Story is also intriguing, finally you can make something out of it, more clear than in the first part. Furthermore, really appreciate the way the story is told: Reading notes, checking logs etc. Very fitting for a game like that. Graphics arent too hot, especially for today standards, but you cant really say it aged bad. Enemy animations look a bit clunky, but overall the whole thing works for an atmospheric horror game like this. Afaik there is no way for steam to get German language for all the text, which might be an issue for some people.
• gamedeal user

  Jul 17, 2015

  When in doubt, throw a brick at something.
• gamedeal user

  Sep 26, 2015

  Holy crap! Age hasn't slowed this game down one bit. It's still just as unsettling as ever. I remember playing a demo of it awhile ago and thinking that the lighting effects were really impressive, and they still are honestly. The game runs just fine on modern machines as well, so you can purchase without fear of having to do some compatibility mode nonsense.
• gamedeal user

  Oct 9, 2016

  DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT PLAY IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED PENUMBRA: OVERTURE FIRST pretty much anything i can tell you about this game would be a spoiler for the plot of the first game. that being said, it has improved on the first game in many ways; the puzzles are harder, the enemies are harder, the plot is more developed, and it is arguably more terrifying than the first. if you HAVE already played the first game, then there is no need for me to convince you to buy it, you will already be needing to play it after the massive cliff-hanger at the end of the first.
• gamedeal user

  May 25, 2017

  Great game. Played pirated version, bought it on steam just to support developers. 10/10
• gamedeal user

  May 30, 2017

  The first game in the series, Penumbra Overture, was still fun but it loses it's fear factor when you realise the only threat in the game are the dogs and once you trap/kill them your completely safe. Black Plague is the golden crown of the series and shows how masterful Frictional are at creating unsettling atmosphere. Pros - Fun - Good story - Great atmosphere - Horrifying moments - That stupid jumpscare when you walk past that certain door for a second or third time Cons - Dated graphics (though still pretty good) - Leads into Requiem - Clarence 9/10