BlackShift (2006) 3.2 Mb
BlackShift is also a Chip’s Challenge-like game, but stands on its own. You control a blue rover robot and have to locate and destroy the frozen alien in each level. The levels are filled with bombs, keys, guns, missiles, mirrors, enemy robots, teleporters, and more. A big part of Blackshift is exploring and learning about all of the various items. Again, it’s an action/ puzzle platformer.
BlackShift is no longer available direct from the author but is available on some free games sites, which is a shame as there was previously a hints page available.
It’s finely balanced between action and puzzles and the hint for one level is ‘go fast’! You can pick up and drop some items. It’s a satisfyingly difficult experience!
Blackshift comes with 100 levels. While some require fancy finger work and careful timing, there are some good puzzles in the mix. This is why it is a game to keep coming back to. As you work your way through the levels, new items are regularly introduced. The best part of the game is determining the effect of these items as they appear. A level editor is also included, should you wish to edit levels or design your own levels.
You normally have to work your way through the levels in the set order, but every ten levels, there is a nuclear bomb hidden in the level. You can collect these nuclear bombs and used them to "solve" later levels. It is also possible to cheat by opening up the file ‘progress dat’ in a hex editor. By altering byte 5, you can skip a level. If you really want to cheat, you can add some nukes by altering byte 9.
BlackShift has quite a following online. You can find walkthroughs for some levels on Google and YouTube. Level 100 is a real challenge!
It is a very well-done, polished, and running Windowed, bug free game. Given as well that it is free, it is certainly very well worth playing!
The only comment to make is, as soon as the game runs, go to Options and change full-screen to Windowed mode. I’m not sure if it’s a compatibility setting issue, but the game runs perfectly on my XP SP3 in a Window, but is unresponsive or locks full-screen. You may need to change the program compatibility or screen resolution to run it full screen. It’s great playing Windowed in any case!
Download at Caiman HERE via the caiman link,
or
Download HERE where the download link is the ‘3.2Mb’ by the disc icon. Enter the five digit verification code on the linked page to download the file, which also includes a manual.
There is also a more recent free online single player sequel called Netshift, to play in your browser, with 39 levels Play HERE