BlackThorne/BlackHawk (SNES, 1994)
Graphics-8 Sound-8 Control-7 Challenge-8 Story-5
Level Design-7.5 Frustration-8 Fun-7.5 Originality-6.5
Overall Score-7.5
+
Somewhat strategic combat (Flashback with background dodging (kinda similar to going into doors in Rolling Thunder 2-3))
Good maze-like levels (find the key, blow up the power generator, hit the switch, etc.)
Manually controlled hover bombs (scarabs)
Fight alongside NPCs in one area
Short passwords
Bombs (including scarabs and spiders) used by enemies can also hurt them
+/-
You can shoot NPCs without consequences
Only one boss
Unlimited ammo for the default gun
No melee attack (Flashback, enemies can do it to you)
No touch damage from most enemies (lets you avoid some combat)
Fall damage and you die from falling more than a screen's length
-
A bit slow and repetitive (delayed reactions to inputs similar to Prince of Persia/Flashback, slower rolling than in FB, can't run while your gun is drawn, can't jump onto or off of ladders)
Trial & error (some leaps of faith)
Can't save some NPCs from getting shot by enemies
Some tedious parts where you need to make an enemy move out of the way to be able to attack
Items don't carry over between levels
Level Design-7.5 Frustration-8 Fun-7.5 Originality-6.5
Overall Score-7.5
+
Somewhat strategic combat (Flashback with background dodging (kinda similar to going into doors in Rolling Thunder 2-3))
Good maze-like levels (find the key, blow up the power generator, hit the switch, etc.)
Manually controlled hover bombs (scarabs)
Fight alongside NPCs in one area
Short passwords
Bombs (including scarabs and spiders) used by enemies can also hurt them
+/-
You can shoot NPCs without consequences
Only one boss
Unlimited ammo for the default gun
No melee attack (Flashback, enemies can do it to you)
No touch damage from most enemies (lets you avoid some combat)
Fall damage and you die from falling more than a screen's length
-
A bit slow and repetitive (delayed reactions to inputs similar to Prince of Persia/Flashback, slower rolling than in FB, can't run while your gun is drawn, can't jump onto or off of ladders)
Trial & error (some leaps of faith)
Can't save some NPCs from getting shot by enemies
Some tedious parts where you need to make an enemy move out of the way to be able to attack
Items don't carry over between levels