Title: Blackthorne Released: 1994 Genre: Platformer Developer: Blizzard Publisher: Interplay Regions: USA Availability: Rare

Blackthorne is a complex and beautiful platform game in the tradition of the classic Prince of Persia or Flashback. Just don’t expect to go jumping and running through this one... you won’t last very long in this strange and beautiful world if you do. The action is a bit slower and deeper than your average platformer, with more exploration, a bit of puzzle solving, and a subtle RPG feel. The mood is dark, violent, and often gory; you can even kill the prisoners that you should be saving (Blackthorne first appeared on the PC and appeals to a more mature audience.) The soundtrack and sound effects are extremely impressive for a 32x game, with rich, atmospheric music and chilling sound effects (the deep, guttural laugh of your enemies is especially creepy.) The character graphics are fluidly animated SGI renders, unlike the characters in the Super Nintendo port, which are comprised of conventional sprites. Background graphics are rich and detailed, with copious amounts of color and texture adding to the overall look of the game. Control can take some getting used to, as the button scheme is somewhat complex and more involved than the average side-scrolling adventure game. You'll also need to learn how to manage the large inventory bar that takes up a generous portion of your screen, and a 6-button controller is an absolute must. The action can be a bit slow and frustrating at times, but there is a lot of fun to be had here for those willing to invest the time and effort. One of the best third-party efforts on the 32x.

Blackthorne is also available for the Super Nintendo, as well as the PC. The 32x version contains additional levels and better graphics.