Darksiders is a third-person, single player action/adventure game inspired by the characters, themes and mythology of the apocalypse and the battle of Armageddon described by the Book of Revelation. But this modern interpretation is not your run of the mill Sunday school stroll through the New Testament. In the game players take on the role of “War,” one of the dread Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. But things are not as they were. Once the unstoppable and just wielder of divine retribution, War is now reduced in stature and cast out amongst the ruined lands of the Earth that he himself devastated. All that remains is the search for the truth behind his betrayal and the survival of its consequences.
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Darksiders (2010)
Darksiders is grounded in the traditional battle between good and evil in the form of angels and demons. With both sides constantly at war the Charred Council, acting as a brave mediator, somehow forces both sides to agree to peace, a truce cemented by Seven Seals and the forming of the Kingdom of Men. It is foretold that when the Seven Seals are broken a war between men, angels and demons will be fought. The game opens with War, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, arriving on Earth in response to the call of the Seals being broken. War finds the world devastated, with men on the brink of extinction while demons and angels engage in spectacular battles throughout the city. In the midst of the fighting, War meets Abaddon, head of the angel army, and learns the Seals have not been broken after all, the other Horsemen haven’t been summoned and therefore War has broken the laws of the Charred Council. Moments later both Abaddon and War are killed by Straga, one of the Destroyer’s Chosen demons. War faces the Charred Council and is condemned to death for bringing the Apocalypse to the world early. However, War manages to persuade the Council to return him to Earth so that he can discover who was responsible for beginning the battle he has been blamed for. The Council agrees on the condition that War be tied to a spectral being known as the Watcher who retains a hold over the horseman and ensures he sticks to his task. War returns to Earth a century later to find mankind have been wiped out, demons are the dominant force and the dwindling angels seek retribution against War for the death of their leader.
Darksiders is an action/adventure reminiscent in look to previous games of this genre, a notable one being Soul Reaver. At the start you are limited in energy, weapons and skills, a hallmark of the Charred Council’s punishment for War’s transgression. As you work your way through the game War will obtain a multitude of weapons that must all be applied to progress and ensures at the same time that no item you obtain can be ignored or dismissed as useless. Such acquisitions are essential in unlocking areas previously sealed off from War. Your first task on reaching the city is to seek out the demon, Vulgrim, who, with a rather unnerving voice, becomes a mainstay of your adventure providing useful items and enhancements in exchange for the souls you obtain in combat or from treasure chests. There are three types of soul to be gathered with blue souls being your currency to trade with Vulgrim, yellow souls increase War’s Wrath level helping launch devastating attacks while green souls augment your energy levels.
After the meeting with Vulgrim, War encounters another demon, Samael, who gives him the task of seeking out and defeating four of the Destroyer’s unique demons known as the Chosen. This task begins the first major section of the game as War negotiates some stunning locations including a cathedral, a desert infested with giant and deadly worms and a ruined subway where derelict trains can be utilised to solve puzzles. Throughout your adventure there will be a lot of fighting and thankfully Darksiders excels in this department. Not content with having War simply hack and slash at foes with his sword, he is able to pick up objects such as cars and hurl them at enemies from a safe distance. The carnage and destruction you can create in the many environments is reminiscent of the latest Hollywood action movie. As War becomes stronger, his battle options increase with weapons such as a handgun, grappling hook, gauntlet and much later his trusted steed, Ruin, all being acquired to push War one step closer to being the powerful being he once was. If that’s not enough war has access to the Chaos Form where he turns into a fiery giant and is seemingly unstoppable; that is until your limited time in this manifestation runs out.
There is little wrong with Darksiders. It is a violent game but never to the extent that it would alienate gamers. It is certified as 15 and is unsuitable for younger gamers. Darksiders can be challenging at times, particularly some of the boss battles but the best advice as always is to persevere and you will find the solution. If you can overcome those minor issues then Darksiders has much to offer with a good storyline, many hours of gameplay, and some of the best action sequences you are likely to see. Though influences from other games are clear to see, Darksiders still manages to excel on its own merits. If you’re looking for an action/adventure that will keep you busy for hours then there is no need to look further.
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