Black Paradox Review

Throwback

When I downloaded Black Paradox by Fantastico Studio, I was expecting a classic throwback and nothing more. The cyberpunk pixel graphics and synthwave soundtrack drew me to the game with their throwback vibes. However, even though I felt like I was playing a 1980’s arcade game, what I experienced was a contemporary twist on the space shooter genre. I was never into shooters, so discovering this action-packed title opened a whole new world of gaming I didn’t know could be so fun.

Fantastically Smooth

You are Black Paradox, an outer space bounty hunter set out to destroy a group of space warlords called the Hellraisers. Each level consists of making your way through space, shooting up every enemy and obstacle that comes your way. Rocks, bullets, spaceships, and bombs are coming at you from every angle.

At the end of each level, you are met with one of the warlords and it’s your job to take them down. You move your ship around by tapping the left side of the screen and to shoot bullets you must tap the right side. The player can obtain power-ups, different guns, and health by double-tapping the objects as they appear. You swipe up and down to switch between the weapons you receive throughout each level. Whether you like rapid fire or something more explosive, the title gives the player plenty of options to explore. The concept is simple, but the smooth and effortless execution is what makes this title so great.

Black Paradox does a great job of making the levels challenging enough but not impossible to beat. I never felt bored or like giving up during the gameplay. You start each level with only your basic weapon and gather power-ups as you go. However, you get to keep the cash you obtain and can upgrade your ship as time goes on. All of this depends, though, on how well you perform during each level. This has the effect of driving that competitive spirit in gamers, adding replay value to each level.

The Twist

That’s not the only thing that Black Paradox has to offer. What stood out to me about this title is that even if you fail and restart a level, you never feel like your grinding through the game. Each time you die, the level resets and the layout is different. However, the difficulty and challenges remain the same. It offers an entirely new experience everything time, leaving the game feeling fresh every moment you play.

Black Paradox is more than a throwback to the roguelike arcade shooter. It’s a modernized piece of art that can stand on its own against the classics. The title is only 4.49 USD on the play store and doesn’t require any in-game transactions or add watching that would break your immersion in the game. It’s absolutely worth the price tag.