Blackthorne

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Blackthorne
System(s): Sega 32X
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Paradox Development, Interplay
Licensor: Blizzard Entertainment
Developer(s) of original games: Blizzard Entertainment
Genre: Action
Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code US 1995-10 84519 BR 1996-01 R$89.9989.99 152130
Non-Sega versions Game Boy Advance IBM PC Macintosh PC-9800 series Super NES

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Blackthorne is a cinematic platformer developed by Blizzard Entertainment and published by Interplay in 1994 for the Super NES and DOS-based PCs. A year later, a port to the Sega 32X, developed by Paradox Development, was published by Sega (rather than Interplay due to the latter withdrawing from the 32X market).

Story

Sarlac

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.

Twenty 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

Blackthorne is a cinematic platformer similar to Prince of Persia or Flashback. The game focuses around protagonist Kyle "Blackthorne" Vlaros, out for revenge on Sarlac and his minions. 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 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. 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.

Levels

	Mines of Androth
	Snowy Mountain
	Forest
	Desert Wasteland
	Sarlac's Keep

Versions

Unlike the original versions, the 32X version of the game utilises pre-rendered 3D computer graphics for its sprites and also updates the backgrounds, as well as adding a new Snowy Mountain area. It keeps the level of blood seen on the IBM PC version.

This version formed the basis for a Macintosh conversion released in 1996, this time published by Interplay themselves (through their MacPlay division) but developed by another company instead of either Blizzard or Paradox.

In February 2021, Blackthorne was re-released as part of Blizzard Arcade Collection for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PCs alongside several versions of The Lost Vikings and Rock n' Roll Racing. The compilation includes the 32X version, the Super NES version, and a "Definitive Edition" based on the SNES release that adds a map feature and multi-language support.

Production credits

• Game Design: Blizzard Entertainment
• Level Design: Ronald Millar
• Programming: Frank Pearce, Patrick Wyatt
• Additional Programming: James Anhalt
• Producers: Ronald Millar, Matt Findley
• Executive Producers: Allen Adham, Alan Pavlish
• Artwork: Roman Kenney, Stu Rose, Jason Magness, Ronald Millar, Samwise Didier
• Art Technician: Joeyray Hall
• Sound and Music: Glenn Stafford
• Text and Dialog: Micky Neilson, Ronald Millar, Frank Pearce
• Play Test: Interplay Productions, Blizzard Entertainment

32X Quality Assurance

• Director: Jeremy S. Barnes
• Assistant Director: David Simon
• Lead Tester: Dan Forsyth
• Testers: Jason Coggeshall, Chris Parker, Jeff Woods, Larry Smith, Derek Gibbs, Aaron Oliaz, Martin Bauer

32X Conversion by Paradox

• Programming: Chris Sehy & James Higgins
• Artwork: Paul Interante, Terry Lloyd, Damon Dubois
• Sound & Music: Mike Bartlow & Brian Schmidt
• Additional Level Design: Terry Lloyd
• Interplay Producer: Feargus Urquhart
• Assistant Producer: Reg Arnedo

Source:

In-game credits

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Blackthorne 32X Credits

• Game Design: Paradox Development
• Snow World Design: Terry Lloyd
• Manual By: Sean Cramer
• Manual Edited By: Reginald J. Arnedo
• Manual Illustration: Scott Bieser
• Story By: Keith Herber
• Special Thanks To: Steve Ackrich, Joy Sneer, Jane Chaney, J. Tony Smith, Brian Paw, Steve Goodale, Jeff Gregg, Earl Malit, Curtis Clarkson

Source:

US manual

Magazine articles

Main article: Blackthorne/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score 1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) 50 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 83 Mega Force (FR) NTSC-U 84 Mean Machines Sega (UK) NTSC-U 80

	74
Based on 4 reviews

Blackthorne

32X, US
Cover
Cart Manual

32X, BR
Cover
Cart

Technical information

Main article: Blackthorne/Technical information.

External links

• Sega of America webpage: 32X

References

NEC Retro has more information related to Blackthorne