GoKawiilBlackwood: Act One launches with John Wick-style combat and DVD store sim mechanics
AttritoM7 Productions has released Blackwood: Act One on Steam, a hybrid action-life sim set in 2012 where players run a DVD rental store by day and carry out stylized gunfights by night. The roughly six-hour first act is priced at $25 (10% off until September 23) and includes access to two additional acts slated for 2027. Early impressions note clunky combat, shaky audio, and poor car handling despite promising ideas like weapon customization and Max Payne-inspired bullet time.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The game's episodic rollout highlights a broader tension in indie development between releasing polished content versus iterative early access, especially when technical issues undercut a strong concept at launch. Its blend of mundane simulation and stylized combat also reflects a growing trend of genre-mixing titles aiming to stand out in a crowded release calendar.
- Blackwood: Act One is out now on Steam, with acts two and three planned for 2027.
- The game combines a 1980s-set DVD store sim with John Wick-style combat sequences.
- Reviewers cite technical rough edges—clunky combat, poor car handling, and audio issues—despite creative potential.
Xbox Wireless Controller — If you're diving into indie action titles like Blackwood with its Max Payne-style bullet time and gunfights, a solid wireless controller makes all the difference for precision dodges and slow-mo dives. It pairs easily with PC via Steam for exactly the kind of action-sim hybrids covered here. A reliable, comfortable controller is a great companion for the wave of indie releases hitting Steam this season.
See Xbox Wireless Controller on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Kris Holt, 2026-09-19
Published there as: “John Wick as a DVD store operator, a roguelike take on Armored Core and other new indie games worth checking out”
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