The Black Masses, developed and published by Brilliant Game Studios, is an open-world first-person RPG that sets its sights on delivering scale above all else. It places players on a vast, isolated island overtaken by a mysterious curse that has transformed its population into enormous swarms of undead. What immediately separates the game from others in the genre is its defining technical ambition—the ability to render and simulate thousands of enemies at once. This is not just a visual gimmick but the foundation of the entire experience, shaping how players explore, fight, and survive in a world that feels persistently hostile.
Exploration plays a central role in the game, with a large open island that encourages players to move freely and discover its various locations at their own pace. The inclusion of a parkour-like movement system adds a sense of mobility that is crucial for survival, allowing players to climb structures, traverse rooftops, and use vertical space to avoid being overwhelmed. This freedom of movement creates moments where escaping danger feels just as important as confronting it, giving the game a dynamic rhythm that alternates between cautious exploration and frantic evasion. However, while the scale of the world is impressive, its design can feel somewhat sparse, with areas that lack the density or variety needed to make exploration consistently rewarding.
Combat is presented through a first-person perspective and focuses primarily on melee engagements, supported by a basic progression system that allows players to improve their abilities over time. As players invest in skills such as strength or stamina, they gradually become more capable of handling larger groups of enemies. Early encounters can feel tense and dangerous, as even small groups of enemies pose a significant threat. Over time, however, the combat system reveals its limitations. The mechanics are relatively straightforward, and while they function well enough, they do not offer a great deal of variety. This can lead to repetition, especially when facing similar types of enemies across extended play sessions.
The game’s most striking feature remains its large-scale enemy encounters. Facing hundreds of enemies at once creates a sense of chaos and urgency that few games manage to replicate. Watching waves of undead flood an area, forcing players to think quickly about positioning and escape routes, can be genuinely exhilarating. These moments highlight the game’s potential, showcasing what makes it unique within the genre. At the same time, they also expose some of its technical challenges. Performance can fluctuate during these large encounters, with occasional stuttering or instability that can interrupt the flow of gameplay and diminish the impact of these otherwise impressive scenes.
In terms of presentation, The Black Masses delivers a mixed experience. The sheer number of enemies and the scale of the environment are notable achievements, but the visual detail of the world itself can feel inconsistent. Some areas appear underdeveloped, with repetitive assets and limited environmental storytelling. The narrative, while present, is relatively minimal and does not play a major role in driving the experience forward. Instead, the focus remains on gameplay and exploration, which may leave players looking for a deeper or more engaging story somewhat unsatisfied.
Another factor that shapes the experience is the game’s overall level of polish. While it has evolved over time, it still retains elements that feel unfinished or lacking refinement. Certain systems, such as crafting or world interaction, are either basic or underutilized, contributing to a sense that the game’s broader potential has not been fully realized. These shortcomings do not entirely detract from the experience, but they do highlight the gap between the game’s ambitious concept and its execution.
Ultimately, The Black Masses stands out as a bold and experimental project that prioritizes scale and spectacle over depth. It offers moments of genuine excitement, particularly when players are navigating massive hordes and using the environment to their advantage. However, its repetitive combat, uneven world design, and technical limitations prevent it from fully capitalizing on its strengths. It is a game that succeeds in demonstrating an intriguing idea, even if it does not completely deliver on everything that idea promises.
Rating: 6/10
