Adventure games are kind of in a rut. However, every so often, fans of the genre are given a tidbit of joy to hold in their hands; a game that can take the best aspects of adventure and utilize them in their own unique way. And while not perfect, Black Plague is a great example of this type of adventure done right. Although the series started last year with a prequel entitled Overture, Frictional Games' second attempt is much a better game overall and should come as a breath of fresh air to both series veterans and newcomers alike.

If you've never played Overture, then you'll have to come to terms with both the cliffhanger ending and a story that came to a grinding halt when Philip, the series' main character, was knocked unconscious at the end of the game. The narrative picks up where that left off, and soon enough, things revolve around Philip investigating a subterranean lair in Greenland. And although the story has something to do with some unknown infection, everything flows in an incredibly logical fashion. Unlike other adventure games which require players to act as basic pickpockets or solve puzzles using items they found many hours before, Black Plague does a great job of allowing you to play the game without those cheap gimmicks. Philip is merely trying to escape this treacherous and decidedly creepy base using the same kind of logic any normal person might in the same situation.

Black Plague provides a brief but immersive adventure.

The game's controls accent this even more. Philip truly exists, and each move made must be calculated and thought out. Players must take into account things as simple as not stepping on the plank they are carrying or understanding that certain items can only be moved or pulled in a certain way. Actions are made more realistic as the mouse becomes an extension of Philip himself. Doors and drawers are opened by clicking the handle or knob and pulling backwards with the mouse. Wheels have a similar concept behind them, in that the mouse must be rotated in the proper direction to interact with it. There are some issues that can arise from this control scheme, such as boards that seem to get stuck easily on the ground or when the mouse seems to feel just a little too touchy. Still, the player really feels as if Philip is a part of this world instead of just a bodiless, floating entity that can magically manipulate his environment.

As briefly mentioned before, one of the most inane and frustrating things that exist in adventure games is the useless need to pick up everything in sight. In Black Plague there are no gimmicks; no branches collected hours before that must be taped together to make a ladder or any of the other typical conventions of this genre. It actually can be an issue for purists though, because never before have puzzle clues been laid out so clearly. Even after the first few, when players may search for catchy things that push the game along, it can often be a hard concept to wrap your mind around given how different it is from the norm. That makes the game far more interesting from a logical standpoint because you really only need to think as far ahead as the next puzzle. It's a dramatic departure from the status quo and although it is far from perfect, it's refreshing to have a mechanic that makes so much sense finally find its way into an adventure game.

Perhaps the best thing about a game developed by a smaller developer is that they are far more willing to go back and change mechanics that work poorly. Overture's combat and stealth system was horrendous and was one of the largest problems in that game. Although these segments still exist, they are toned down and changed enough to make Black Plague feel fresh. Moreover, the enemies faced are not some endless onslaught but rather perfectly placed to make a player jump at the right times while not smashing them over the head with their existence. Sentries will pop up when they are least expected, or an enemy will need to be avoided in the shadows, which both helps add to the immersion. Although combat still exists, Black Plague allows players to solve puzzles without being forced into constant battle and this is a welcome change.

What may be lacking in raw technical fidelity is made up by some fantastic ambient sound.

In terms of visuals, Black Plague will blow no one away. Presumably due to the independent nature of the developers, things tend to look a few years behind the times. Thankfully though, they seemingly knew this and went out of their way to emphasize an incredible ambience. Because Philip finds himself fumbling through dark corridors most of the time, the graphics are not nearly as important as the sound, which is remarkable. Distant noises immerse players into the game, while whispers and strange noises, along with music that is similarly creepy, works wonders to draw players in immediately. Even in its brevity, Black Plague stands as a testament to the ability that ambient audio can make even a lower budget game better.

It should be noted that Black Plague will easily be beaten in around four and half hours by any adventure game veteran. Even those unfamiliar with the genre will find, after getting through the initial learning curve, that the game goes by far too quickly. Because of the size of the team and its publisher, it's amazing that so much effort was placed on elements like sound, but it definitely worked in their favor. Graphically, the game is slightly dated and the gameplay itself is far from flawless, but the ambience will draw you in instantly and there's some fun to be had here. Unfortunately, because of its length, even at the price of $20, this can be a bit of a tough purchase for non-adventure fans. Still, Penumbra: Black Plague stands out as one of the better adventure games to be released in quite some time.