Black Future ’88 PC review – the future’s looking bright

by

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.4.3″ module_alignment=”center” height_last_edited=”off|desktop” max_height=”1000px” max_height_tablet=”1000px” max_height_phone=”” max_height_last_edited=”on|tablet”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title title=”off” meta=”off” featured_placement=”background” _builder_version=”4.4.3″ module_alignment=”center” height=”1000px” height_tablet=”402px” height_phone=”250px” height_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_height=”1000px” max_height_tablet=”1000px” max_height_phone=”” max_height_last_edited=”on|phone”][/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.3″ background_color=”#f2f5ef” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.1″ width=”64%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width_last_edited=”off|tablet” custom_margin=”|auto||auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|auto||auto|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|6%|0px|6%|false|true”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.1″][et_pb_post_title comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.4.4″ title_font=”|700|||||||” title_font_size=”53px” title_line_height=”1.2em” meta_font=”Titillium Web|600|||||||” meta_text_color=”#000000″ meta_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||30px|||” title_font_size_tablet=”42px” title_font_size_phone=”26px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop”][/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_social_media_follow use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”25px” _builder_version=”4.4.1″ text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”||0px|||”][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”facebook” url=”https://www.facebook.com/walagames” _builder_version=”4.4.1″ background_color=”#3b5998″ follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]facebook[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”twitter” url=”https://twitter.com/walawalagames” _builder_version=”4.4.1″ background_color=”#00aced” follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]twitter[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][et_pb_social_media_follow_network social_network=”instagram” url=”https://www.instagram.com/walawalagames/” _builder_version=”4.4.1″ background_color=”#ea2c59″ follow_button=”off” url_new_window=”on”]instagram[/et_pb_social_media_follow_network][/et_pb_social_media_follow][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.4.1″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width_last_edited=”off|tablet” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|auto||auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|auto||auto|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|6%||6%|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=””][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.1″][et_pb_tabs active_tab_background_color=”#e02b20″ inactive_tab_background_color=”#000000″ active_tab_text_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.4.3″ tab_text_color=”#ffffff” body_line_height=”1.4em” tab_font=”Titillium Web|||on|||||” border_width_all=”0px”][et_pb_tab title=”Affiliate Notice” _builder_version=”4.4.3″ background_color=”#ffffff” background_enable_color=”on”]

You may see our partner affiliate links throughout this article.

These partnerships do not influence the content we produce. However, we may earn a commission from the products you purchase through these links. What we earn goes towards maintaining the website, weekly giveaways, and our regular stream of content.?Learn More

[/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”TL;DR” _builder_version=”4.4.3″ background_color=”#ffffff” background_enable_color=”on”]

Too Long; Didn’t Read

Black Future ?88 proves that you can take an old side-scrolling formula and make it unique and refreshing again.

[/et_pb_tab][/et_pb_tabs][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.3″ header_2_font_size=”30px” header_font_size_tablet=”39px” header_font_size_phone=”” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” header_2_font_size_tablet=”” header_2_font_size_phone=”30px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”]

Side scrollers have been considered one of the lamentable carry-overs from the early days of gaming. Not only have we?ve seen this style of gameplay during the 8-bit days, but we continue to see them with mediocre regularity. The reason? By and large, it?s one of the easiest genres to program, and both publisher and developer have abused this matter with hordes of lousy platforming games that have poisoned the genre.

But if the efforts of indie developer SUPERSCARYSNAKES are any indication, then this workhorse of a genre still has some life left to it. Their challenging and innovative game, Black Future ?88, reminds us that any genre can be revived if you put in enough care and creativity to it. The premise is as follows: The world is reeling post a nuclear fallout caused by a demented architect by the name of Duncan.

You play as one of five characters tasked with taking this bad boy down. Sound easy enough, right? In theory, it should be, but in the world of video games, nothing is easy. You see, Duncan, is holed up at the very top of a tower and your job is to climb to the top -literally- and take this nut case out once and for all.

The goal of the game is to get to the top. So just keep jumping!

Party like it’s 1988

I?ve heard many impressions about the game from people who have played it, and some have even gone so far as to say it combines every genre of gaming into one incredible experience. While I do agree it offers a unique twist, it doesn?t nearly go that far. Black Future is a side scroller in the truest sense. Just as in nearly every platformer since the beginning of time, you?ll run, jump, shoot, and sneak through traps as you gradually make your way from one end to the other. The interesting design here is that instead of going left to right, you?ll be heading left then right, then straight up.

The concept isn’t unique, but the care and attention paid to this simple formula are what makes the game such a treat. Instead of a traditional health bar, your character?s life is determined by the time it takes you to complete a level. Once the timer runs out, the timer in your character?s little heart runs out as well. But fear not, you?re given an enormous amount of weaponry that would make most third world countries wet their pants. From lasers to missile launchers, to swords, axes, and cannons, you?ll be well-armed to take on any of the minions Duncan tries to throw at you.

Although Black Future?s platforming design isn?t terribly original, it makes up for it in sheer production value. The actual level designs are impressive and you can expect to find a good mix of traps and puzzles that will allow you to get past a level without too much frustration. Again, the storyline is paper-thin, but compared to other games of this genre, it?s a welcome addition that is tied into each level quite well. As you progress further into the game, the simple story contributes to a genuine sense of progress each time you move forward and up. Additionally, the graphics help give the game incredible charm that, quite frankly, hasn?t been seen in a side scroller in some time. Black Future ?88 boasts impressive colored lighting effects, solid character animation, and smooth transitions between level to level. Even better, the artistic design of the environment and the backgrounds is delightful. The charming characters combined with the perfectly matched soundtrack had me excited from start to finish. This was one of the few titles where I knew that review or no review, I had to finish this game.

As enjoyable as it is, Black Future is not without its share of problems. First, the boss fights can be a real pain in the butt if you don?t pick up certain weapon drops before the encounter. Second, the visuals are awesome, but not the clutter. Everything whizzes by you followed by huge explosions that oftentimes make it difficult to follow where your character is. Third, you can play via co-op but I was never able to connect with friends due to the game locking up as soon as anyone joined in. Thankfully, the single-player experience ran flawlessly. Despite my nitpicking, I really enjoyed my time with this game and have high hopes that we will see a sequel in the not so distant future.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Overall Score: 80%” use_icon=”on” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ header_font=”Archivo Black|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”24px” header_letter_spacing=”5px” background_color=”#e02016″ hover_enabled=”0″ header_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0.13em” header_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0.15em” header_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0.17em” header_text_shadow_color=”#000000″ border_width_all=”2px” box_shadow_style=”preset4″ box_shadow_horizontal=”8px” box_shadow_vertical=”9px” box_shadow_spread=”-1px” box_shadow_color=”#4f4f54″][/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_cta title=”You Could Be Our Next Winner!” button_url=”https://docs.google.com/document/d/15FNTk8TIZrVnAIcEdM_l54yaoDGR1yxCg6WcBz7MHXE/edit” button_text=”Join Giveaway!” _builder_version=”4.4.3″ header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”33px” body_text_color=”#ffffff” background_color=”#2b2b2b” background_image=”https://walawala.games/files/AdobeStock_300575529-scaled.jpeg” button_alignment=”center” background_layout=”light”]

Don’t miss your chance to win one of our weekly Wala Wala Giveaways?? no strings attached whatsoever. GLHF!

[/et_pb_cta][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.3″ text_text_color=”#3a3a3a” header_2_font_size=”30px” header_font_size_tablet=”39px” header_font_size_phone=”” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” header_2_font_size_tablet=”” header_2_font_size_phone=”30px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”]

Wala Wala Games partners with various affiliates. We may earn a commission from the products you purchase through these links. Learn More

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=”4.4.1″ title_font=”|600|||||||” title_text_color=”#ff0707″][/et_pb_post_nav][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.4.1″][et_pb_signup mailchimp_list=”Wala Wala Games|1ec9bc2d55″ name_field=”on” use_custom_fields=”on” title=”Join Our Newsletter!” description=”

Your favorite content, bundled and packaged and delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe for weekly updates on our reviews, posts, and giveaways.

” footer_content=”

We’ll never share your info. We’ll never spam. We’ll never hold you hostage ? you can unsubscribe at any time!

” use_spam_service=”on” recaptcha_list=”add_new_account” recaptcha_site_key=”6LcDP-sUAAAAABm1HUwVVlV3JsNyeVQQ-xdc3MLo” recaptcha_secret_key=”6LcDP-sUAAAAAFvhyOwH_FvYyWcNbD0BlMYCnfEw” _builder_version=”4.4.3″ header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”22px” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#ffffff” body_line_height=”1.4em” background_color=”#14151a” background_image=”https://walawala.games/files/AdobeStock_300575529-scaled.jpeg”][/et_pb_signup][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.4.3″ background_color=”#ffffff” background_enable_image=”off” custom_padding=”3%||3%||true|false”]

[the_ad_group id=”11″]
[/et_pb_code][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x