1979 Revolution: Black Friday Reviews
As a historical narrative told through a personal perspective, 1979 Revolution: Black Friday is certainly a capable piece of media but as a video game, it quickly falls apart and simply doesn't feel finished.
Ink Stories should be congratulated on their tackling of a much misunderstood historical event and doing so with such accuracy, clarity and impartiality. However, with a glut of gameplay issues and a short game length that prevents the opportunity to explore some interesting ideas further, there's far too much incentive to give 1979 Revolution: Black Friday a miss. This is best viewed as an educational tool, rather than a satisfying interactive experience in its own right.
Certainly rough around the edges, 1979 Revolution: Black Friday still boasts enough heart to make it worth playing by any Telltale fans.
At its heart, this is a street-level view with a focus on people and their relationship more than the politics of the situation - which is saying something with the amount of historical content found within. It reveals a timeless truth that we would be careful to heed in our heightened cultural climate: the fires of revolution always burn hot, but they are uninhibited in who or what they consume.
By pushing for change in a slightly messy way, the game fittingly embodies its revolutionary namesake in a way that will hopefully encourage others to follow suit and improve upon what it has started.
If your goal when playing 1979 Revolution is escape and fun you’ll be sorely disappointed, but not all experiences have to have that purpose...
Despite the kinks, some of which may be ironed out in future installments, 1979 Revolution represents an unusual and largely successful mix of an adventure game and history lesson.
Were this release packed tighter with content it would be an easier recommendation. But, so long as game length and gameplay are not primary concerns, this story is worth considering for those eager for narrative-driven games, and who especially enjoy an interesting cast of characters,
Part historical documentary, part video game, 1979 Revolution: Black Friday is a solid foundation for a tension-filled story grounded in the reality of a confusing time.
A documentary in game form that allows the player to experience historical events authentically in a way no film could.
1979 Revolution: Black Friday is a fascinating perspective on a significant historical event that affects the world today. Despite clunky mechanics and sometimes awkward visuals, the title goes above and beyond regarding storytelling by incorporating real-life pieces of media, making a nuanced and varied story out of literal history that most people know nothing about.
1979 Revolution is a great game that tells us a story of Iranian Revolution. It made me research the topic as I couldn't understand changing liberal monarchy for islamic republic. This is the best that game based on historic event can do - make you read about the history.
Review in Polish | Read full review
1979 Revolution makes you think, and makes you thank whomever it is you believe in that the majority of us are born in a time and place of peace.
Other than a couple of chapters where loading times went up close to a minute before the next chapter would begin, I enjoyed my time with 1979 Revolution: Black Friday.
I do not think that this game’s flaws outweigh what it is trying to achieve after finishing it though.
1979 Revolution: Black Friday is a groundbreaking game, not in terms of gameplay, but in its depiction of real historical events in an accurate, thoughtful manner, and its exploration of a genre rarely touched by video games.
1979 Revolution: Black Friday will probably push people away and outrage others for its content. It’s not a feel-good type of game and not everyone may agree with the personal take of history that it provides.
Ink Stories' historical interactive drama recreates one of the most important events of the second half of the 20th century without choosing sides
Though rough in places, Revolution is an absorbing thriller that asks you to make tough choices and stand for something
Despite some inconsequential decision-making and visual roughness, the amount of heart, character, and unflinching honesty in 1979 Revolution’s short two-hour tale is impressive. As an Iranian-American myself, it’s incredibly refreshing to not only see this subject matter explored, but done so in a smart and sensitive way that succeeds in educating as much as entertaining.