Deep Black: Reloaded

	Digital Release	PC March 01, 2012 – Online, Desura April 17, 2012 – Steam Xbox 360 (as Deep Black: Episode 1) April 25, 2012 (AU, EU, NA) PlayStation 3 (as Deep Black) August 21, 2012 (AU, EU, NA)
	Delisting	September 2016 – Desura No later than 2020 – Online November 01, 2022 – Steam
	Developer	Biart
	Publisher	Strategy First (PC) 505 Games (Console)
	Available On	Digital PlayStation 3 (AU, EU, NA) Xbox 360 (AU, EU, NA) PC (Demo) [Archive] Retail PC (EU)
	Links	SteamDB page Desura page [Archive]

Delisting

Deep Black: Reloaded was initially delisted on Desura in September of 2016 when that service shut down. The Steam version would not be delisted until November 1st, 2022 after which an unexpected update to the game was released on November 28th. This update was likely an attempt to make the game playable again for existing owners but may have introduced more bugs than it fixed based on some Steam Community forum discussions. Compatibility issues appear to have plagued the PC releases of the game as far back as its original launch in 2012. This is likely the reason that Biart chose to finally delist the game on Steam.

The Deep Black website was excluded from Archive.org captures before 2020 but the game was reportedly available for sale there. Although it was likely removed from sale earlier, 2020 is when we know that the domain expired and the site was replaced removing any ability to purchase the game.

The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 releases remain available as of this writing in May of 2024. Peculiarly, the Xbox 360 release is known as Deep Black: Episode 1 and the PlayStation 3 release as simply Deep Black. Both games are cheaper than the PC releases were with the Xbox 360’s Episode 1 being the cheapest at $10. Episode 2 was announced for release in the Summer of 2012 but never materialized.

It is hard to say how much content is available in the console versions compared to the full price PC release. Comparisons of video footage (Steam vs. Xbox 360) indicates that all three versions are the same game but given the Episode 1 title and cheaper console prices it seems there may be some missing content in those releases. Another peculiarity is that the original PC demo of the game can still be downloaded (albeit very slowly) from the website’s Archive.org captures.

About the Game

The Deep Black : Reloaded is a video game in the “Action” genre (third person shooter). Deep Black features extensive gameplay (40 single player missions in 4 different environments) that offers a mix of terrestrial and underwater battles, which so far has no direct analogues in this genre in the global video games market.

The sci-fi project with detailed action-packed underwater combats will feature a new trend in TPS genre. Exciting gameplay suggests using both environments for combats: land and underwater.

The unique setting of Deep Black comprises an immersive story line, complex science-fiction mystery, espionage and bio-terror. The story line runs up in the nearest future in the world of unsteadiness, chaos, espionage, terrorism, desperate fight for world supremacy and possession of sophisticated biological weapon.

Usage of realistic physical effects in the underwater environment enforces players to feel all the deepness of fear and unpredictability of combats in Deep Black.

Players will take to the murky depths armed with a wrath of underwater equipment from specialized underwater suit with jet pack and integrated harpoon and other high tech equipment in pursuit of enemies. With the majority of the game play taking place below the water’s surface, action-adventure fans will need to master new skills to fight hostile enemies and infiltrate enemy bases.

• Cover shooter with 40 missions and 4 different environments
• More than 8 hours of gameplay
• Underwater combat
• Free 3D underwater movement
• Immersive storyline with expressive characters
• Huge choice of tactical equipment including jetpack suits and weapon, with special traits for underwater combat
• Support of Razer Hydra controller
• NVIDIA 3D Vision Ready title
• NVIDIA PhysX support
• Optimized for Intel Sandy & Ivy Bridge, working well on Ultrabooks

Thanks to an anonymous reader for submitting this game to the site