Damnation Image
Metascore

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 17 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

  • Summary: Evolving the shooter genre with its unique combination of fluid action and combat, Damnation features huge, open environments, frenetic combat, daredevil acrobatics and high-octane vehicle-based stunts. Presenting players with an intense test of reflexes, quick thinking and rapid-fire conflict, Damnation features vast, breathtaking landscapes, each covering miles of distance and thousands of vertical feet. Billed as a "shooter gone vertical" and visually inspired by iconic elements of American history, these massive streaming landscapes form the battlegrounds for a post-industrial conflict between humanity and an unstoppable arms dealer hell-bent on total world domination. Players choose their own paths and navigate the world by performing daredevil feats on the edge of human ability. Intelligent enemies give chase and engage players in frantic gun fights and attacks that can come from any direction. With up to three hours of actual gameplay stretching out in front of them per level, players need more than just muscle power to get across each level safely. Damnation offers players a selection of vehicles, from motorbikes capable of launching across seemingly infinite chasms, to huge, armour-piercing marvels that induce mayhem with every huge shell. The high action is supported by an epic and in-depth story which, while focusing on the exploits of the hero character Rourke, is truly an ensemble piece. Players meet and become involved in intricate story plots that reveal much more than the obvious. In addition to the single player experience, Damnation comes complete with a unique set of multiplayer options that take full advantage of the game’s expansive levels. [Codemasters] Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 17
  2. Negative: 12 out of 17
  1. Damnation is a useless action game especially for core gamers. If only the developers had fulfiled their promises, we could have had a pretty cool game. Now you can enjoy the vertical architecture and nothing more. [May 2009]
  2. The big picture is impressive, but if the devil is in the details, this is his pitchfork jabbed right up your fundament. [Aug 2009, p.86]
  3. Epic, steampunk fail. [Aug 2009, p.96]
  4. Damnation's good ideas are unfortunately never matched by its rough, unfinished and unsatisfying execution. [Issue#21, p.56]

See all 17 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 27
  2. Negative: 16 out of 27
  1. MarkD
    10
    I thought this was a great game. It was exciting, as well as the huge jumping environment added alot of joy. It seemed to have a bit of a puzzle element as well (even though they werent hard in any sense just a bit different). Certain levels seemed like they would be more fun in co-op mode but I just played this in single player mode only. Overall the play, the AI and Weapons gave me a good time. I was upset to see this game scored so low. Expand
  2. Basically I liked this game and I think of it as an older version of Assassins 3, with a lot more shooting. However, I got so involved with puzzle solving and wall jumping that I tended to lose track of the story line. Unfortunately, the story line isn't new and it is somewhat boring. Still, I believe this is a good game and it is appropriate for an old guy like me who has to play all games dumbed down to easy level. Expand
  3. JamesH.
    7
    I thought the game was pretty good. I don't know if the people who reviewed it ever even played it, but I just beat it in a day and a half with my friend. Great game co-op; co-op plays out the same as it does in like Gears of War. Jumping is pretty easy to do, sometimes you can get lost where you are exactly, but the route is fairly linear so you are still moving forward, and played to jump are typically laid out well to see like being a yellow color. Enemy AI seems fine, they don't just stand there, they move about and are decent shots. Definately glad I played it with a friend, think it wouldnt have been nearly as good solo. Several times you ride a bike and the track routes seem pretty well laid out, lots of fun jumps. All in all not the best game, but certainly good, and worth a try, especially if you need a co-op game. Expand
  4. AnonymousMC
    3
    Yup. Its really that bad. Besides the rediculous story arch, the ugly controls, and the terrible gun play there is something more I wish to mention. So it says it uses the Unreal Engine. Well I think they just used Gears of War 2. (Which also uses the unreal engine by the by) Anyone who has played GoW2 will notice a close connection to the guns used in Damnation...IF FACT! THEY ARE EXACTLY THE SAME! Minus being fun and effective. Sure they changed the skin of the gun, but its the same guns! They even use the same friggin crosshairs! Also you'll notice an almost exact copy of the ingame menu from GoW2. Also your made to collect these little glowing discs throughout the game *COUGH COUGH* Cog Tags! And you'd think if they were going to out right copy another games ideas they surely couldn't F*#$ it up with Gears of War but somehow they still manage to make it unenjoyable. Thanks Damnation! Expand

See all 27 User Reviews