Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Black/Matrix delivers a richly layered strategy RPG experience that balances large-scale battles with story-driven sequences. Each encounter unfolds on an isometric grid, where positioning and timing are crucial to success. You command a party of angels—led by the protagonist Abel—and deploy them to outmaneuver demons, combine attacks, and exploit elemental weaknesses.

A standout feature is the blood magic system. Instead of conventional mana, your characters draw on the lifeblood of defeated foes to cast powerful spells. This resource mechanic forces you to weigh each blow: overextend and you may starve your casters of the vital essence needed for late-game encounters. It adds tension and depth to every skirmish.

Experience points are shared communally after each battle, allowing you to allocate growth however you see fit. This freedom encourages experimentation: you might bulk up your frontline bruisers one run, then invest heavily in your healers during the next. The result is a personalized roster that can adapt to shifting battle conditions and new strategies as the game unfolds.

The initial choice of master—among several demon lords each with unique skill trees—further enriches replayability. Every master imparts different passive bonuses and special attacks, so your opening decision ripples through the entire campaign. Combined with branching battle objectives and optional side missions, Black/Matrix offers a highly customizable tactical playground.

On the downside, the learning curve can be steep for SRPG newcomers. Early battles feel punishing until you master movement ranges, chaining attacks, and the nuances of blood cost. However, for players who relish minute control over unit placement and resource management, the system proves extremely rewarding.

Graphics

Black/Matrix embraces a dark, gothic art style that complements its theme of fallen angels and demonic overlords. Sprites are crisply drawn, with intricate armor details, flowing robes, and expressive animations that bring each character to life on the battlefield. When spells ignite, the screen bursts with crimson and violet hues that underscore the game’s blood magic motif.

Battlefields are rendered in isometric perspective, showcasing ruined cathedrals, obsidian towers, and hellish wastelands. Environmental details—cracking stone tiles, flickering braziers, and pools of blood—create an oppressive atmosphere that heightens the stakes. Despite the limited 2D palette, the developers use shading and layer effects to simulate depth and immersion.

Story segments appear as static portraits with dialogue boxes, punctuated by occasional animated cut-ins. While these vignettes lack modern cinematic flair, they convey character emotion effectively through bold color contrasts and dynamic poses. The UI is functional if somewhat dated, prioritizing clarity over flashiness with easily readable menus and tooltips.

Combat animations remain fluid even when multiple characters clash in the same grid space. Hit reactions, spell casts, and death sequences all play out smoothly without significant slowdown. The modest hardware requirements mean that players on older systems can enjoy a stable frame rate, though those expecting 3D extravagance may find the presentation minimalist.

Overall, Black/Matrix’s visuals may not compete with high-budget contemporary titles, but its stylized approach and attention to thematic detail deliver a memorable aesthetic. The dark, brooding color scheme and ornate character designs underscore the game’s narrative of sin and redemption.

Story

At its core, Black/Matrix spins a provocative tale of celestial defeat and infernal triumph. The cosmic battle between angels and demons has ended in the latter’s favor, inverting the traditional angelic ethos. Demons now dominate the world, recasting the seven deadly sins as virtues and reducing angels to enslaved outcasts.

You assume the role of Abel, an angelic soldier bound by duty and compassion. At the outset, you pledge fealty to one of several demon masters—each with their own philosophy and temperament. Yet when your chosen master is accused of ‘love,’ the highest sin in this new order, both of you are cast into a brutal prison designed to break divine spirits.

The narrative that follows weaves themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and moral inversion. As you guide Abel through labyrinthine dungeons and corrupted cathedrals, you unravel hidden truths about the seven sinful virtues and the motivations of your former masters. Dialogue choices and faction allegiances further color the path to redemption or damnation.

While the plot occasionally leans on familiar fantasy tropes—betrayals, hidden lineages, and sacrificial rites—it distinguishes itself through its bold reimagining of sin as beauty. Characters grapple with identity and faith in a world turned upside down, offering moments of genuine emotional weight and philosophical reflection.

The pacing balances intense battle sequences with quieter character interactions, though some players may find the story chapters disproportionately long relative to the skippable filler text. Nevertheless, for those invested in dark fantasy and moral quandaries, Black/Matrix delivers a compelling narrative journey.

Overall Experience

Black/Matrix stands out as a niche strategy RPG that marries a dark, imaginative story with robust tactical gameplay. Its unique blood magic system and flexible growth mechanics reward careful planning and experimentation, while multiple master choices and branching objectives ensure high replay value.

The game’s mature themes and gothic atmosphere may not appeal to everyone, particularly players seeking lighter or more straightforward fantasy narratives. The learning curve can be steep, and the presentation—while artistically consistent—lacks the polish and cinematic flair of modern big-budget RPGs.

For enthusiasts of classic turn-based strategy and dark world-building, however, Black/Matrix offers a deeply engaging experience. Its emphasis on moral inversion, strategic resource management, and character customization makes it a memorable journey through an underworld where sins become salvation.

In the end, Black/Matrix is best enjoyed by players willing to embrace its challenging mechanics and brooding aesthetic. If you’re drawn to tactical combat with a twist and a story that questions the nature of good and evil, this title deserves a place in your SRPG collection.

Retro Replay Score

null/10