When you idolise someone so much that you begin to dress, move and act exactly like them, how do you have a personality of your own? That's Darksiders' dilemma. Half the time it's like playing God Of War. For the rest of the game, Darksiders apes Legend of Zelda, with dungeons to explore and puzzles to solve. The only thing missing is the green tunic. And while you might think that fusing such distinct games would be enough to give Darksiders its own character, it isn't.
Forget the story - it's very much end-of-the-world-style nonsense, and just an excuse to let War (of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse) hit loads of demons with a big sword. There are lots of weapons, and if you go on a murderous enough rampage your wrath bar will fill and you can adopt War's 'chaos form' for a while. Here, War increases in size and is engulfed in flame, allowing you to run amok for 30 seconds or so. Sound familiar? Yes, it's like GOW's Rage of the Gods mode, of course. But this is far from the only similarity to Kratos' adventures.
In fact, you can't move without spotting something inspired by GOW - kill a demon, and its soul is absorbed into War, allowing him to level-up later. There are colour-coded chests, offering souls that increase health or add to War's wrath bar. Kratos has the Blades of Chaos, War has his sword - The Chaoseater. Of course, none of this would be a problem were Darksiders' combat as fluid, responsive or satisfying as GOW's but, while it's decent enough, fighting in this game is clunky and far too reliant on mashing square.
It's like playing a version of GOW created in a parallel universe, one where it hasn't had quite the same level of talent - and cash - thrown at it. War himself, by the way, is a disappointment. He's just like all the other pissed-off 'anti-heroes' that rule gaming, from Cole of inFamous to that Jet Brody bloke from Fracture. The only thing differentiating him from them is the chunky armour and the hoodie. War, being the embodiment of war, should radiate fury and charisma but here, he's got less personality than plate of floppy lettuce.
So to the Zelda-style dungeon bits. These require a good deal of thought, and you're often left scratching your head and wondering how the hell you're going to reach the other side of this chasm, or hit that switch a million miles away. But these parts are so inspired by Zelda it's untrue. For instance, you get a new weapon shortly into each 'dungeon', and you'll need to master it to progress. Just like in Zelda. The first one, the Crossblade, is a giant shuriken - but one that comes straight back to you. Like Zelda's boomerang. And you'll use it to hit multiple enemies or switches at once. Like in Zelda. There are even bombs growing out of leafy pods on the ground. Like in Zelda. And there's always a big boss battle after each dungeon. Like in Zelda.
Actually, these are pretty impressive, from giant she-bat Tiamat to screeching multi-legged demon The Griever, and are certainly among the game's high points. Later on, you'll be able to get your horse, Ruin, and ride him across the game's map. Like in Shadow Of The Colossus. Oh, and Zelda. Sadly, Darksiders does none of these things anywhere near as well as Zelda - the puzzles aren't as in-depth, the locations are less inspiring (a flooded subway station? Really?) and the sense of awe and discovery pales in comparison to Link's adventures.
Darksiders' similarities to Zelda and God Of War certainly aren't a bad thing - there are far worse games to be inspired by - but the best titles transcend their inspirations, and this is something Darksiders fails to do. God Of War could loosely be described as Devil May Cry in ancient Greece, but you never notice when you're playing it. When a game is worse than its source material, this feels jarring. Resi 5 was, understandably, almost a carbon copy of Resi 4, but it lacked the magic and freshness of its predecessor.
And that's Darksiders' problem. Held on its own merits, it's enjoyable, but there are better games out there. Even now, at the start of 2010 there are two new, very similar action titles - Bayonetta and Dante's Inferno - that pack more of a punch and leave this game in the shade.
Im loving this game at the mo, very cool mix of other games rolled into one sharp package!!! defo a 9 out 10 game me thinks....PLUS MARK HAMILL IS IN IT!!!!!
what an utterly trite and inaccurate review. It's nothing like god of war. now dante's Inferno thats a carbon copy of God of war even down to the fricking life bar. I've heard the comparisons to zelda before, considering the 360 and PS3 will never see a zelda game how is this a bad thing. It's also incredibly short sighted to and lazy to spend an entire review telling us what other games use similar mechanics rather than talk about the games own merits.
However the funny thing is that i wouldn't compare it to god of war or Zelda. But Soul Reaver. It had an almost identicla blend of platforming puzzle solving and neigh on identical combat. It like Darksiders is incredibly fun to play.
I picked this up on the way home from lunch and i have to say that from the little i've played it's really enjoyable. the character design is really solid, the story is an interesting take on an old tale which kind of reminds me of Night watch. well the premise at least. Combat relatively fluid and chucking cars at angels doesn't seem to get old.
So far 8/10. Well worth a look. And actually runs better on the PS3 than the 360 for a change.
I don't think there is anything wrong with copying something that works. I see it as more as a salute to all things good in gaming. If everybody created totally original games all the time the market would be full of games like mirrors edge (Nice initially but ultimately no bang for your buck). Bayonetta is not exactly original but isn't labled in this way. I really think it is unfair to mark a game so heavily on originality.
what an utterly trite and inaccurate review. It's nothing like god of war. now dante's Inferno thats a carbon copy of God of war even down to the fricking life bar. I've heard the comparisons to zelda before, considering the 360 and PS3 will never see a zelda game how is this a bad thing. It's also incredibly short sighted to and lazy to spend an entire review telling us what other games use similar mechanics rather than talk about the games own merits.
However the funny thing is that i wouldn't compare it to god of war or Zelda. But Soul Reaver. It had an almost identicla blend of platforming puzzle solving and neigh on identical combat. It like Darksiders is incredibly fun to play.
I picked this up on the way home from lunch and i have to say that from the little i've played it's really enjoyable. the character design is really solid, the story is an interesting take on an old tale which kind of reminds me of Night watch. well the premise at least. Combat relatively fluid and chucking cars at angels doesn't seem to get old.
So far 8/10. Well worth a look. And actually runs better on the PS3 than the 360 for a change.
I agree this is more Raziel than Kratos/Link, only thing missing from what little I have played is the Temporal Shifting (or whatever it is) that Raziel does.
Now if CD would make a Soul Reaver for this gen I would be happy.
And actually runs better on the PS3 than the 360 for a change.
Apparently both versions have some glaring issues, but luckily those issues are going to get rectified via a patch. However, the word on the street appears to be:
360 version
► Terrible tearing ► Lower framerate ► Better AA ► More vivid colours
PS3 version
► Far less tearing ► Better framerate ► Bad aliasing ► Washed out colours
Honestly, get whatever version you'd like as I'm sure they'll both control great. Personally, I was leaning towards the PS3 version initially, but a dev posted on GAF that they're looking at patching the performance issues (which I'm assuming means tearing and framerate on the 360 version), so I am somewhat torn between the two right now.
My question is how did the game get released with tearing issues? If they can solve this over a patch then why couldn't they have fixed the game to begin with. Don't want to nag but patches seem like a way for a game developer to decide if the extra effort into fixing the game is worth the cost of fixing it.
I'll be giving only the big games a chance this year, due to money and time constraints, in equal measure.
I can't see the point in buying Darksiders or Dante's Inferno when GOWIII and Splinter Cell are just around the corner - not to mention the fact that I am still trying to complete GOW collection and Dragon Age.
Any other year and I'd have been all over these games, including Bayonetta - but not this year.
I'll consider them if there is a lull in the summer. However, I have an inkling that Alan Wake and GT5 will be taking up all my time by then.
I got the Ps3 version of Darksiders becasue of the reports, but more over becasue my 360 is currently in Germany getting fixed.
@ Mark. I wouldn't write off the likes of Bayonetta and Darksiders, Considering the rave reviews Bayonetta's getting it might actually turn out to be better than GOW3. Certainly looks to be the more original of the 2. Then again GOW is the final part of an awesome trilogy.
I got the Ps3 version of Darksiders becasue of the reports, but more over becasue my 360 is currently in Germany getting fixed.
@ Mark. I wouldn't write off the likes of Bayonetta and Darksiders, Considering the rave reviews Bayonetta's getting it might actually turn out to be better than GOW3. Certainly looks to be the more original of the 2. Then again GOW is the final part of an awesome trilogy.
I quite fancy Darksiders. It looks like my type of game, so I will get it eventually.
Bayonetta, on the other hand, is just not my cup of tea. It looks far too bonkers barmy for my taste - and my favourite games tend to have good stories. Also, I find the lead character a turn-off.
Regardless of score - and the fact that I have the option to buy the superior 360 version - it just doesn't appeal to me.
Fair enough. Different strokes and all that. I on the other hand tend to really enjoy incredibly off the wall games. Platinum games seem to be making a name for themselves in specialiszing in that kind of mayhem. Then again clover was one of my favourite devs and they are basically the same studio with a different name.
Owing to the snow I've been afforded an unexpected day off, so I thought I'd use the day very productively by avoiding the ironing that my woman expected me to do (ha ha ha!) and playing Darksiders instead.
I must say, I read numerous reviews of this and this seems to be the harshest of all. Surely even the mighty GOW could be accused of being a bit 'mashy' and getting through the whole thing by pressing one button. I can remember using almost exclusively one combo in GOW 1 and 2 that saw me through even the most fearsome boss fights. Personally, I'm loving Darksiders. I find it impossible not to enjoy tearing the wings off angels and slicing demonic things into 17 pieces with a sword which you can upgrade to CATCH ON FIRE!!!!!!
about people saying darksiders ps3 being washed out.....if it is then wtf the ps3 version on my tv is awsome sharp and very vibrant and colourfull...but hey i often find these reports of differences between ps3 games and 360 games utter bull
Not having played the "Bayonetta" demo nor having received my pre-order copy of "Darksiders" yet I can't comment from actual hands-on impressions. That said, what I've seen of "Bayonetta" in various videos and read in numerous reviews and user comments, that game strikes me as being just a tad bit too silly and quite possibly a highly repetitive button masher. I could be wrong which is why I'm willing to give "Bayonetta" a try once the price for it drops.
Conversely "Darksiders" had my attention from the very first time I stumbled upon a video clip of it. I like the fact that it's colourful in a variety of different environments despite having a heavy apocalyptic theme. That's another aspect of the game that appeals to me: The fact that it deals with an "end of times" scenario. Furthermore, not having played a Zelda game since playing one on the original Gameboy I look forward to getting a similar experience (with colour!) on my Xbox 360 as well as an assortment of puzzles.
My opinion may change when I play "Darksiders", and should I ever play "Bayonetta" I might even find that to be the more entertaining game. Alternatively I might find both enjoyable for different reasons, yet at present time I have decided to pick "Darksiders" over "Bayonetta" and for me personally, I am confident it is the better fit.
And actually runs better on the PS3 than the 360 for a change.
Apparently both versions have some glaring issues, but luckily those issues are going to get rectified via a patch. However, the word on the street appears to be:
360 version
► Terrible tearing ► Lower framerate ► Better AA ► More vivid colours
PS3 version
► Far less tearing ► Better framerate ► Bad aliasing ► Washed out colours
Honestly, get whatever version you'd like as I'm sure they'll both control great. Personally, I was leaning towards the PS3 version initially, but a dev posted on GAF that they're looking at patching the performance issues (which I'm assuming means tearing and framerate on the 360 version), so I am somewhat torn between the two right now.
My question is how did the game get released with tearing issues? If they can solve this over a patch then why couldn't they have fixed the game to begin with. Don't want to nag but patches seem like a way for a game developer to decide if the extra effort into fixing the game is worth the cost of fixing it.
Thanks for the "heads-up", Chris. This may just be the thing that finally pushes me to connect my Xbox 360 to an internet connection for the first time!
My question is how did the game get released with tearing issues? If they can solve this over a patch then why couldn't they have fixed the game to begin with. Don't want to nag but patches seem like a way for a game developer to decide if the extra effort into fixing the game is worth the cost of fixing it.
probably time and money that sent it out with issues, every game has issues but a judgement is made on severity i expect. if they can fix quickly and easily and be low severity its likely to go out what with time pressures in place a lot of the time.
My question is how did the game get released with tearing issues? If they can solve this over a patch then why couldn't they have fixed the game to begin with. Don't want to nag but patches seem like a way for a game developer to decide if the extra effort into fixing the game is worth the cost of fixing it.
probably time and money that sent it out with issues, every game has issues but a judgement is made on severity i expect. if they can fix quickly and easily and be low severity its likely to go out what with time pressures in place a lot of the time.
I read an interview in Edge this month with the director of The Creative Assembly (who make the Total War games). When he was asked about the buggy state of total war empire when released, he just blamed it all on the publisher demanding a release date that they had to stick to - regardless of the bugs that they knew existed!
That said, what I've seen of "Bayonetta" in various videos and read in numerous reviews and user comments, that game strikes me as being just a tad bit too silly and quite possibly a highly repetitive button masher. I could be wrong which is why I'm willing to give "Bayonetta" a try once the price for it drops.
It is what you put into it. If you just play it on easy/normal and mash buttons then of course it'll come across as a button masher, but so would Street Fighter, Virtua Fighter, any of the Cave shooters... But then, just like those other games, you'd be totally missing the point of the game. You need to want to plumb its depths, its battle and combo systems, its intricacies. If you just want to get through it and see the ending then Bayonetta isn't for you, you'll probably get bored and won't understand what all the fuss is about. It's a score attack game just like a scrolling shooter, you're supposed to perfect your technique and style and keep going back for massive scores and clean runs.
If that sounds like something that you could get into then go for it, if you can't think of anything worse than trying to get high scores as stylishly as possible then I'd give it a miss.
I've only had chance to play it for an hour or two but am absolutely loving it so far. Same with Darksiders. I only got to play that for an hour or so last night but really enjoyed it. I can see both of them battling for my time this weekend, and Bayonetta especially for a long time to come.
Well I for one thought Dante's Inferno was derivative bull s**te and far more worthy of the accusations of plagiarism levelled at Darksiders.
As someone said above, there is no game like Zelda on the PS3 or Xbox so Darksiders is a nice little homage.
Comparing Bayonetta and Dantes Inferno to this is a bit unfair as they are both rigidly hack and slashers whereas Darksiders is definately more of an action RPG.
Stingy score. I'm loving this game at the moment precicely for the reason that it feels familiar. Really fun to play and actually quite refreshing in it's gameplay. Best game I've played for a while
Well I for one thought Dante's Inferno was derivative bull s**te and far more worthy of the accusations of plagiarism levelled at Darksiders.
As someone said above, there is no game like Zelda on the PS3 or Xbox so Darksiders is a nice little homage.
Comparing Bayonetta and Dantes Inferno to this is a bit unfair as they are both rigidly hack and slashers whereas Darksiders is definately more of an action RPG.
Probably true for most, but I haven't played a GoW game, so it was cool for me personally.
That said, what I've seen of "Bayonetta" in various videos and read in numerous reviews and user comments, that game strikes me as being just a tad bit too silly and quite possibly a highly repetitive button masher. I could be wrong which is why I'm willing to give "Bayonetta" a try once the price for it drops.
It is what you put into it. If you just play it on easy/normal and mash buttons then of course it'll come across as a button masher, but so would Street Fighter, Virtua Fighter, any of the Cave shooters... But then, just like those other games, you'd be totally missing the point of the game. You need to want to plumb its depths, its battle and combo systems, its intricacies. If you just want to get through it and see the ending then Bayonetta isn't for you, you'll probably get bored and won't understand what all the fuss is about. It's a score attack game just like a scrolling shooter, you're supposed to perfect your technique and style and keep going back for massive scores and clean runs.
If that sounds like something that you could get into then go for it, if you can't think of anything worse than trying to get high scores as stylishly as possible then I'd give it a miss.
I've only had chance to play it for an hour or two but am absolutely loving it so far. Same with Darksiders. I only got to play that for an hour or so last night but really enjoyed it. I can see both of them battling for my time this weekend, and Bayonetta especially for a long time to come.
Cheers Theideal. The way you put it persuades me that "Bayonetta" will be of little interest to me. While I can appreciate a well executed chain of attacks, or a larger battle plan, etc., what has always interested me the most with any game is the progression of the story/plot. There is the odd exception such as establishing a low-tiered football club in "Fifa 10", yet this relates to the concept of building/strategy games which I also enjoy tremendously mixed with the thrill of the rush of battle/facing adversity and overcoming it through cunning strategy and brute force when need be. Since my favourite genres tend to be RPG, FPS and strategy games it seems I have indeed picked the better fit of the two ("Darksiders" vs. "Bayonetta" in regards to my personal tastes. Thanks for the apt description.
what an utterly trite and inaccurate review. It's nothing like god of war. now dante's Inferno thats a carbon copy of God of war even down to the fricking life bar. I've heard the comparisons to zelda before, considering the 360 and PS3 will never see a zelda game how is this a bad thing. It's also incredibly short sighted to and lazy to spend an entire review telling us what other games use similar mechanics rather than talk about the games own merits.
However the funny thing is that i wouldn't compare it to god of war or Zelda. But Soul Reaver. It had an almost identicla blend of platforming puzzle solving and neigh on identical combat. It like Darksiders is incredibly fun to play.
I picked this up on the way home from lunch and i have to say that from the little i've played it's really enjoyable. the character design is really solid, the story is an interesting take on an old tale which kind of reminds me of Night watch. well the premise at least. Combat relatively fluid and chucking cars at angels doesn't seem to get old.
So far 8/10. Well worth a look. And actually runs better on the PS3 than the 360 for a change. WHERESMYMONKEY on 8 Jan '10
Honestly you even have a bteer review of this game than the so called experts who just do nothing but talk trash... everyone seems to forget that even David Jaffe of God of War admitted copying from devil may cry and onimusha. It's really becoming sickening to know that these "reviewers" don't even know their games. Anyone whose played soul reaver would know that Darksiders is more akin to that than GoW and zelda. These "reviewers" are only saying that bcos Joe Mad., said so, i'm sure if he said the game was like ninja gaiden and mario that's what all the "reviewers" will be saying too.. SMH.
The whole washed out colours crap on the ps3 is because nobody ever turns their rgb to full in the video options of the ps3. I did it the other day, and now there's no dust covering the graphics. Not that i ever noticed it before someone pointed it out...I was too busy actually playing the games.
I'll get around to this once i finish playing Borderlands...which will hopefully be a long time yet.
However, calling a game derivative because it takes from other games is rather short sighted. Its how they use those parts in the whole that matters. Darksiders seems to do it very well, and I agree with the Soul Reaver comparison. Now if only they would make a 4th Soul Reaver game.....
Why do great games always score less for being like Zelda. It is the single greatest game to copy and really more games should do so. Zelda is one of the greatest videogame templates and there is a complete shortage of adventure games that require the old noggin these days. i am actually preferring this to the Twilight Princess, which I thought was substandard Zelda gaming. I love the graphics and the characters of this game and hope they turn it into a franchise.
Interestingly it seems that the professional reviewers and the customer reviews are the exact opposite between "Darksiders" and "Bayonetta". Guess there is no accounting for taste then.
Im really enjoying this, probably because Im a huge GOW fan. I love the style and art direction, the voice acting is superb. Some of the environments arent great but the outdoor areas are pretty breath taking.
I just think its a nice beefy action game, I dont see who wouldnt enjoy it
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in regards to my personal tastes. Thanks for the apt description. 
