Game Boy Advance Critic Reviews

There aren't many thinking-man's action games like this on the GBA. [Dec 2003, p.187]

While comparing BlackThorne to the classic "Prince of Persia," it's obvious that it isn't as good as the revolutionary title. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean it isn't an overall good game.

As fun and challenging as the game is, Blackthorne is a finite design that's much shorter than Blizzard's previous two games. Once players make it through the adventure, there's nothing more waiting for them.

The ambience of the game just sets the mood perfectly with its darkness and oppression.

Despite the fact that its graphics leave something to be desired, Blackthorne's gameplay and atmosphere are just as satisfying as they were on the Super NES nearly a decade ago.

Ultimately, there is about a day's worth of gameplay in Blackthorne, and even on a Sunday, a good player could finish and still probably fit in church, lunch, dinner and maybe even football.

The play control is stiff and nonresponsive, making it difficult to succeed in challenging situations. [Nov 2003, p.152]

Its pace is often slow, almost to the point of being sluggish, but the game's story which is revealed both through in-game conversations and cinematic, between-level cutscenes (it is a Blizzard game, after all) definitely helped to pull me into the game despite the frustration I felt with its controls.

What at first hints to lots of gameplay depth turns out to be a waste of time as the game reveals itself to be a basic action adventure game with platform and shooter elements. For what it is it's not bad but it's really nothing special.

It doesn’t have the magic that the old Mario games did; it doesn’t capture the fun and excitement found in Sonic the Hedgehog. It doesn’t have the same elements that create that euphoric rush that screams nostalgia in the hearts of a generation of older gamers.