Black Fire (video game)

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Black Fire
Sega Saturn Black Fire cover art.jpg
Developer(s) NovaLogic [lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)
Director(s) John Butrovich
Producer(s) Eric Rawlins
Designer(s) Paul Robinson
Programmer(s) John Bojorquez
Artist(s) Daniel Cabuco
Jon Tando
Walter Schulz
Writer(s) Paul Robinson
Composer(s) Barry Blum
Platform(s) Sega Saturn
Release
  • NA: November 10, 1995
  • JP: December 22, 1995
  • EU: June 28, 1996
Genre(s) Combat flight simulator
Mode(s) Single-player

Black Fire is a 1995 combat flight simulation video game developed by NovaLogic, published in North America by Sega and in Japan and Europe by Virgin Interactive for the Sega Saturn.

Contents

Gameplay

Black Fire is a helicopter combat flight simulation game. [2]

Development and release

Reception

Black Fire garnered divisive reception from critics. Fusion's Mike Nallas saw the game's polygonal landscapes as its best point, but pointed out issues with the radar and targeting systems. [7] GameFan 's three reviewers regarded it to be a fair combat flight simulator but thought the visuals were unimpressive. They also noted its learning curve due to the controls, "annoying" draw distance, and lack of additional camera angles, among other flaws. [4] Game Players ' Patrick Baggatta commended the texture-mapped 360° playfields, in-game radio hints, soundtrack, and fast-paced gameplay. Nevertheless, Baggatta saw the repetitive terrain, lack of strategty, and "awkward" controls to be the game's negative points. [3]

Next Generation agreed with Baggatta, stating that "The obvious attempt to be all things to all gamers makes it too easy to overlook the impressive elements of Blackfire, such as the occasionally stunning graphics and intense action sequences, but with time these rewarding facets do manage to make their way to the surface. Perhaps if there was more of a strategic approach to the action as opposed to the shoot-'em-up angle, then these elements would be more obvious. As is, Blackfire has its moments, but it lacks a consistent hook." [2] Ultimate Gamer's Frank O'Connor found it graphically dull but fun gameplay-wise. [12] Sega Pro 's Mat Yeo gave positive remarks to its minimal loading times and graphical presentation, but stated that "tighter controls would have been welcome". [9]

GamePro expressed that the pre-rendered cutscenes between stages outclassed its "jagged" in-game visuals, while also noting the helicopter's limited altitude. [13] Sega Power ' Dave Perrett and James Ashton felt mixed regarding the game's visuals and originality, but praise was given to its audio and replay value. [8] Sega Saturn Magazine 's Rad Automatic wrote that "Basically, Blackfire is a good game engine saddled with a dissapointing level premise. The mission objectives increase in their complexity, but the action required to complete each one doesn't. It's enjoyable enough for a while, but don't expect a classic — or even more than a week's enjoyment." [10]

Mean Machines Sega 's Marcus Hearn and Paul Gascoigne favorably compared the game with both Magic Carpet (1994) and Hi-Octane (1995) graphics-wise. Regardless, Hearn and Gascoigne concurred with other reviewers regarding its field of vision, controls, and difficult levels. They ultimately recommended Firestorm: Thunderhawk 2 . [6] Total Saturn saw its visuals, sound, and gameplay to be average. [11] GameRevolution lauded the overall visual presentation and audio design, but noted its difficult learning curve. [5]

Notes

  1. ↑ Additional work by Sega Away Team. [1] Sound effects by Loudmouth.

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References

  1. ↑ Creature, The Feature (January 1996). "Special Feature: With The Home Away Team - Meet Sega's Away Team, the elite group of developers creating games for the Saturn". GamePro . No. 78. IDG. pp. 46–48.
  2. 1 2 3 "Finals - Saturn: Whirling - Blackfire". Next Generation . No. 12. Imagine Media. December 1995. p. 178.
  3. 1 2 Baggatta, Patrick (December 1995). "Review - Saturn: Blackfire". Game Players . No. 78. Imagine Media. p. 68.
  4. 1 2 Des Barres, Nicholas; Granett, Dan; Halverson, Dave (November 1995). "Viewpoint: Blackfire (Saturn); Saturn Sector: Black Fire". GameFan . Vol. 3, no. 11. Metropolis Media. pp. 21, 56.
  5. 1 2 "Blackfire review for the Saturn — The enemy has locked on!". GameRevolution . CraveOnline. June 6, 2004. Archived from the original on 2021-01-26. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  6. 1 2 Hearn, Marcus; Gascoigne, Paul (August 1996). "Saturn Review: Black Fire". Mean Machines Sega . No. 46. EMAP. p. 72.
  7. 1 2 Nallas, Mike (September 1995). "Culture Shock: Blackfire Backfire - Numerous Nuisances Send This Birdy Down In A Ball Of Flames". Fusion. No. 2. Decker Publications. p. 90.
  8. 1 2 Perrett, Dave; Ashton, James (July 1996). "Review - Saturn: Black Fire - After Thunderhawk 2, helicopter games have got a lot to live up to. Has Black Fire got what it takes to be top?". Sega Power (Collectors' Issue). No. 82. Future Publishing. pp. 58–59.
  9. 1 2 Yeo, Mat (Christmas 1995). "Review - Saturn: Blackfire". Sega Pro . No. 53. Paragon Publishing. pp. 50–51.
  10. 1 2 Automatic, Rad (July 1996). "Review - Operation: Blackfire". Sega Saturn Magazine . No. 9. Emap International Limited. pp. 70–71.
  11. 1 2 "Review: Black Fire". Total Saturn. Vol. 1, no. 4. Rapide Publishing. February 1997. p. 11.
  12. 1 2 O'Connor, Frank (December 1995). "Sega Saturn Review: Black Fire". Ultimate Gamer. No. 5. Larry Flynt Publications. p. 77.
  13. ↑ "Quick Hits: BlackFire (Saturn)". GamePro . No. 80. IDG. March 1996. p. 75.
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