RVG Forum

In 1987, Sega introduced the world to their version of a combat flight simulator with the arcade game After Burner. The game was highly successful and it spawned sequels as well as a number of ports to home systems. With the release of the 32X, Sega saw the opportunity to port the original title to the system. And just how good of a port is it? Let's find out. In After Burner the player controls an SSF-14 fighter armed with Vulcan guns, guided missiles, and afterburners with the goal of destroying two enemy microwave communication booster stations and crippling their global communications network. The game starts with your fighter taking off the deck of the Sega Enterprise and the rest is history. The action in After Burner is frenetic, non-stop, and exhilarating. The visuals of the game are beautiful, the animation is smooth, and the level of detail is excellent. The many landscapes keeps things interesting and it is always fun to where you get to next when a level is finished. You enemies range from slick fighter jets to attack choppers and you better pay attention to their missiles because they'll track you and destroy you. It'll take some advanced manoeuvring to avoid them. Something that is very important in this type of game is the scaling of the enemy craft (particularly since they come at you at high speed) and, I must say, the 32X handles this very well. Anyone who enjoys the arcade version will have no issue enjoying this 32X version. So, be ready to become Top Gun!

Welcome to the world of Tuul. Once a peaceful world, Tuul is a world in pain and chaos. When Thoros, the last King of Tuul died, his body was transformed into two stones of power: the Lightstone and the Darkstone. The stones were inherited by his twin sons who divided Tuul into Androth and Ka'dra'suul. Androth revered the Lightstone and prospered. Ka'dra'suul buried the Darkstone and was drained of its resources while its people were transformed into hideous creatures. Jealous of the Androthi, Ka'dra'suul invaded Androth and enslaved its people turning the Xandralite mines into prisons. Two decades have passed and you now have to save the people of Androth. You've lived on Earth not knowing of your role but you've been brought back home to find the Lightstone and defeat Sarlac, keeper of the Darkstone and the evil ruler of Tuul. Blackthorne is an adventure platformer that can only be described as a gem for the 32X. The game is best enjoyed using the 6-Button controller, though it can certainly be played with the standard controller. The visuals of Blackthorne are detailed and colourful and the characters are well animated. The Ka'dra'suul creatures look amazing and they certainly have character. They laugh at you and goad you as you travel through the mines in order to rescue prisoners. Your main weapon is a shotgun (that you can use or holster) but there are special weapons that can be found and used such as mines. A password feature lets you start where you left off. If you have 32X, you must have this game. If you don't have a 32X for your Genesis/MD, get one so you can play this game.