Blackthorn Arena

Starting at $15.48Buy now

"Blackthorn Arena" is a gladiator combat and management simulator where you build and train a team of warriors to compete in brutal arena battles. Manage your ludus, recruit and train fighters, and customize your strategies to outwit your opponents and climb the ranks. Experience visceral, tactical combat with a variety of weapons, spells, and enemy types in this immersive, ancient world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

65%

Audience ScoreBased on 530 reviews

story7 positive mentions

stability54 negative mentions

Unique gladiator management gameplay with deep customization options for characters and skills.
Endless replayability with various builds and strategies to explore.
Active development team that frequently releases updates and addresses bugs.

Numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including crashes and AI pathfinding issues.
Combat can feel unbalanced, with RNG elements leading to frustrating losses against lower-level opponents.
User interface is clunky and difficult to navigate, making it hard to manage gladiators and resources effectively.

story
92 mentions
8 % positive mentions
86 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game's story is criticized for being weak and linear, with crucial missions that can abruptly end progress if failed, leading to frustration. While there are intriguing lore elements and character backstories that add depth, many players feel the narrative lacks sufficient engagement and variety, often relegating it to a mere tutorial-like guide for gameplay. Overall, the story is seen as a mixed bag, offering some interesting concepts but ultimately falling short in execution and depth.
- “Intriguing lore and choices: the game's dark and intricate storyline keeps you invested.”
- “You have a story, you have your own arena, a bunch of gladiators with a lot of traits, you struggle with money and fame, you send your gladiators to hell or not, the game basically keeps you on all the time.”
- “It's a gladiator arena in a fantasy world and a rather interesting story surrounding the player.”
- “There is a part that can break your game if you fail a certain story mission, which I wish they fixed. You can still play and enjoy it, but it kills the story and any real progress.”
- “You destroy a good concept and decent gameplay with too many random occurrences, and most importantly, use the story to force people to play in a specific way to be ready for the tournament within a specific timeframe, which results in min-maxing and frustration.”
- “Worst of all is the way the story progression is set up. A ton of content is gated off behind the story, which for some reason takes forever to advance.”
gameplay
74 mentions
28 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its depth and management mechanics, while others criticize its frustrating mechanics, poor AI, and reliance on RNG. Many users noted that the game offers a steep learning curve and can be overwhelming, but those who invest time into understanding the systems often find it rewarding. However, issues such as long loading times, clunky UI, and unbalanced combat mechanics detract from the overall experience, leading to a consensus that while the game has potential, it requires significant improvements to reach its full capabilities.
- “I have been looking for a gladiator game for years; nothing even comes close to how well put together this game is, how well thought out it is, how much actual management is involved, and how deep the game goes. 40 hours into the game, I am discovering important major mechanics just now. I thought there was a limit on how many new classes I could learn on my gladiators, but apparently, the sky is the only limit in this game!”
- “The gameplay loops are great and the reward system is very well balanced (not too grindy, not too easy, not too much RNG), which is rare.”
- “Gameplay is fun if you enjoy simulation and management games with RPG elements.”
- “The biggest downfall was the time mechanic which made you feel like failure wasn't an option.”
- “The game has a lot of potential, but all that potential is overshadowed by the lack of animation, combat mechanics, and bugs.”
- “The game is really unfair, and I don't mean the game is hard; it is unfair because of the limitation of the incompetent combat AI and the design choice of the game overly relying on RNG mechanics to govern every aspect of the game.”
stability
58 mentions
7 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which significantly impact stability and gameplay experience. While some players find it enjoyable despite these issues, many report game-breaking problems, crashes, and frustrating AI behavior. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires substantial patching and optimization to reach a more polished state.
- “The game is 90% bug free, no kidding.”
- “I've played early access games that weren't as buggy and unoptimized as this.”
- “The stability of the game is impressive, making for a smooth experience.”
- “I really want to give this game a good review, but it is so buggy that it is difficult to play.”
- “Full of sound bugs, crashes, visual bugs, and freezes after fights.”
- “But seriously ... devs who release DLCs while their vanilla game is still buggy and crashing?”
graphics
39 mentions
13 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
26 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered dated and inconsistent, with many reviewers noting that they fall short of modern standards, resembling those of older titles or mobile games. While some players appreciate the character customization options and find the art style appealing, others criticize the graphical glitches and lack of polish, suggesting that the game could benefit from significant upgrades. Overall, the graphics are seen as a mixed bag, with decent elements overshadowed by bugs and outdated designs.
- “The art style is nice, graphics are good, and combat is fun and interesting.”
- “I imagined graphics at the likes of Lost Ark, armors and equipment from For Honor, more particles and blooming effects (the blaze arrows particle effects are really pretty!), better missions, introduce warriors from other mythology such as warlords, samurai, kheshig, medjays, taming our own monsters to fight.”
- “Graphics (compared to other games like this): 7/10”
- “There does not seem to be all that much content and the graphics certainly aren't of such high quality that this game should eat up that much storage space.”
- “As well as other issues like very long loading screens, the game graphics and game mechanics make the game look and feel like it came out 15 years ago, so why the loading screens take so long is beyond me.”
- “The graphics are very dated, but that goes with the engine.”
replayability
18 mentions
28 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a solid level of replayability, with many players appreciating the variety in character customization, challenge levels, and gameplay options. While some find it can become repetitive, the inclusion of random elements and different strategies keeps the experience fresh for many. However, opinions vary, with some suggesting that the game's price may not fully reflect its replay value.
- “Lots of replayability, perfect challenge level and challenge variety, great character customization, and you get to watch real gladiator battles play out, just like the good old days... 10/10”
- “I'd give this game 10 stars for content, control, and replayability.”
- “Being able to level up and utilize different gladiator types as your champions makes the game's replayability pretty solid.”
- “It was some replayability but can be quite repetitive.”
- “I'm not sure about others, but I think this price is a deal breaker for the amount of replayability this game has to offer.”
- “More event-based games, etc., more replayability, longer gameplay, then I would give this a 10/10, but right now it's more of a 6/10.”
optimization
15 mentions
20 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting it as unfinished and buggy, leading to frequent crashes and long loading times. While some improvements have been noted, the consensus is that the game still requires substantial optimization and balancing to enhance the overall experience. Players express hope that the developers will continue to address these issues in future updates.
- “Performance is very stable.”
- “It's better optimized, more balanced, has more content, more activity diversity, and more customization.”
- “While there are optimized builds, you can play anything you want and it will work.”
- “Trying to get a refund; the game is awful, unfinished, and completely unoptimized. The devs have the nerve to release DLC packs. Very unfortunate.”
- “Great concept, but it needs more improvement in UI, game optimization, and balance, which makes for a frustrating experience while playing this game.”
- “It really feels like I'm playing a loading screen simulator rather than the game itself, and I hope that this gets optimized because this game has potential.”
music
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its quality and fit for scenes, while others criticize it for being dull and inconsistent, often cutting out unexpectedly. Users report issues with audio bugs and delays in music cues, which detract from the overall experience. Overall, while there are moments of good music, the execution and reliability leave much to be desired.
- “The music is very good.”
- “Nature sounds, combat actually sounds pretty decent when colliding swords, and the music (when available) fits well with the scene.”
- “It would be nice to have consistent music and audio that makes transitions feel more smooth rather than drop outs.”
- “Audio and music sometimes don't play or cut out altogether.”
- “The music and overall sound are very sub-par.”
- “Consistency is an issue; the music and sound drop out at the most random times.”
grinding
7 mentions
29 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
71 % negative mentions
Overall, players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game. While some appreciate the sense of accomplishment that comes from grinding for items, others find it tedious and overly reliant on RNG, particularly in crafting and material gathering. The balance of gameplay loops and rewards is noted as a positive, but the presence of bugs and AI issues detracts from the overall experience.
- “Feels more rewarding than toilsome (not too grindy).”
- “The gameplay loops are great and the reward system is very well balanced (not too grindy, not too easy, not too much RNG), which is rare.”
- “This would be a good game if it had a lot less bugs and a little less grinding.”
- “The crafting feature is tedious and too RNG-based in terms of gathering materials.”
- “This is a sim, but it plays more like a grindy tactical, turn-based RPG because of how much it relies on skills and gear for progression.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity, such as the ability to create exaggeratedly "thiccy" gladiators, and the comedic relief found in frustrating moments that turn into laughter upon discovering simple solutions. Additionally, the poorly executed English translation and numerous typos contribute to the overall comedic experience.
- “You can make your gladiators all thicc as heck, which is hilarious.”
- “You know those points in video games where you realize your anger has turned into humor, and fights you thought were hard at first have really simple solutions?”
- “Hilariously bad English translation and just typos everywhere.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is perceived as a cash grab, with users expressing frustration over the developer's focus on promoting future titles rather than addressing existing issues.
- “Honestly seems like a cash grab.”
- “The many clear problems that there are, my best guess is this is a cash grab.”
- “In their infinite wisdom, the developer is already advertising their next subpar game.”
character development
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-150 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The game features robust character development, allowing players to create and customize their own gladiators while also managing their skills effectively. Users appreciate the depth of the character design and the strategic balance between deploying top fighters and managing their recovery, making it engaging even for casual gamers.
- “There is a rather deep character design, from making your own gladiators to skill development. As a casual gamer, even if you aren't amazing at it, there is a lot of fun to have.”
- “I've played a few other gladiator management themed games, but this one really hooked me with the character development aspect and the balance of putting your best fighters out there and letting them heal while you send in your second or third tier guys.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression, making it hard to stay invested in my gladiators.”
- “While the game offers some customization, the overall character development is limited and doesn't provide enough depth to keep me engaged.”
- “I found the character development to be quite disappointing; it seems like there are few choices that truly impact the gameplay or the story.”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the game's emotional impact is hindered by its unfinished state and numerous bugs, which detract from the overall experience and connection to the narrative.
atmosphere
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Reviewers suggest that incorporating cut scenes during critical moments, such as the end of a match, would significantly enhance the game's atmosphere, adding emotional depth and engagement to the experience.
- “The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world with stunning visuals and haunting sound design.”
- “Every location feels alive, filled with intricate details that enhance the overall mood and tension of the gameplay.”
- “The ambient sounds and music perfectly complement the visuals, creating a captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
- “There are moments where the environment could be hauntingly beautiful, but instead it feels lifeless and dull.”
- “The sound design is underwhelming, failing to enhance the atmosphere and leaving the experience feeling hollow.”