Blizzard Entertainment, probably most famous for the Diablo series, released Blackthorne in 1994. While it did not reach the fame or create the fortune that Diablo made, it is very similar to the Prince of Persia, and also Flashback, and is a very playable two-dimensional platform game.
Before the actual battles begin in Blackthorne, the story becomes set when a vicious horde of monsters attacks Stonefist, the capital of the great kingdom of Androth. King Vlaros is killed by the leader of this army (the Ka’dra’suul) and the kingdom’s wizard sends Kyle Blackthorne, Vlaros’s son, to safety on Earth.
Blizzard Entertainment, probably most famous for the Diablo series, released Blackthorne in 1994. While it did not reach the fame or create the fortune that Diablo made, it is very similar to the Prince of Persia, and also Flashback, and is a very playable two-dimensional platform game.
Before the actual battles begin in Blackthorne, the story becomes set when a vicious horde of monsters attacks Stonefist, the capital of the great kingdom of Androth. King Vlaros is killed by the leader of this army (the Ka’dra’suul) and the kingdom’s wizard sends Kyle Blackthorne, Vlaros’s son, to safety on Earth. There, he is trained in the ways of the military, ever wondering what the strange stone means that he has in his possession. Years later, he is contacted by the wizard,
and returns to his home world…armed with a shotgun…to avenge the death of his family and stop the Ka’dra’suul in true Duke Nuke’em style.
Blackthorne is a side-scrolling platform that alternates between climbing, jumping, fighting, and navigating mazes. There are sixteen levels in four interesting settings on the world of Tuul, including: swamps, mines, deserts, and Sarlac’s Keep. As Kyle Blackthorne navigates through each type of terrain, his character grows in strength and speed, and his weapons are upgraded. Conversely, the army of monsters he faces also grows in numbers and power. To progress through these levels, Kyle must locate the keys to their exits. Some are gleaned from destroying monsters, and others are found in mazes and hidden chests throughout the levels. While seeking keys, Kyle also can pick up other bonus items. Some give him more health; others upgrade his weapons. Kyle can find bombs, lasers and other mechanisms to help him vanquish his foes.
During the fray, Kyle is able to shoot forwards, and backwards over his shoulder at a variety of creatures. While orcs are by far the most common enemy, Kyle will also have to defeat tentacled plants that explode or drain his health, whip-toting prison guards, cleverly disguised golems, and other evils. Each requires a particular attack to eliminate. Finally, Kyle will face Sarlac, the leader of the Ka’dra’suul army and his father’s murderer.
Blackthorne is a great scrolling platform with an endless supply of explosions, bombs and monster threats. It is fast-paced, easy to look at, and is just plain a fun play. The music is even good. For action adventure, no one can go wrong with Blizzard’s Blackthorne.
