Steam is about to receive a promising new action title that merges John Wick’s lethality with the sheer scope of GTA VI; you’ll want to add this to your wish list immediately. As 2026 already shapes up to be a stacked year for gaming, this Max Payne-esque experience certainly demands your attention.
AttritoM7 Productions’ Blackwood boasts a very engaging setup, casting you as a mild-mannered DVD store clerk whose true calling is assassination by night. Once darkness falls, you dive into the city’s underworld to execute a variety of contracts.
John Wick Meets Max Payne: The Core DNA of Blackwood
Based on that description and the available images and footage, it’s clear Blackwood’s creators took heavy inspiration from both John Wick and Max Payne.
It successfully conveys a moody, gritty tone, perfectly capturing the dark atmosphere inherent to both John Wick and Max Payne. Visually, the action appears brutal, with the animations remarkably fluid.
For a firsthand look, check out the new gameplay trailer. It features intense action sequences in which the player eliminates waves of foes while navigating a crowded city thoroughfare. Fluid takedowns are achieved through Blackwood’s signature mechanic: a vast number of contextual combat actions that incorporate stylish ‘gun-fu’ techniques.
Grounded, Weighty, and Satisfying: Developer Insights on Combat
Combat allows players to use both hand-to-hand techniques and environmental objects against incoming fire. The developers at AttritoM7 have dubbed the system “grounded, weighty, and satisfying to master.”
The developers recognize that an equally engaging narrative must complement intense combat. Based on early looks, Blackwood appears poised to reel players in by combining dark humor with its gritty neo-noir storytelling.
Day vs. Night: Living the Dual Life
“Your store is more than just a front — it’s where you live, decorate, and roleplay a ‘normal’ existence,” it says of Blackwood’s story. “Buy and sell DVDs, change outfits, interact with your apartment, and explore small RPG elements that make your dual identity feel tangible. The contrast between day and night defines the world and the choices you make.
“With Marvel-style narrative flair, Blackwood introduces a cast of flawed, human characters navigating a violent city full of secrets. Every ad, tattoo, and poster tells a story. Every mission pulls you deeper into a web of conspiracies and consequences.”
