Darksiders Review

Game:  Darksiders
Year (s):  2010
Company:  dev.  Vigil Games
pub.  THQ
Engine:  Darksiders Engine (no official engine name) using Havok physics
Type:  Third-Person Platformer, Dungeon Crawler
Metacritic Score:  83
My Score:  Hack, slash, hey!  A boomerang!

Price (as of August 29, 2012)

Regular price on Steam:  $19.99
Lowest Buy-It-Now on eBay (new, with shipping):  $12

Game Time: 38 hours first time, completionist style

Obligatory Trailer:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArHzEGeiMbg


Plot and Stuff

This is not a shooter, but it's a decent game and there's no reason not to branch out.  More info under gameplay.

War, the Horseman of the Apocalypse, hears the call of the final seal breaking.  He begins the end of the world.  Unfortunately, the last seal is still intact.  The war between angels and demons renders humanity extinct, and everyone is after War, the fall guy.  War sets out not to prove his innocence, but to take vengeance on any that played a part in his frame-up.


Engine

Engine looks fine.  Nothing new.  I had a problem with recognition of achievements, but I'm not sure if that was a fault of the engine or a problem with Steam.


Combat/Gameplay

Darksiders is, essentially, a Zelda type of game.  In each area, you find an item necessary to progress and continue to the next dungeon.  There are some simple puzzles.

Combat is inspired by God of War.  Three different weapons are present, with a variety of moves for each that can be strung together in combos.  "Wrath" abilities add further means of attack, as do several of the items found in dungeons.

Parts of the game are a huge pain.  You might need to put it aside for a few days at some points.  


Expansions / DLC / Sequels

Darksiders 2 came out in August of this year.  The player takes on the role of the horseman Death.


Final Thoughts

If you ever played Zelda anything and though, "I wish this was absurdly violent," then this one is for you.