Play Blackthorne (Mode7) Online

Summary

Blackthorne, known as Blackhawk in some European releases, feels like a love letter to cinematic platformers of the mid‑90s. The game’s visual flair comes from rotoscoped sprites—over a thousand frames were hand‑drawn to give Kyle Vlaros fluid, lifelike movement, a technique reminiscent of Prince of Persia. I’m constantly impressed by the shotgun mechanic: you can fire forward, blind‑fire behind you, and even press against walls to dodge bullets, which adds a tactical layer to the otherwise fast‑paced platforming. The level design spans mines, forests, deserts and a shadowy keep, each packed with keys, hidden items and increasingly tough mutants. Knowing that the original drew inspiration from Another World and Flashback, and that later ports added a snowy mountain area on the 32X, makes every playthrough feel like a piece of gaming history preserved for modern consoles.

Storyline

Blackthorne is set on the ancient planet Tuul, where a single shaman once ruled with all knowledge. When the last shaman, Thoros, could not choose a successor, he split his body into a light stone and a dark stone, giving each to his two sons. The light‑stone followers founded the kingdom of Androth, while the dark‑stone people became the monster‑ridden Ka'dra'suul, eventually seized by the tyrant Sarlac, who raised an army against Androth. King Vlaros of Androth, aided by the magician Galadril, sent his son Kyle to Earth for safety, entrusting him with the light stone.

Twenty years later Kyle, now a famed captain and mercenary, breaks out of prison, experiences strange dreams, and is summoned by Galadril to return to Tuul. He journeys across the land, battles Sarlac’s forces, and finally confronts the evil Sarlac in his castle, claiming the villain’s skull as a trophy. "One warrior stood alone against a kingdom of evil. Defeat the evil Sarlac and free your enslaved people," the game’s tagline declares.

Victorious, Kyle ascends the throne of Androth, ruling justly and honorably for many years. The ending shows him seated beside a woman, Sarlac’s former pet at his feet, and the skull mounted on the wall as promised.