Blackwood Crossing is a paid adventure experience from Vision Games Publishing. This story-driven single-person game follows a fun and emotional story between orphaned siblings, Finn and his older sister Scarlet. After a chance encounter with a mysterious figure, an ordinary trip becomes a magical, memorable adventure for everyone involved.

With a great story that reflects in the progression and dialogue, paired with a homely and warm design style, Blackwood Crossing is more of a touching and engaging sibling story instead of an action-packed kind of adventure. In some ways, it’s like A Plague Tale: Innocence, but without the difficulty.

A memorable sibling story

It’s safe to say that Blackwood Crossing has given the story such thought that following it across the playthrough becomes its own incentive. The dialogue is one point where the game excels very well, with most lines exchanged between characters adding something of value. Whether it’s about the character’s motivations or the story, you can’t miss every point of their conversation.

The game’s audio and video are also worth noting. For the graphics, it uses an art style similar to Bioshock: Infinite, which looks like a children’s animated movie at times. It features generous amounts of magic, each serving as a visual treat. All these graphics are accompanied by a great original soundtrack. Both graphics and music make their peak at the game’s surprise twist, adding to an already emotional climax.

In terms of gameplay, it has a short playthrough. Whether this is caused by limited content overall or the rollercoaster ride of a story it puts you on is for you to decide. You can actually finish the entire game in a few hours, with no replayability value. Also, it contains puzzles that can feel taxing, especially for people looking for a casual game to pass the time.

A definite must-try

If you are among those gamers who value story and substance over anything else, then Blackwood Crossing is a title you can’t miss. It tackles an issue relatable to most people, set against a backdrop that is particularly sad and heart-wrenching. With impressive graphics and an even more impressive soundtrack, it’s almost negligible that it’s a quick, one-time gaming experience. Recommended.