Blackthorne

For other uses, see Blackthorne (disambiguation).
Blackthorne

Developer(s) Blizzard Entertainment
Paradox Development (32X conversion)
Mass Media Inc. (GBA version)
Publisher(s) Interplay
MacPlay (Mac version)
Blizzard (GBA port)
Platform(s) SNES, Sega 32X, MS-DOS, GBA, Mac OS, Windows
Release date(s) 1994 (SNES and MS-DOS)
1995 (Sega 32X)
1996 (Mac)
2003 (GBA)
2013 (Windows) (Battle.net)
Genre(s) Cinematic platformer
Mode(s) Single-player
Distribution 8 megabit cartridge
Floppy disk
CD-ROM
Digital Distribution

Blackthorne (Blackhawk in some European countries) is a cinematic platformer video game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. It was released for the SNES and MS-DOS in 1994, and with enhanced graphics and a higher color palette for the Sega 32X in 1995 and for Mac OS in 1996.[1] The cover art for the SNES version was drawn by Jim Lee.[2] A port to the Game Boy Advance was released in 2003, also with a brighter palette than original versions. Because of GBA's fewer number of buttons, some actions were set to combinations of buttons. In 2013 the game was added to Battle.net as free download emulated through DOSBox.[3]

Plot

Blackthorne is set on the planet Tuul, which has existed for centuries without human knowledge. All of this time, Tuul's people have been ruled over by a single shaman who "was blessed with all knowledge". Years before the game begins, Thoros, the latest ruler, finds it near impossible to choose between his two sons as the next ruler. Believing it will solve the dilemma, he leads them to the deserts and kills himself. His body becomes two stones, light and dark, and he gives one to each boy to rule their own kingdoms respectively. The people of the lightstone form the kingdom of Androth, and the people of the darkstone form Ka'dra'suul. But while Androth respects their stone, Ka'dra'suul reject theirs, and are eventually transformed into monsters by it. In this time, a ka'dra named Sarlac seizes power. He forms an army and leads them against Androth.

Knowing of his people's doom, the ruler of Androth, King Vlaros, with the aid of the Androthi magician Galadril, sends his son Kyle to Earth to save his life. Vlaros also gives Kyle the lightstone for safe keeping. He wishes that Kyle can one day return and use it to save their people.

20 years later, Kyle has become a renowned military captain and mercenary. After breaking out of prison facing court martial, Kyle begins having strange dreams, and is eventually confronted by Galadril. He is told that it is time to return to Tuul and save his people. The game begins here with Kyle setting out to kill Sarlac and reclaim his throne.

Gameplay

The game focuses around protagonist Kyle Vlaros who is known as the Blackthorne, out for revenge on Sarlac and his minions. The gameplay involves large platforming sequences, in which Kyle can run and climb around the environment, find keys and items and progress to the end of each maze like level. Combat in Blackthorne takes the form of gunfights. Both Blackthorne and his enemies can press against walls to avoid incoming bullets. Blackthorne can also fire blindly behind himself.

The game has seventeen levels within four areas - the mines of Androth, the Karrellian forests/swamps, the Wasteland desert, and Shadow keep. The Sega 32X version includes a fifth area, the snowy mountains, which is not found in the other versions of the game. As the game progresses through these areas, Kyle becomes stronger and better armed, but so do the enemies.

During the game, Kyle uses a pump action shotgun as his primary weapon. As the game progresses, Androthi allies will help him upgrade the weapon, increasing its speed and power.

Reception

Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the SNES version an 8 out of 10 and their "Game of the Month" award, praising its dark tone, amazingly smooth animation, complex and intelligent gameplay, and the ability to kill prisoners after getting information from them.[4] GamePro gave the SNES version a positive review, calling it "Flashback with an attitude." They particularly praised its detailed graphics and stronger emphasis on action over puzzle-solving as compared to similar games.[5]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.gamespot.com/mac/action/blackthorne/
  2. ↑ "At the Deadline". GamePro (62) (IDG). September 1994. p. 162.
  3. ↑ Sykes, Tom (3 November 2013). "Blizzard's 16-bit platformer Blackthorne is now available as free download". PC Gamer UK. Future plc. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  4. ↑ "Review Crew: Blackthorne". Electronic Gaming Monthly (62) (EGM Media, LLC). September 1994. p. 28.
  5. ↑ "ProReview: Blackthorne". GamePro (62) (IDG). September 1994. p. 72.

External links