I had the chance to experience Black State for twenty minutes, and I got the gist of it: it’s a lot of fun.
Game visuals can be quite amusing. On one side, playing visually stunning games can be very captivating. On the flip side, that doesn’t really matter if the gameplay isn’t enjoyable.
I got to try the game at gamescom 2025 at Nvidia, and now I have a clearer understanding. My takeaway: The visuals are ultimately just a minor aspect here, and the game itself has significant potential for fun.
Black State in action: You can witness what unfolds when a player who has primarily engaged in League of Legends and indie games for years tries a fast-paced shooter again in my Black State gameplay video here (and yes, I missed the robots):
The visuals are impressive, but in the end, it (almost) doesn’t matter
Due to the relative obscurity of the Turkish studio Motion Blur behind Black State, there were questions following the announcement about a year ago: Can a game that appears so polished truly be produced by an unknown developer?
While certainty is never guaranteed, I now feel quite assured in this instance: Yes, Motion Blur can deliver. On one hand, due to the growing amount of new content. On the other, from my own experiences with the game at gc 2024 and 2025.
What I also realized after playing it yesterday is that I quickly overlooked the visuals while gaming because the gameplay was so enjoyable.
Quick and inventive
On one side, Black State feels incredibly fast and seamless. On the other, I have a wealth of gear and choices to tailor my strategy.
It remains to be seen how effectively it will be possible to navigate through the game in a stealthy manner. Nevertheless, there are possibilities for this, such as quietly eliminating multiple foes simultaneously and utilizing gadgets that render the bodies of slain enemies invisible to avoid detection.
Overall, however, the weapons and gadgets available to me in the gameplay demo lean more towards a “I’m Rambo, and I’ll power through the levels like Rambo!” strategy.
But even if a quiet and cautious approach isn’t ultimately significant, I’m confident I’ll have a blast with Black State.
The perfect blend makes it all
Black State presents a diverse array of weapons, from traditional assault rifles to firearms that discharge sticky explosive projectiles and one-shot lasers. There are also gadgets like damage and stun drones that roll towards enemies, complemented by a bullet time mode.
During my short gameplay session, I found it a bit frustrating to frequently switch to a distinct selection menu. However, this could potentially (and hopefully) be resolved more efficiently through customizable controls.
Ultimately, the key aspect will be how well a smooth gameplay loop can be established. And whether, alongside the stylish visuals, the narrative and the portal mechanics with doors that consistently transport me to other regions will function effectively.
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