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Blackthorne vs Chasm

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

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Blackthorne
BlackthorneA gritty, side‑scrolling adventure where a cursed prince battles dark forces
Chasm
ChasmA retro pixel‑art RPG platformer with procedurally generated worlds
Overview
Description

Blackthorne is a classic 1994 side‑scrolling platformer that blends action, puzzle‑solving, and a dark fantasy narrative. Developed by Mass Media Inc. and Blizzard Entertainment, it follows the cursed prince Blackthorne on a quest to rescue his kingdom from the evil sorcerer Zagarna. The game features hand‑drawn pixel art, atmospheric sound design, and challenging boss encounters that demand precise timing and clever problem‑solving. Originally released for PC and Mac, it remains a beloved title among retro gaming enthusiasts.

Chasm drops you into a procedurally‑generated fantasy realm where you explore six massive, hand‑crafted areas as Daltyn, a soldier investigating a silent mining town. The game blends hack‑and‑slash dungeon crawling with Metroidvania‑style platforming, offering deep exploration, loot, and secret hunting in a vibrant pixel‑art style. With new abilities and equipment to discover, you’ll navigate treacherous traps, battle hordes of enemies, and uncover the paranormal force sealing the town of Karthas. Available on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, Chasm delivers a single‑player adventure for fans of indie action‑RPGs.

Pricing
Paid (One-time)
Paid (One-time)
Category
Platformers
Hack & Slash
Best for
Retro platformer enthusiasts
Retro action‑RPG fans
Specifications
General
msrp
$49.99
$19.99−60%
release date
1994-09-23
2018-07-30
Specifications
developer
Mass Media Inc, Blizzard Entertainment
Bit Kid, Inc.
publisher
Virgin Interactive Entertainment (Europe) Ltd., Kemco, MacPlay, Interplay, Playtronic
Bit Kid, Inc., Leadman Games
age rating
ESRB T, PEGI 12+71%
ESRB T, PEGI 7
multiplayer
Single player
Single player
critic score
80/100+14%
70/100
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Atmospheric pixel art and sound design
  • Deeply challenging puzzles and boss fights
  • Rich, dark fantasy storyline
  • Responsive controls and modern compatibility
  • Procedurally generated levels keep gameplay fresh.
  • Rich pixel‑art aesthetic appeals to retro lovers.
  • Deep ability and equipment system adds RPG depth.
  • Single‑player focus provides an immersive solo experience.
Cons
  • High difficulty may deter casual players
  • Limited save points in original design
  • No official multiplayer or co‑op mode
  • Limited to single‑player, no co‑op options.
  • Difficulty spikes can be steep for newcomers.
  • Replay value hinges on procedural variation rather than story breadth.
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
0
0
User rating
Not enough data
Not enough data

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The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

Chasm offers a cheaper, procedurally replayable solo RPG platformer, while Blackthorne provides a higher‑rated, story‑driven experience with richer atmosphere at a higher price.

Key differences

  • •Price: $19.99 (Chasm) vs $49.99 (Blackthorne)
  • •Replayability: procedural worlds & multiple endings (Chasm) vs fixed levels with hidden collectibles (Blackthorne)
  • •Critical reception: 70/100 (Chasm) vs 80/100 (Blackthorne)
  • •Atmosphere: basic retro pixel art (Chasm) vs dynamic lighting & 90s‑era soundtrack (Blackthorne)
  • •Difficulty emphasis: steep spikes (Chasm) vs consistently high difficulty that may deter casuals (Blackthorne)
DimensionWinner

Pricing & value

Chasm costs $19.99, less than half Blackthorne’s $49.99, offering better price‑to‑content ratio.

Chasm

Gameplay & fun factor

Both are platformers with RPG elements; Chasm adds skill trees, Blackthorne adds atmospheric puzzles and boss fights.

Tie

Multiplayer / co‑op

Both are single‑player only; no co‑op or multiplayer modes.

Tie

Content & replayability

Chasm’s procedurally generated areas and multiple endings create fresh runs; Blackthorne’s content is static.

Chasm

Difficulty & accessibility

Both note high difficulty; Chasm has spikes for newcomers, Blackthorne’s overall difficulty may deter casuals.

Tie

Graphics & performance

Blackthorne adds dynamic lighting and a renowned 90s soundtrack, enhancing atmosphere beyond Chasm’s basic retro 16‑bit art.

Blackthorne

Critical reception

Blackthorne holds an 80/100 critic score versus Chasm’s 70/100.

Blackthorne

Choose Blackthorne if…

Buyers willing to pay more for higher critical acclaim, atmospheric presentation, and a strong narrative.

Choose Chasm if…

Buyers seeking affordable, replayable solo action with RPG depth and procedural variety.

Common questions

Which game offers better value for the money?

Chasm at $19.99 provides more content variety per dollar than Blackthorne’s $49.99 price.

Will I get a lot of new experiences on multiple playthroughs?

Yes, Chasm’s worlds are procedurally generated and feature multiple endings; Blackthorne’s levels are fixed.

Is one game more critically acclaimed than the other?

Blackthorne has a higher critic score (80/100) compared to Chasm’s 70/100.