Blackthorn Arena: Reforged

Item: Blackthorn Arena: Reforged
Rating: 52
Author: VaporLens

Last updated: 2025-06-29

Summary

Engaging, varied gameplay with deep gladiator management
Strategic combat depth and extensive customization
Frequent bugs, crashes, and save corruption issues
Excessive loading times and poor optimization
Unpolished, unbalanced gameplay with clunky UI
Disappointing remaster quality, conditional purchase recommended

Emotions

Frustration26%Satisfaction21%Disappointment18%Enjoyment6%Anger5%

Reviews (sample size): 747
Helpful reviews: 83%
Unhelpful reviews: 15%
Protest reviews: 2%

52%
Helpful reviews with positive sentiment
48%
Helpful reviews with negative sentiment

Positive points: 1090
Negative points: 1502
Gameplay points: 574
Perf. points: 27
Rec. points: 252
Misc points: 203

Point	Description	Importance
Engaging & Varied Gameplay Description Players consistently praise the game's core gameplay loop, finding it highly engaging, addictive, and offering significant depth and variety in content, classes, and activities, leading to high replayability. Importance 59%	Players consistently praise the game's core gameplay loop, finding it highly engaging, addictive, and offering significant depth and variety in content, classes, and activities, leading to high replayability.	59%
Deep Gladiator Management Description A core strength is the detailed gladiator management system, allowing players to recruit, train, customize, and develop unique gladiators. This includes managing finances, welfare, and enjoying the progression of their team. Importance 41%	A core strength is the detailed gladiator management system, allowing players to recruit, train, customize, and develop unique gladiators. This includes managing finances, welfare, and enjoying the progression of their team.	41%
Active Developer Support Description Reviewers commend the developers for their dedication, frequent updates, and timely bug fixes. Their generosity in providing the 'Reforged' version for free to original owners is also highly appreciated. Importance 36%	Reviewers commend the developers for their dedication, frequent updates, and timely bug fixes. Their generosity in providing the 'Reforged' version for free to original owners is also highly appreciated.	36%
Engaging Auto-Combat System Description The game features an interesting auto-combat system with customizable AI strategies, allowing players to enjoy the 'digital cricket fighting' (auto-battles) or micro-manage. This system is often found engaging and well-designed. Importance 9%	The game features an interesting auto-combat system with customizable AI strategies, allowing players to enjoy the 'digital cricket fighting' (auto-battles) or micro-manage. This system is often found engaging and well-designed.	9%
Acceptable Performance & Graphics Description The game is generally considered playable with average graphics and sound, and it does not require high computer specifications. This makes it accessible to a wider range of players. Importance 6%	The game is generally considered playable with average graphics and sound, and it does not require high computer specifications. This makes it accessible to a wider range of players.	6%
Enjoyable Magic DLC Description The 'Age of Magic' DLC is highlighted for adding a new, enjoyable magic system that enhances the fantasy world and provides delightful chaos to gameplay. Importance 5%	The 'Age of Magic' DLC is highlighted for adding a new, enjoyable magic system that enhances the fantasy world and provides delightful chaos to gameplay.	5%
Strategic Combat Depth Description Combat features tactical elements such as positioning, skill combo coordination, and hitboxes that allow for manual dodging. This adds a layer of strategic depth to battles. Importance 4%	Combat features tactical elements such as positioning, skill combo coordination, and hitboxes that allow for manual dodging. This adds a layer of strategic depth to battles.	4%