Blackhole (video game)

Blackhole is a 2D puzzle-platformer in which the player controls a character named Endo, a crew member of the spaceship Aurora, who must navigate a series of levels set inside a black hole. The core mechanic involves the ability to shoot a 'black hole' projectile that creates a gravitational field, altering the trajectory of objects and the player's own movement. Players must use this mechanic to solve puzzles, avoid hazards, and reach the exit portal.

The game features over 100 levels spread across multiple chapters, each introducing new mechanics such as anti-gravity zones, teleporters, and moving platforms. The difficulty curve is steep, with later levels requiring precise timing and creative use of gravity manipulation. The game also includes a 'hardcore' mode that removes checkpoints, increasing the challenge for experienced players.

The story of Blackhole is presented through text-based dialogue and environmental storytelling. The Aurora, a spaceship, is pulled into a black hole, and the crew is scattered. Endo, the protagonist, must traverse the black hole's interior, which is depicted as a surreal, gravity-defying landscape. Along the way, he encounters other crew members and uncovers the mystery of the black hole's origin. The narrative explores themes of isolation, memory, and the nature of reality, with multiple endings depending on the player's actions.

Blackhole was developed by FiolaSoft Studio, a small independent team based in Finland. The game was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2015, raising over €30,000. The developers cited influences from classic puzzle-platformers like Braid and Limbo. The game was initially released for PC in February 2017, and a Nintendo Switch version followed in March 2018. The Switch version included touch-screen support and HD Rumble features.

Blackhole received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its challenging puzzles, atmospheric art style, and original gameplay mechanic. On Metacritic, the PC version holds a score of 74/100, indicating mixed or average reviews, while the Switch version holds 78/100. Critics noted that the game's difficulty might be off-putting for casual players, but appreciated the sense of accomplishment from solving complex puzzles. The game was nominated for the 'Best Puzzle Game' award at the 2017 Nordic Game Awards.

Blackhole includes a level editor that allows players to create and share their own puzzles, though this feature is not widely documented. The game's soundtrack, composed by Finnish musician Juhani Jokinen, was released as a free download on Bandcamp. Additionally, the game features hidden 'data logs' that expand the lore, and some levels contain secret areas that are not required for completion. The game's title is a reference to the astronomical object, but the developers have stated that the black hole in the game is more of a metaphorical construct representing the protagonist's psyche.

Endo

The protagonist of Blackhole, a crew member of the spaceship Aurora.

Aurora

The spaceship that is pulled into the black hole at the start of the game.

Gravity projectile

The main gameplay mechanic, allowing the player to create a temporary gravitational field.