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DARKSIDERS (X360)
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Publisher: THQ.
Developer: Vigil Games. Released: January 2010. Genre: Hack 'n' Slash; Adventure. Other versions: PS3; PC. Posted 5th November 2012. By Shane Battams © 2012 |
While there’s some negativity around games borrowing mechanics, often resulting in their being dubbed a clone of their inspiration, it’s worth noting that games sometimes crib from others for good reason. Taking cues from the likes of God of War, Zelda and Portal certainly makes sense, as they’ve all garnered considerable acclaim for their innovations. However, it’s relatively rare that a game borrows from a multitude of sources. Darksiders was one such instance, taking elements from these three disparate series and more besides. The result could have been seen as messy and derivative, but Vigil Games managed to meld these parts into a cohesive whole, and a really fun one, at that.
The end is here for humankind, as Darksiders takes place during the apocalypse. The destruction of Earth comes as unexpected from all parties involved, including War who finds himself called upon without his three fellow Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Failing to quell the invasion, Humanity is rendered extinct and the world is left as a crumbling ruin overrun with demons. Framed for inciting this war and tied to a leash by a sinister Demon, War must return to the remains of Earth and root out those who caused this. It’s a summer blockbuster-style narrative, replete with over-the-top voice acting and Hollywood-style camera cuts that prove entertaining, if not serious. As long as you bring the popcorn, you should have fun.
If you like big bosses, Darksiders will be your kind of game
Fans of God of War may feel a sense of déjà vu as its opening level feels eerily similar: a linear tutorial that gives you a taste of your ultimate power before stripping it away. But the destruction of New York around you certainly makes for an explosive start. Things soon open up, as there’s a fairly vast open-world to explore that starts with many paths blocked. Those not keen on backtracking will at least find ample reason to explore at least as plenty of treasures and upgrades can be collected with a full power set. Special armours and modifications for your weapons are particularly worthwhile. You’re looking at around 14 hours to completion, with seeking out those hidden goodies bumping it up to around 20.
Combat hits with force. War can perform both light and heavy attacks and grab smaller foes to regain health, though naturally the latter has no effect on bigger opponents. While crowded fights see little use for it, you can focus on a single foe as the lock-on swaps to a letterbox format a la Zelda, which is handy for boss encounters. You can also time a parry with certain strikes and dash out of unblockable moves. Combat options grow as you play, with the Sword being accompanied by a Scythe and Tremor gauntlet which get mapped to the Y button. Each can be bolstered by additional moves bought in the shop as well as usage levelling up their potency. There’s a great deal of variety in combat between this, being able to utilise environmental objects such as cars like an ECW brawl and a slew of different foes with varying strategies. The bosses somewhat disappoint as, despite their scale, they often prove basic to overcome as they rely on gear gained in the prior dungeon and a repetitive pattern of defeat.
Combat hits with force. War can perform both light and heavy attacks and grab smaller foes to regain health, though naturally the latter has no effect on bigger opponents. While crowded fights see little use for it, you can focus on a single foe as the lock-on swaps to a letterbox format a la Zelda, which is handy for boss encounters. You can also time a parry with certain strikes and dash out of unblockable moves. Combat options grow as you play, with the Sword being accompanied by a Scythe and Tremor gauntlet which get mapped to the Y button. Each can be bolstered by additional moves bought in the shop as well as usage levelling up their potency. There’s a great deal of variety in combat between this, being able to utilise environmental objects such as cars like an ECW brawl and a slew of different foes with varying strategies. The bosses somewhat disappoint as, despite their scale, they often prove basic to overcome as they rely on gear gained in the prior dungeon and a repetitive pattern of defeat.
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Darksiders also offers some novel puzzling, often utilising a slew of gear acquired throughout the game. The Cross Blade throws like a boomerang and can detonate explosives, an Abyssal Chain allows you to grapple across key hooks and the Void Walker allows you to create portals through special surfaces. It’s certainly a strange combo, as you can see the influences of Bionic Commando and Portal, but somehow, they gel together very well. The puzzles start off pretty basic but novel at least, but once you gain further gear and dungeons start to require multiple equipment combinations to progress, it gets really satisfying. Outside of maybe a couple of pieces of gear, most of your equipment sees continued use until the end, which is great. The only other major element comes from very occasional platforming, usually using a glide to hover higher. The controls and War’s lumbering size make them slightly awkward but at least they are rare.
Darksiders bears an immediately eye-catching style, with grossly large weapons and stylised characters. Joe Madureira, a penciller for the Uncanny X-Men comics, was involved on the production, so it makes sense, and its an appealing style which matches the grand storytelling. It also looks technically great too, boasting quality texture work, a bright yet gothic style and mostly smooth performance outside of a few dips in clustered combat encounters. The sound is also bombastic. The voicework borders on cheesy, especially Mark Hamill’s ghoulish turn as the Watcher who cackles in delight when torturing War, but the delivery fits with the blockbuster vibe. Squeamish sounds for combat, such as brutal decapitations, also hit the spot. The music does the job in trying to sound epic, though it doesn’t quite stand out enough to be memorable sadly.
Darksiders bears an immediately eye-catching style, with grossly large weapons and stylised characters. Joe Madureira, a penciller for the Uncanny X-Men comics, was involved on the production, so it makes sense, and its an appealing style which matches the grand storytelling. It also looks technically great too, boasting quality texture work, a bright yet gothic style and mostly smooth performance outside of a few dips in clustered combat encounters. The sound is also bombastic. The voicework borders on cheesy, especially Mark Hamill’s ghoulish turn as the Watcher who cackles in delight when torturing War, but the delivery fits with the blockbuster vibe. Squeamish sounds for combat, such as brutal decapitations, also hit the spot. The music does the job in trying to sound epic, though it doesn’t quite stand out enough to be memorable sadly.
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Darksiders is a gorgeous spectacle: pain made pretty
There’s no getting around how Darksiders patchwork nature, there’s even an on-rails flying segment which harks back to Panzer Dragoon, of all things. Despite its divergent inspirations, Vigil Games would somehow stitch it all together to form a cohesive, compelling and entertaining experience. Impactful combat, intelligent puzzling and a compelling setting and story meld together to keep you hooked. Mix in a distinctive style and satisfying exploration, and it’s a great time. While those looking for something wholly original might turn their noses up at Darksiders, action-adventure aficionados should have a lot of fun.
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VERDICT
"Vigil Games would stitch together disparate inspirations to make a cohesive and enjoyable hack ‘n’ slash adventure. Darksiders is a lot of fun thanks to impactful combat, intelligent puzzling and a distinctive style."
OVERALL: 8/10 |
PIXEL SECONDS: DARKSIDERS (PS3)
Vigil Games’s four horseman themed post-apocalyptic adventure remains an inviting and expansive hack ‘n’ slash epic, albeit one that’s not without its flaws. Playing as War, you’ll find plenty of satisfying combat around the sprawling wastelands, as well as some challenging and sizeable boss encounters. Its large structures, which include a cathedral and an underground railway station, challenge the player through their mixture of tricky scraps and difficult puzzles. The platforming could have been better, however, with plenty of promising setups proving more aggravating than they should have through spongy controls and fiddly button shortcuts. Though perhaps a little unoriginal, Darksiders looks solid; the breadth and cohesion of its hostile environments impresses. The game would certainly have benefited from maps and waypoints appearing a little better organised, as even with occasional warp-points, its easy to wander from the correct path. It’s a lengthy and at-times fatiguing affair, but if you’re after a quality hack ‘n’ slash with some cool characters and plenty to get your teeth into, Darksiders is a decent alternative to God of War. [7] – Tom Clare © 2022
Vigil Games’s four horseman themed post-apocalyptic adventure remains an inviting and expansive hack ‘n’ slash epic, albeit one that’s not without its flaws. Playing as War, you’ll find plenty of satisfying combat around the sprawling wastelands, as well as some challenging and sizeable boss encounters. Its large structures, which include a cathedral and an underground railway station, challenge the player through their mixture of tricky scraps and difficult puzzles. The platforming could have been better, however, with plenty of promising setups proving more aggravating than they should have through spongy controls and fiddly button shortcuts. Though perhaps a little unoriginal, Darksiders looks solid; the breadth and cohesion of its hostile environments impresses. The game would certainly have benefited from maps and waypoints appearing a little better organised, as even with occasional warp-points, its easy to wander from the correct path. It’s a lengthy and at-times fatiguing affair, but if you’re after a quality hack ‘n’ slash with some cool characters and plenty to get your teeth into, Darksiders is a decent alternative to God of War. [7] – Tom Clare © 2022
OTHER 7TH GEN HACK 'N' SLASH GAMES REVIEWED
Darksiders II (2012, Xbox 360)
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Sacred Citadel (2013, PC)
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