Capturing the complexity of the Iranian revolution is hard to do in just two hours, but 1979 Revolution: Black Friday makes a noble and ultimately effective attempt. Thanks to an interesting cast of characters, impressive performances, and a respectful mix of drama and Telltale Games-style quick-time event action, 1979 Revolution kept me hooked all the way through and even managed to deliver an engaging history lesson along the way.

The hope, passion, danger, secrecy, and tragedy of the real Iranian revolution makes it a fascinating time and place to set a story and 1979 Revolution manages to hit on all these points in its short, but sweet two hours. It’s set just days before the tragic turning point in the revolution known as the Black Friday massacre, which left several dozens of civilians dead in Tehran’s Jaleh Square after the army opened fire on a crowd.

“ A period as tragic as it is severely misunderstood.

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By placing such a bloody fate just over the horizon, 1979 Revolution maintained a constant sense of dread as I navigated Reza, a likable young photographer, through the streets of Tehran. Roped into a diverse circle of revolutionaries by his close friend, Babak, Reza finds himself in the midst of the revolution’s most impassioned demonstrations and the sharp men and women at the forefront. His initial caution and confusion is your own as you learn to diligently navigate the heated politics and dangers of the country’s civil unrest, an adventure that drew me in with the amount of careful detail put into the people and places.

“ I loved seeing the heart and soul of Iran, even during this tumultuous time, on full display.

The Future of Iran

Despite that, I loved seeing the heart and soul of Iran, even during this tumultuous time, on full display. Half my family hails from Iran and experienced the revolution first hand, so my personal attachment to the events represented in 1979 Revolution is strong. I felt chills watching the opening credits, which juxtaposes live-action footage from the revolution against innocent home movies and in-game footage. In an opening chapter, I even recognized the bank where my grandfather used to work in Tehran – to see that kind of representation, no matter how mundane, in a medium where my culture and the Middle East at large are usually portrayed as desert war zones, was touching. But 1979 Revolution doesn’t just get credit for exploring uncommon subject matter. It’s the care and respect with which it treats its subjects that truly make it shine.

Protesters deliver a speech during a crowded demonstration.

A personal connection to or prior knowledge of the events explored here aren’t required to appreciate 1979 Revolution’s story or historical backdrop, thanks to the way we’re introduced to it. The photographer role is an obvious, but smart way to drop us into the middle of a complicated conflict without demanding we brush up on our history first, and that’s a convenience 1979 Revolution uses to great effect.

“ 1979 isn’t afraid to dive deep into the heart of the revolution’s most emotional and horrific aspects.

1979 Revolution brings up real-world photos based on your in-game snapshots.

I shot more photos of striking oil workers, a homeless mother, people waving signs in support of a pro-democratic Ayatollah – each with some interesting historical or cultural fact to go along with it. Key encounters with certain characters or points of interest, from people distributing political speeches on the streets to posters of Iranian pop stars, also add extra bits of information to a handy booklet in the pause menu. If you take a few moments to read it, 1979 can deliver loads of enriching material without bombarding you with it.

Truth in Fiction

This documentary-style game doesn’t just seek to educate, though. 1979 isn’t afraid to dive deep into the heart of the revolution’s most emotional and horrific aspects, making for a great story lead by even greater characters. But as you navigate the spirited protests, secret political meetups, and unpredictable military interventions of the revolution, 1979 maintains a respectful blend of drama and action. Even with gruesome first aid mini-games, quick-time events that depict Reza fleeing from tear gas in a crowded street, and harsh interrogation sequences set in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison, the violence of the revolution is never glorified or sensationalized.

A demonstration turns into a riot after the army roughs up a group of student protesters.

“ Smart, nuanced writing, along with some powerful performances bring even the most minor characters to life.

Dialogue options in 1979 Revolution.

The linearity of its tale isn’t necessarily a bad thing. 1979 has a story it wants to tell, and while it doesn’t let you stray too far from the path, it does tell its story well, successfully building drama and tension in other ways. Smart, nuanced writing, along with some powerful performances bring even the most minor characters to life. 1979 can look visually rough at times, with awkwardly animated background NPCs and too many duplicate character models, threatening to pull me out of the moment as I explored this digital replication of Tehran’s streets.