Blackthorne, alternatively known as “Blackhawk” in certain European countries, is a captivating cinematic platform game crafted by Blizzard Entertainment.
Released in 1994, it made its debut on the Super NES and MS-DOS platforms. The SNES version‘s cover art was masterfully illustrated by Jim Lee.
Over the years, the game’s popularity prompted adaptations, leading to its release on the Sega 32X with extra content. Furthermore, Blizzard’s generosity shone through in 2013 when they offered the game for free on their Battle.net PC client.
To commemorate Blizzard’s 30th anniversary, Blackthorne was reintroduced for modern platforms, such as Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, as part of the Blizzard Arcade Collection in February 2021.
BlackThorne game description
The Enigmatic Plot
The captivating narrative of Blackthorne unfolds on the distant planet Tuul, which has remained hidden from human awareness for ages. Over centuries, Tuul’s inhabitants have been under the rule of a solitary shaman blessed with boundless knowledge.
The game delves into the backstory of Thoros, the previous ruler, who faced the perplexing decision of choosing his successor between his two sons. Hoping to resolve this quandary, he led them to the deserts and took his own life, splitting his essence into two stones representing light and darkness.
Each son received a stone to govern their respective kingdoms — Androth and Ka’dra’suul. The divergence in their fates leads Ka’dra’suul into a path of darkness, culminating in their transformation into malevolent creatures.
Kyle’s Odyssey
The tale takes a turn as Sarlac, a Ka’dra leader, assumes power, forming an army to wage war against Androth. King Vlaros of Androth, in a bid to save his people, entrusts his son Kyle to Earth, aided by the magician Galadril. On Earth, Kyle grows into a formidable military captain and mercenary.
Brought back to Tuul by Galadril, he embarks on a mission to defeat Sarlac and restore his people’s fate.
A Hero’s Journey
Kyle’s journey is one of resilience and determination. Through challenging landscapes, he confronts enemies and navigates mazelike levels. Combat plays a pivotal role as he faces off against foes in intense gunfights.
The game showcases innovative mechanics, such as taking cover against walls to dodge bullets and firing blindly behind. Armed with a pump-action shotgun, Kyle’s weaponry evolves with the support of his Androthi allies, enhancing its speed and power.
Treacherous Terrain
Blackthorne spans seventeen levels across four distinct areas: the Androth mines, the Karrellian forests and swamps, the Wasteland desert, and Shadow keep. For players indulging in the Sega 32X version, an additional snowy mountain area awaits. As the game progresses, Kyle’s prowess grows, matched by his adversaries’ increasing strength.
Play BlackThorne Online for Free
Rediscover the allure of Blackthorne by immersing yourself in its dynamic gameplay online, absolutely free. Play BlackThorne online, in a web browser!
Traverse the richly detailed universe, experience the thrill of Kyle’s journey, and engage in battles against formidable enemies.