A First Look into The Darkness

[Dr.Finger]

Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=77608)gives us a detailed look at the soon-to-be released shooter - The Darkness. Based on the comic series, and developed by Starbreeze (the team behind The Chronicles of Riddick: Butcher Bay) The Darkness puts you in the shoes of mafia hitman Jackie Estacado who happend to posess a power, or curse, that allows him to manipulate the very darkness around him.While the atmosphere of the game seems impeccable, some aspects remain somewhat rooted in the same design sensibilities we encountered in Chronicles of Riddick. The free-roaming New York environments feature a number of sub-quests, accessed simply by walking up to people and finding out what they need help with. These quests generally reward you with unlockable content (ranging from concept art to entire issues of The Darkness comic). However, they send you around districts which are generally empty of NPC characters, which miraculously repair themselves after firefights and which generally feel a bit more artificial and non-interactive than we've come to expect from next-gen entertainment.

Combined with the game's weak physics system, this can result in The Darkness feeling very much like last generation's gaming wrapped up in a beautiful shell of modern graphics, superb storytelling and great level design - in the version we've played, anyway. However, there's arguably more praise in there than criticism. The Darkness may offer little new or hugely ambitious in its gameplay, but those things which it does, it does better than almost any game of this type we've played. Writing, presentation, pacing, voice acting and minute-to-minute gameplay are all excellent, based on our experience so far. Much as we love innovation, we're perfectly happy to shelve that requirement for a labour of love that simply takes all the old tricks and does them better.

Graphically, it's worth noting, The Darkness is a high point - not as stylised as Gears of War, nor as overtly beautiful, but chock full of dramatic lighting, gorgeous visual effects and imaginative, varied characters and creatures. The presentation, too, rarely misses a beat from what we've seen. One fantastic touch is that every now and then, Jackie appears in a lovingly animated scene where he simply stands in a beam of light, in a darkened room, and addresses the player with his thoughts on the plot, or an anecdote from his life. It took us nearly four hours of play to realise that these well-scripted, engrossing interludes were hiding loading delays.

[GodFather]

I dont know this one seems like an immediate purchase. I loved Riddick and this seems like it will have a great single player. I wonder what the mutli will be like for this.

[lcman92]

This game should be excellent. I love what I've seen in previews and gameplay videos.

[Spiffae]

it's so nice to see a preview that isn't just writers talking about how amazing a game is going to be - they at least leave a little doubt.

[spacemanspiff757]

from what I've seen thus far in previews, I'm looking forward to this game. I've had it on reserve for some time now. I'm wondering if a demo might pop up on Live closer to release..

[keeks]

I'd love for this and Riddick: Dark Athena to come out for the PC. Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay did but unfortunately it didn't sell well. Here's hoping Starbreeze hasn't lost their faith in the Windows platform.

[menage]

If those are the only criticisms, I'm in.

[Spigot]

I do love Riddick. I'm definately going to rent this. If it's good, I'll be buying it when it gets a wee bit cheaper.

[Stryfe01]

I think my gf is getting me this for my birthday or father's day. All depends on when Mass Effect actually comes out...

[Ph00p]

Looks great, nobody has talked about the multiplayer yet thought but according to the achievements, there are multiple modes.

This will be a buy for me pending some reviews(too short then i'll skip, or if there are bugs also skip).

[fps fanatic]

The one thing that concerns me is that I have yet to see footage of the PS3 version. I only have Resistance so far and I would love to get more shooters for the PS3. Every preview I've seen so far is of the 360 version. I have the 360, it's just away getting repaired "again". I'd like to show the PS3 some love and get The Darkness on it. Just worried about the quality of the PS3 version. I know it's not a port, it's being developed at the same time as the 360 version. Hopefully it turns out well, but I think I'll wait for final reviews of both to decide which version I'll get. Maybe if both versions are pretty much the same, I'll probably lean towards the PS3 version, since that hardware's a "little" more reliable! ;)

[Camtron]

I'm with you fps. I just got my 360 back (thankfully in time for the beta), and I just don't want to purchase another game only to have my 360 break. Hopefully the multiplayer will be just as sturdy and the textures won't completely blow like so many other ports.

[the soUL TRAder]

Yeah, I'll have to "must rent" first, but I hope it leads to a quick buy?

Mostly value will be the key for me, either in depth, or replay.

Although, I am getting a little warn on the the games featuring over used gameplay mechanics from generations ago, just because they wrap it in newGen graphics.
We need more newGen gamplay for SP.
Kinda like Shadowrun for the MP :).

[Chaos Machine]

PC gamers over the last few years have started a trend where a compelling single player experience really isn't enough for the platform, those without multi player components typically don't sell well because they don't see the value in it. opting to either pirate it or skip it entirely. consequently single player only games are relegated to a few genres that tend to be open ended to begin with. like 4x space strategy games and rpgs. What was the last AAA single player only pc game that sold well? Oblivion? Galactic Civilizations 2? Now narrow that down to games that aren't a sequel to a proven franchise. As you can see the list in pathetically small.

[bean19]

I'm surprised that the preview says that this game isn't innovative. . . From what I've seen, you gain powers from eating bad guy's hearts, and you can use demons on your shoulders to perform special attacks (the same ones who eat the hearts). There are puzzles where you send one of the little slithering demons out to reconnoiter or to get through obstacles. Additionally, you can summon minions from the dark that assist you.

Also, from what I saw of the videos, my chief criticism would be that the enemies are not all that interesting. . . I like fighting mob people, but at least that video didn't have them talking or playing cards, etc. They just seemed like random soldiers in suits. They patrol, they take cover, and they pop out and shoot. . . we've seen these guys in MGS, Tomb Raider, and a million other games. . . but maybe that's just what I got from the few minutes of video that I got to see. The developer giving the online demo was focused on explaining the Darkness abilities, so maybe there are mobsters that act like mobsters in the game too.

[Ultima Thulian]

The game just looks badass. I really dig the whole demonic element and the cool abilities that entails. This should be pretty cool.

[DeejayKnight]

I had a bit of hands on time with this one. I can't say much about that, but rest assured that I plan on purchasing it :D

[MrE]

Oh yea, this one I will own. Huge Darkness fan since Image / Turner popped up on the scene a little over 10 years ago. Witchblade lost me, but the Darkness has always had a nice grittiness and an anti-hero feel to it. If they capture that feeling in the game then no contest. I will be picking this up on release day.