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.

[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 disappointing level premise.

"[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.