Metascore
58 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 40 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 40
  2. Negative: 5 out of 40
  1. To say that Dark Kingdom is the whole package in its class would be an understatement. [Jan. 2007, p.62]
  2. Dark Kingdom isn't particularly innovative, and it falls prey to a number of RPG clichés, but when it comes to the important things – the hacking and the slashing – it performs admirably.
  3. The graphics are commendable, but not amazing, the sound is arguably the game's best quality, and overall, comes as a game that is best suited for fans of games of this nature only.
  4. It's a pretty standard action RPG with simple controls and decent action.
  5. It isn't that Dark Kingdom is broken in any way, but the game lacks the sense of grandeur that can be seen in other next-generation games.
  6. A legend that should have stayed untold. [Feb 2007]
  7. 67
    Early bosses can be defeated by simply standing right in front of them and persistently pressing of the x button.
  8. An old-fashioned game that will entertain for a few hours. [Apr 2007, p.66]
  9. As a fan of the Norrath series, I hope SOE can salvage this mess for future releases because this simply doesn't cut it, especially on the dawn of the next-gen console race.
  10. While the voice acting isn't exactly awful, it is a bit disappointing. On the other hand, the score throughout the game is done very well and helps create an entire epic feeling, which fits well with the game.
  11. 66
    As with its handheld predecessors, Dark Kingdom is a game that can be enjoyable to hardcore fans of the genre who are willing to overlook its flaws, but probably not to anyone else.
  12. 65
    If people are looking for a true next gen action RPG experience, they're not going to find it here. Plagued with current gen issues and repetitive combat, Dark Kingdom feels like it was ported over to the PS3 from a pre-existing console.
  13. A mediocre attempt at furthering a genre that has almost completely stalled in its progress. Thankfully, fans of the genre will continue to feel right at home with Dark Kingdoms, but they will have to suffer through some annoying anomalies to fully enjoy it.
  14. Untold Legends sticks to its roots and doesn't quite feel like it's made the jump to the next-generation.
  15. Far more action than RPG, and along with a ridiculously linear path and almost no variety in gameplay, even lacking a decent story and highly dumbed-down mechanics, there's not a whole lot to recommend here unless you really, really love the genre and don't mind playing something that doesn't require as much micromanagement while waiting for some legitimate entries on PS3.
  16. Dark Kingdom has its failings, but it still isn't "bad"; it's just old fashioned and disappointing, especially when compared to modern action RPGs like "Marvel Ultimate Alliance."
  17. The role-playing elements are lightweight, and while the combat can be flashy, it's also pretty uncomplicated. It can be fun for a while, but monotony eventually sets in, and you find yourself wondering why this technically modest game is on the PlayStation 3 in the first place.
  18. Sixty bucks for this experience is just asking too much. [Jan. 2007, p.84]
  19. It does one thing right: it has a ton of hack-and-slash action. Beyond that, it doesn't have many redeeming features. A long list of small bugs, weak role-playing elements and an atrocious camera prevent it from being a worthy purchase.
  20. Graphics bump aside, little has changed since we clicked the mouse one million times in "Diablo."
  21. 60
    Granted, the snappy graphics are pretty boss, even in standard definition (and you'll notice a difference if you use an S-Video cable instead of the plain old composites), but that's just not enough to warrant the label next-gen -- not when you've got a machine as powerful as the PS3 flaunting its Cell processor.
  22. 60
    A shallow and simpleminded title that holds a faint glimmer of fun. There's nothing here that you'd want to play for more than a few minutes, but ironically enough, that qualifies Dark Kingdom as one of the more tolerable PS3 launch games.
  23. A decent PS3 debut quest, but this by-the-book RPG is nowhere near what we expect from Sony's new machine. [Mar 2007, p.76]
  24. Everything in place functions okay, but there's not one single aspect of the game that excels in terms of quality, and there are just too many problems that ultimately cripple the overall package.
  25. From the experience of killing bugs, to the last-gen graphics, and the unfinished gameplay I would say skip this one entirely. That is unless you're an Action RPG freak who has the ability to play online.
  26. The flaws are numerous, even in comparison to other launch games, but if you want to spend a mindless weekend full of fantastical hacking-and-slashing it's not a terrible choice.
  27. 54
    Old, safe, and completely uninspired, Untold Lgends is only saved from the humiliation of being the worst of the launch games by its plodding competence. [Issue 148, p.86]
  28. Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom is just plain boring.
  29. If you take out storytelling and character building, then add in mediocre gameplay, what do you have? A pretty action title that stumbles far more than it struts.
  30. At best, it's a simple hack and slasher with an okay Co-op mode, but 10 minutes of play is all it takes to realise how shoddy the action is.
  31. Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom could have got away with some of its shortcomings had it not been on a next-gen console that arrived over a year after its main rival.
  32. With "Oblivion" looming, Untold Legends' one-noe gameplay feels woefully outdated. [Apr 2007, p.116]
  33. Overall, it's a disappointing effort at best, and only recommended if you're a sports-,car-,and gun-allergic PS3 owner grasping for something to play. [Jan. 2007, p.74]
  34. So it all boils down to how long you can stand to button mash and devote points to basic character growth, and little else. The storyline never really picks up, your chosen character never becomes interesting, and the gameplay never evolves past the original premise.
  35. Graphical problems and monotonous gameplay make this another lacklustre entry in the franchise. [Apr 2007, p.64]
  36. If you've already hacked through any of the "Champions of Norrath" or "Baldur's Gate" PS2 games, then you'll find little here to hold your interest. [Jan. 2007, p.80]
  37. It's a game that, like other examples of the genre, is utterly simplistic, and little more than a carefully engineered route down the reward pathway of the player's brain.
  38. 40
    To be fair, Dark Kingdom doesn't have any single game-destroying flaw, except perhaps for that murderous bastard camera. It's an average, if occasionally very frustrating example of a genre that's abundantly represented on other platforms.
  39. 40
    Mind-numbing button mashing with unremarkable stages can only be used to help you forget about the six hundred dollars that you blew on a system to play a game no better than its PSP cousin.
  40. The title feels incomplete with its mix of mediocre graphics and pared down gameplay mechanics. Even die hard hack-and-slash fans will be hard pressed to find enjoyment throughout this launch title.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 3 out of 12
  1. DonM.
    9
    Ideal game for those new to RPG and for those that don't want to spend a lot of time role playing (no wasting time buying and selling items). I enjoyed the challenge of beating the bosses; each had their strengths and weakness. Only after learning about their characteristics are you able to beat them. I finished the game alone and look forward to doing it again in 2 player mode with my girlfriend as an intro to RPG. Full Review »
  2. AaronP.
    9
    VERY GOOD. Its like a world of warcraft for ps3.
  3. I actually liked UT:DK a lot. Was one of the first PS3 games that I had ever played. Gameplay was fun. Graphics are very colorful and shiny. Character models and enemies are ok looking. The story is kind of dumb doesn't make a lot of sense and the voice acting is by far the worst part of the game. This game is somewhat like Champions of Norrath with better graphics. You can choose from 3 classes a warrior, an assassin-ish type character who duel wields weapons and a mage. I had the most fun playing as a mage. There is slight customization at that you can change the color scheme of the clothes your character is wearing while you are selecting who you want to play as. It's not like it's mind blowing or amazing to do this but it is still something. This is an old hack and slash and in my eyes it's relatively fun. If you don't care about story or epic voice acting and just want to kill enemies it can be an enjoyable experience. It has cooperative so that makes it better. Full Review »