Indie games have become a major force in PC gaming, with titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hades 2, and Dispatch drawing widespread attention. Blackwood, a cinematic third-person action game set in New York in 2012, follows Anton Blackwood, a seemingly ordinary DVD store owner who leads a double life as an assassin. During a preview at Gamescom 2026, players were able to experience Act 1, offering a glimpse into the game’s potential. Developed by AttritoM7 Productions, Blackwood aims to blend gun-fu action with stylish combat, featuring explosive enemy takedowns, intense gunfights, and dynamic maneuvers. The game draws inspiration from classic martial arts and gun-fu films, particularly John Wick, and incorporates elements from older titles like Dead to Rights and Max Payne. Players can choose between a more aggressive, action-packed playstyle with a variety of takedowns or a tactical approach focused on headshots. The game’s standout feature is the seamless transition between hand-to-hand combat and gunplay, reminiscent of iconic moments from John Wick movies. However, some aspects of the combat feel unpolished. Hand-to-hand encounters suffer from bugs and stiff animations, while controlling Anton can be frustrating at times—some button prompts fail to respond when the player is in cover, and enemies can easily flank the player, leading to unexpected deaths. The weapon recoil is well-designed, but the reticle can be hard to control, and the ultrawide field of view requires some adjustment. Audio issues also arise in certain situations, with some combat sounds and NPC dialogue feeling out of place. This is particularly noticeable during an early mission in a subway station. Despite these flaws, Blackwood is not launching in early access. Instead, the remaining acts will be released for free to existing owners, with Act 2 scheduled for March 2027 and Act 3 set for September 2027 on Steam. Developers hope that with future updates, they can address the game’s rough edges and refine the experience. Blackwood shows a lot of promise and could stand out among the best indie games, but it currently has some rough spots that need refinement.