The Blackwell Convergence is the third installment in indie game developer Dave Gilbert's well-written ghostly mystery series. As in the earlier two games, the emphasis is on character, dialog, and a compelling story line rather than snazzy graphics or slick special effects.
Medium Rosangela Blackwell, the protagonist in the first installment in the series, and her spirit guide Joey Mallone are faced with a series of seemingly unconnected events that are somehow part of a larger, sinister mystery. You move with Rosa and Joey through the game, switching between characters to take advantage of each one's unique abilities. Pay close attention to the dialog and watch closely for clues to solve the mystery.
The game is more like an interactive mystery story than a traditional adventure game--but the story is engrossing and the dialog is well written and well acted. The original music is superb, and the background graphics are gorgeous, but the character animation is just as blocky as in the earlier games.
If you aren't familiar with The Blackwell Legacy and Blackwell Unbound, you may want to at least play the demos before you dive into The Blackwell Convergence. Prior knowledge of the saga's storyline isn't necessary, but it enriches the experience.
Fans of the Blackwell games will be delighted by the recent installment in the series, and casual players will enjoy it as well. Hardcore gamers who are more interested in fast action and high-end graphics than old-fashioned storytelling, however, should look elsewhere.
--Kim Saccio-Kent
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