Darksiders Xbox 360
User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 232 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 183 out of 232
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 232
  3. Negative: 26 out of 232

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  1. AngryWimp
    Jan 5, 2010
    10
    My score of 10, doesn't represent my thoughts that the game is flawless. What it represents, is my feelings of the value of the overall experience of playing the game, which for me, was a 10. I personally had a blast being an Action Hero that can brawl fluidly with the best of them, and being able to do it in a compelling adventure, was for me one of the best times I've had with a single player game in many years. Can't wait to see what Vigil does next!… Expand
  2. DonnieS.
    Jan 7, 2010
    10
    A fully realized and superbly presented work of fiction that is captivating as it is explosive. All the pieces pulled from other puzzles, like it's god of war weapons leveling, were given far more relevance with a sense of investment unrivaled in the action genre. An IP truly worthy of our attention and our cash.
  3. RonS.
    Jan 7, 2010
    10
    This game just blew my mind. Yeah it is Zelda + Devil May Cry + X. I just love it love it love it! Finishing took me about 18 hours. In normal difficulty it is a pretty easy game if you have played Zelda before. I really recommend this game to everyone who likes some over the to "badassery", if you can´t stand this kind of feel to a game... this one probably isn´t for you. If this one had come out in 09 it would have been my game of the year even surpassing games like dragon age or Assassins Creed 2, but that is just me. It truly is an awesome experience.… Expand
  4. GilF.
    Jan 6, 2010
    10
    This game was surprisingly fun. I was expecting a GoW rip off but I was very wrong. It has good action, great level design and top notch voice acting. A must have gmae.
  5. [Anonymous]
    Jan 7, 2010
    10
    This game combines all of the best elements from both Legend of Zelda and God of War. Anyone who was a fan of either two games will feel right at home with this game. I myself am nearly finished with the game, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience.
  6. TravisH.
    Jan 7, 2010
    10
    Beautiful, gory, massive and thoroughly entertaining is what comes to mind about this game that has quickly hacked, slashed, and shot it's way to my top 5 games of the past 12 months. War is one of the four horsemen, responsible for enforcing a peace treaty between heaven hell. Blamed for triggering the apocalypse on earth early, War sits wrongly accused in front of the council before being stripped of his powers and setting out on a journy to solve the mystery and punish those responsible for his framing. Though gameplay may have hints of games such as Zelda and God of War, it never goes to the extent of completely ripping them off. Instead it embraces tried and true gameplay with fresh ideas to become a monster of it's own. The combat is face paced, beautifulyl staged and downright fun. The amount of customization and combos is really beyond other games of this type. Weapons level up as you use them and one weapon enhancement can be added to each. These enhancements play a big role in combat and can be mixed and matched to your liking. War's primary weapon is the Chaoseater, a giant sword that decimates anyone who crosses its path. Over time you will aquire weapons like the scythe a weapon that's strengths are distance melee and dispatching groups of enemies, and the tremor gaunlet a powerful and massive glove that when charged smashes the ground and creates a visually pleasing smash. Along with your primary and secondary weapons War can have one gear item equipped as well which is mapped to the right trigger. Though very useful(and completely necassary) for solving puzzles, these gear items also add a new dynamic to the combat. They are dulled out at just the right times in the story and become an integral role to combat and puzzles alike. The crossblade is a 4 sided thrown item that can be chained together to slice up multiple enemies, while mercy is War's trusty pistol that can be used to keep enemies and the air and chain together devestating combos. War also gains passive abilities. As you earn them they are always with War throughout the game, and there is no need to equip them. My favorite has you holding A down to have War sprout massive beautiful wings that allow him to glide to otherwise unreachable areas. I mean it when I use the term massive. They take up length wise my entire 46" sony bravia xbr and even a few feet of each side is off screen. Another part of combat consists of War's wrath abilities which include blade geyser, a movie that summons blades all around War and damages any enemies in the vicinity. wrath ablilities, weapons, consumables and different moves can be bought throughout the game from vulgrid, a nasty demon who honestly creeps me out a bit.Also, Vulgrim can be used about a quarter through the game to travel tunnels and quickly transport to new areas and back and forth. This is essential as the game really is pretty big. The puzzles are prefect when it comes to my taste in games. Some games get to serious and make the puzzles brain smacking hard, while others make them seem more like childsplay than a challenge. Darksiders fits comfortably between the two, being hard enough to satisfy but not so hard you'll plant your controller through your flat screen. The characters in the game and the world itself look absolutely stunning in HD. It's quite obvious that Joe Mad(an extreme talent) was involved deeply with the creative design as the characters are bulky and satifying. The world itself is nicely tectured and you may find yourself exploring just to see all of the amazing details the design team packed into this masterpeice. The enemies and bosses are astounding,, and War is one of my favorite characters in a video games of all time. To sum it up, Darksiders is a sleeper hit in the making. With it's fast paced in your face combat, and it's, masterfully staged puzzles and exploration, Vigil game's Darksiders is everything people have been waiting for in a next-gen game. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up, it's time for me to get back to slaying some demons!… Expand
  7. AlyxandorM.
    Jan 7, 2010
    10
    This is a brilliant release from Vigil and they have blended all of my favorite gameplay styles together.
  8. mitchm.
    Jan 8, 2010
    10
    Like a Next Gen "Soul Reaver" (one of my all time favorite games)
  9. TomN
    Jan 16, 2010
    10
    This game is so good, it shocked me. Outstanding art direction, brilliant level design, diverse gameplay styles, deep but easy to learn combat system, and mature violent post-apocalyptic setting make this a must play. It's definately a Zelda style rpg (not for kids though), but completely unique. It is true that the gameplay feels familiar, but it's the good kind of familiar, like taking your favorite sweater out of the dryer. If you grew up playing Zelda, but are now an adult, you must buy this. Everyone else will have a great ride too.… Expand
  10. EricP.
    Jan 6, 2010
    10
    I have not had this much fun going through a game, since Devil May Cry 4 almost 2 years ago. Not to mention is also brings back the same feeling I had while playing Zelda OOT. Sure the game borrows elements from other games, but I will not fault it since it is so much fun to play.
  11. D-KAKES
    May 10, 2011
    10
    Fanboys with the progressive mindset will hate on this game (many, seemingly, without even having played it) just because it doesn't really bring anything revolutionary/new to gamers. And now the big debate seems to surround the comments originally made by a reviewer for IGN, who stated that it's a hybrid of God of War and Zelda. Well here's the deal, folks: this game is Zelda meets Dante's Inferno (or God of War, although I've only played the first installment). Yes, it doesn't bring anything new, but it's classic action-adventure fun. Enjoyed this more than Devil May Cry 4 or Bayonetta, which also seem to draw comparisons to Darksiders, but I found those 2 games to be extremely difficult and not as enjoyable. Yes, there are times where there is screen-tearing but I don't notice it because I don't seek it out to point to as a fault. Any jaggies or visual defects are minor and should, by no means, "ruin your experience" (as one reviewer put it). Play on Apocalyptic mode the first playthrough, IMO, because Easy and Normal are *too* easy. Verdict: If you've read "God of War meets Zelda" and that idea excites you, then play Darksiders. The IGN writer got that comparison spot on, and now that the game is available for $20 brand new, you'll surely find Darksiders to be one of your best value-to-fun ratio purchases that you've had for your Xbox 360.… Expand
  12. Jarbas6
    Jan 28, 2012
    10
    Darksiders is great. There is kind of an open-world (pretty small compared to sandbox games, but big enough for this one) that you can explore while doing the main story, and as you proceed you will find collectibles that you will be able to get only when you unlock a special kind of gear. The collectibles you will have to get are very worthy, as they help increasing your maximum life, wrath (so you can use special abilities), pieces of Abyssal Armor (if you get all the pieces you will unlock the armor and you can import it for later playthroughs) and artifacts that you can switch for souls (which you also find in chests and killing enemies) and is the game's currency so you can buy upgrades and others with Vulgrim, a kind of demon (?) that is in most of the game's locations. Gears are awesome, there's from a crossblade which you can lock on to enemies to a kind of portal gun to solve puzzles, about 6 different gears. There are a primary weapon, the Chaoseater Blade, and two secondary, the Scythe and the Tremor Gauntlets, and plenty of combos for you to do with them (so the combat is not repetitive as many say), and more that you can buy with Vulgrim. Story is not perfect, but still great, and the main missions take you about 15 hours to do. Graphics are amazing, there is screen tearing but it doesn't bother you much, and the locals are just beautiful, from open places with waterfalls and grass to caves with big spiders. You will find a lot to unlock, the collectibles and some challenging achievements. This game is not perfect (as none is), and may borrow elements from other games, but is incredibly fun and you will find yourself coming back for more. An underrated title and a must buy for every hack and slash fan.… Expand
  13. Ps3blaze22
    Feb 24, 2012
    10
    OMFG!! This game is by FAR the most UNDERRATED game this gen! Its a **** amazing game.. I dont know why some people hate it, i recommend every "REAL" gamer to buy this AMAZING MASTERPIECE!!!
  14. Mohammad22
    Feb 24, 2012
    10
    Darksiders is by FAR the most UNDERRATED game this gen! Its an amazing game.. I dont know why some people hate it, i recommend every "REAL" game to buy this AMAZING game
  15. Bdawg916
    Nov 22, 2011
    10
    I loved it! Some people bash it because it feels like a Zelda game but for the grown ups. Which is fine with me because I haven't liked any zelda game since a link to the past, to childish I guess. Good story, again I loved it, and am awaiting the Sequel.
  16. AwesomeGamer
    Mar 6, 2012
    10
    MOST UNDERRATED GAME EVER!!!!!!

    One of the BEST games ever.. Simply AMAZING! The story is really, the characters are really likeable, and the game is FUN,, i recommend this game to EVERYONE!
  17. paddystudmuffin
    Mar 8, 2012
    10
    Great game nothing similar matches it on the 360 for sheer scale, visceral combat and a great story. Reminds me of soul reaver which is a classic. Can't wait for darksiders 2!!
  18. wesker2012
    May 27, 2012
    10
    One of the best gaming experiences ever. This game is masterful. Like a dark version of Zelda. It's such a blast to play thru. Can't wait to play darksiders 2. A true under rated gem.
  19. infamouscowz
    Jul 25, 2012
    10
    This game took me by surprise when I first got it. Zelda mixed with a third person action game what isn't to love? Buying new upgrades for War was a great time as well. The story really well told well always keeping you hooked for the next part. The game also has puzzles mixed in as well which can really test your thinking abilities. The biggest gripe with this game is that it is really easy, almost too easy but playing on the hardest difficulty is when this game shines. No room for mistakes, only success. With the sequel due out soon I can't wait. Truly an amazing franchise.… Expand
  20. Raynes
    Sep 8, 2012
    10
    There are very few games that I have played that I have found nothing wrong with. This is one of them. Darksiders is one of the best games I have ever played. Compare Darksiders to a similar title, Prototype, and you'll understand why I am impressed.

    The combat in this game is indeed button mashing, but that is entirely irrelevant. Taking on the bigger brutes is not button mashing. You     have to charge around and avoid attacks and you have to select your attacks very carefully if you want to survive. Furthermore, the massive variety of attacks available require memorization, motor memory, and skill to master. Can you get by just using basic x x x x x attacks? Probably, yes. But the character animations for the various attacks look so good and feel so powerful that I have trouble not wanting to use them.

    This is a game about creativity. You can be as interesting or as dull as you want. If the combat feels repetitive, make use of a different secondary weapon, buy some new attacks for everything, and wait until you get your next big character upgrade. Every little thing you buy or get as the game's story progresses makes it a whole new and exciting experience.

    You fight a lot of the same enemies in this game, and in any other game it would probably be exceedingly boring. In Darksiders, these enemies are presented to you in spectacular ways. Brief cutscenes as the creatures emerge from portals on the floor and huge monstrous brutes crashing through a doorway or a portal really gets the blood pumping. It makes the fights feel very dire, and when you've decimated their ranks, you feel like a God.

    The story is minimal, but excellent as well. Things are entirely focused. You know what you're doing and why you're doing it. You don't always have to follow the beaten path in this amazing open world, but the path is there and easy to follow,

    And guys, you play as a horseman of the apocalypse... Need I say more?    … Expand
  21. JaySkillz13
    Jan 3, 2013
    10
    First of all, I've played games before like Zelda, Prototype, Devil May Cry, etc, and they're all good. Darksiders really surpasses them all though in my point of view. I'm glad that I bought this game because when I started it, it was already great from the beginning. War is such an epic Horseman. He gives his story in this game really well. The length of play is fair. It could be more, but that is not a massive issue about this game. The action, acting, and music are great as well as the graphics in the game. Highly recommended to those people who likes post apocalyptic action games!… Expand
  22. JesseJ7
    Apr 26, 2013
    10
    By far, one of the most underrated games i can think of, Darksiders, gets almost everything right, and delivers in well worth your money level of quality and length experience. It is long enough to provide great entertainment but not feel too long. The world is beautiful crafted, and the characters are interesting and fun to discover. Combat is fun and challenging. It perfectly balances something that is extremely hard to do especially in action adventure games: making your character feel bad ass and powerful, while still providing a challenge to the game. They do this with many difficult puzzles in the world, as well as having both War, and his Enemies be powerful. Slowly getting more powers and weapons allows for new access to the world. The various enemies also provides for a strategic gameplay. In my top five for sure. highly recommended.… Expand
  23. BrunoS.
    Jan 8, 2010
    9
    It's annoying to me when game mechanics are lauded for being too similar to that of well known genre defining titles, surely there is room for innovation in the dying Hack and Slash genre. If a new IP comes along and unifies the head scratching, charming puzzle segments of Zelda with the brutal and clever combat of Devil may cry in such a way it praises those games, whilst improving upon them and making itself unique, you've got a perfect game on your hands. The characters are very chunky and likably venemous, very typical of Joe Mads designs. They put me in mind of his shortlived comics Battlechasers melded with Hellboy and a dash of Blizzards scrapped concept art, but it isn't overly stylised. It suits the world Vigil have created perfectly and I think they should be proud of what they achieved. The story is good enough not to fall into cliché territory but I feel the Heaven VS Hell plot has reared it's head a few too many times this month with Bayonetta, and with Dantes Inferno a month away from THAT... Darksiders I feel is a well made adventure with a good story, puzzles and combat that are both immensely satisyfing with a great cast of characters, boasting the vocal talent to back them up. It's just a joy to play, and the homages to other games never outstay their welcome, instead it props the experience firmly on it's shoulders and rises above the rest, 9/10!… Expand
  24. DaveO.
    Jan 7, 2010
    9
    Great game. The technical issues i notiiced like a poor frame rate cant bring this stellar title down. Sure it borrows from other great games, but that doesn't bother me at all as long as its not a shoddy attemp to try and make it look cool. Bring on the sequel
  25. jordann
    Jan 13, 2010
    9
    i have loved this game so for the story is great because it is original yet its something we know at the same time the battle between heaven and hell armorgedon i like how you play as a nutral party in the game game play is great boss's are fun and challenging and i like how it takes time and work to get to your missions and the open world game set is always great i love this game:)
  26. BillC
    Jan 15, 2010
    9
    Darksiders has great gameplay, sound, voice-acting, and graphics (minus the much-publicized 360 version glitches). If you are tired of the short, brown romps passing for action adventure games these days, Darksiders is for you. This game has been treated unfairly by some jaded reviewers for borrowing from Zelda and God of War, and for--gasp!--being colorful. I do not understand why these reviewers fail to concede the fact that offering the market an adult Zelda-style adventure with mature themes and action is a great idea. Sure, the gameplay mechanics are familiar, but for those of us (re: most hardcore gamers) who have happily played endless sequels over the years, we must admit that we appreciate familiar, proven mechanics. And since when did it become a negative to have color? Is there a rule that every "mature" game has to be sepia-toned? Ignore the protests of the Zelda and GOW fanboys who feel some unwritten rule against inspiration has been violated. Darksiders is a long, engaging, welcome addition to the action adventure genre--a genre increasingly moving away from exploring and puzzle-solving toward 6-hour button-mashing routines. My only hangup is the 360 graphics glitches, which prevented a 10. Do yourself a favor and pick up this game; it will remind you why you started playing in the first place--fun.… Expand
  27. KevinT
    Jan 15, 2010
    9
    Mark G, it;s slightly worse but 5 times is complete nonsense. There's a patch coming to address is as it apparently crept in to the Gold versionand not review copies. The patch is with MS already.
  28. JohnV.
    Jan 5, 2010
    9
    If God of War, Devil May Cry, Zelda, and Soul Reaver spliced their genes together, Darksiders is what you'd end up with. Pure gaming goodness for those with an affinity for the greats of the past.
  29. erikS.
    Jan 6, 2010
    9
    Great game, solid controls, beautiful graphics and design, and fun story line.
  30. BrunoL.
    Jan 6, 2010
    9
    Very nice game... Ruin is fantastic. Although the game "borrows" a lot of elements from other games, the story itself is very nice, and the game can stablish itself as a promising title... hope the game is a great success!
  31. PhilG.
    Jan 6, 2010
    9
    Though there are a few poor design choices (like items remaining used if you die and reload the last checkpoint), Darksiders is a must buy for any Xbox owning fans of Legend of Zelda and Ninja Gaiden 2. It is one of the few 'strategic' button mashers out there that requires players to actually use the block button and their heads before mindlessly mashing the 'X' button. Only real cons are some of the voice acting, specifically War's, and a few annoying things like the occasional poorly placed checkpoint. Still a must buy in a month that will no doubt be filled with them.… Expand
  32. JustinJ.
    Jan 9, 2010
    9
    I was surprisingly pleased with my purchase of Darksiders, despite it borrowing the most successful elements of some other games (Zelda especially), Darksiders offers the opportunity to play a game in a huge open world, with a smooth and rewarding combat system (albeit even with the limited amount of execution animations) and amazing monster and character designs.
  33. Josh
    Jan 15, 2010
    9
    This game is really enjoyable. It has nice graphics, strong gameplay and a decent plot. I love the care that went into the interface and production values. It's definitely worth the $60 for a new game. It's nice to see a new IP come out and be good, it seems like half the stuff on the shelf these days is just sequels. Pick it up and you will be pleasantly surprised by its overall quality.… Expand
  34. AnthonyB
    Jan 17, 2010
    9
    wicked game, love the story line, game play was great and pretty free flowing and yeah just an all round kick ass game!
  35. [anonymous]
    Jan 18, 2010
    9
    gorgeous environment, completely immersed great balance of game progression The main character, WAR, has the coolest attitude with all the demons. a very solid 9+
  36. KristianR.
    Jan 12, 2010
    9
    A great, if slightly short, romp through a very good pice of original IP. There should be more hack and slash games of this quality.
  37. CarlosG
    Jan 22, 2010
    9
    Awesome game, fun battle system and awesome legend of zelda inspired dungeons and item. This is a game any Legend of Zelda fan would like to play on HD.
  38. Stumark
    Jun 23, 2011
    9
    I didn't know what to expect when picking up Darksiders, I'd heard things such as "it's Devil May Cry meets Zelda" and after extensive hours of playing that statement is definitely true, however that doesn't make the game unoriginal or stale at all. In fact it combines everything so well that the game feels like a unique experience despite the fact that it barely does anything new. The one-button combat system can be a little frustrating for someone like me where it takes a while to get the rhythm down for different attack moves but once you nail it the combat feels incredibly satisfying. The puzzles aren't too difficult but they do engage you enough so that you actually have to apply some thought which is something that seems to be lacking from most games these days. All in all this is easily one of the best games I've picked up in a while and I'd seriously recommend buying it.… Expand
  39. Sceptic
    Nov 20, 2011
    9
    A surprise hit for mine.Take control of War,a horseman of the apocalypse and fight your way through varied and detailed levels in search of the answer of who began the End Times early,and framed you for it.An excellent art style and good combat and upgrades have made me look towards the sequel with anticipation.
  40. Emme
    May 1, 2012
    9
    Created by the talented team of Vigil Games and Joe Madueira, Darksiders is a real treat for the senses. The art direction is just superb, the gamedesign well executed, the combat is challenging and satisfying and the main character has just the right amount of "bad ass". The apocalyptic setting is well designed and looks fantastic with its mix of hand painted textures and normal maps, a definite must have.… Expand
  41. X-fushion
    Oct 30, 2012
    9
    What happens when you throw in a Blender The Legend of zelda and God of War, you get Darksiders, is a combination of those 2 amazing series, you explore dungeons to collect items and power ups and also you can beat the crap out the enemies but thid game manages to gain an identity of it´s own. The combat is really good yo can use 3 different weapons with different power ups and also the puzzles in this game are well made you´ll need various items to work them out, not only the main item of the dungeon you´re so it makes the game more inmersive and the storyline is also good, the problem with the game is that the map it´s not very clear in the overworld and most of the boss fight are ridiculously easy, most of the time to defeat them you just need to do certain action 3 times and you win they´re not bad but I expected more.
    Besides that this is an amazing adventure game and is way underrated    … Expand
  42. SCHMOOPITIZE
    May 14, 2012
    9
    AMAZING. I am obsessed with angles and demons. AND THIS GAME DELIVERS. With great in both the characters and the way you swing your sword. MUST HAVE GAME.
  43. SuperFloorMat
    Apr 28, 2013
    9
    Great Combat with flashy combos that achieve, with monstrous enemies that hit hard, and your legendary weapons Darksiders is an amazing game. Proceeding as War throughout the very good story makes you feel like a complete bad ass that will kick anybodies ass to find out what he wants. Just some minor flaws of a lack of enemy variety, some puzzles could be too hard or too easy but fun enough to get through and some bosses kinda feel plain while some are a complete stressful nightmare if you haven't played much hack and slash games before. The Ending Result is that it could of been better than it already is, Legendary.… Expand
  44. MichaelK
    Jan 24, 2010
    8
    The game looks alright (though definitely not top notch), plays alright, but fails to get it's own personality. Darksiders basically takes too much from other games (Zelda, Devil May Cry, God of War & Metroid in particular) and through this fails in originality. If you've played any lof those games, you'll soon get a "been there, done that"-feeling which will stay with you through the entire game. A nice effort though, but bugs (screen-tearing, jagged edges on models) and a lack of creativity hold the game back.… Expand
  45. calebR.
    Jan 26, 2010
    8
    absolutely amazing game. sure it dosnt bring anything new to the table of games. but this is the closest we are ever going to get to a (good) zelda game on 360 (until there is a bgae sequel) and plus the zeldaish gameplay mixed with god of war combat is great i would actually like to see combat like this is a new zelda game. and yeah the combat is a little repetitive and the graphics in gameplay really look like a 360 launch title (other the fmv cutscenes which are beautiful) but honestly i love this game. i would rent it first to see if you would like it but i bought launch day and love this game SO MUCH. the only reasons for not getting a perfect 10 is just the small amount of repetitiveness and the sub par graphics. also the screen tearing on the 360 version is noticeable but not game ruining and still perfectly playable and enjoyable and not at all distracting from the game imo… Expand
  46. TonyA.
    Jan 26, 2010
    8
    This game does indeed steal ideas from many previous titles. Legend of Zelda Orcania of time is the most noticeable, crossed with the Legacy of Kane seriies, Batman Arkham Asylum, and others. The fact that it blends all these ideas brilliantly is pretty amazing, although if you want it to at excell in any one area, it will not. It is an addictive title, with top notch voice acting, great environments, and will last well over 15 hours. It is let down a bit by the terrible screen tearing that the Xbox 360 version suffers from.… Expand
  47. FrozenStar90
    Jun 12, 2011
    8
    It may borrow heftily from other hack n' slash games, but that doesn't mean I didn't have a hell of a time with Darksiders. Combat is frequently fun and frantic, the monster designs are original, and the puzzles are nothing short of brilliant. Overall, a fun way to spend the weekend.
  48. JudgeMental
    Aug 13, 2010
    8
    Solid 7.75 game with an interesting story, decent puzzle/platform elements, and fun game play. What brings it down? For one thing the game I played right after this was Bayonetta, and that highlighted the differences between an 8 and a 10 quite effectively. Buy it used, its worth $35.
  49. PitKiSS
    Oct 13, 2010
    8
    I began playing with pretty bad motivation. I prejudiced this is going to be total crap. After going Darksiders through, gotta admit I was wrong. Especially liked the last quarter of the game. Combat itself is quite simple, but overall it worked least for me. Some puzzles made me pull my hair off, they had quite logical solutions, but couldn't get some of them. Some have referred this to Zelda. Well I'm not big fan of 'em. But Overall this was a positive surprise. Sequel seems to be coming, probably going to least try that too. Have seen better ones, but worse too.… Expand
  50. nexusmind
    Mar 7, 2011
    8
    I picked it up through Games On Demand to have something to play casually before Dragon Age II, and was really surprised. I have to admit, I expected something God of War-esque, but instead found myself with something more akin to a dark Zelda. The combat is a bit simple, but makes up for it with the sheer number of implements with which you can inflict pain on your foes and scale the environment. The world is very refreshing as well. Many of the other mythologies have been done to death, and getting to romp around inside one of the more lavish and "colorful" Christian mythological tales is a blast. The art direction is top notch as well. Every area is a feast for the eyes, aside from a few dull dungeon crawls. You also get your money's worth. I missed a few nooks and crannies but still clocked in at a respectable 17 hours. Also worth noting is the great voice acting, memorable characters, and excellent sequel-hinting ending.

    There are a few negatives, however. The game drags on a bit at the end, sending you through the same environments a couple more times on artifact-hunts, but it does give players a chance to find a few more hidden secrets with their new tools. Also, I found the puzzles and combat quite easy, with rare and annoying spikes in difficulty at 2 or 3 points in the game. The camera is also a bit picky. It usually stays at just the right angle, and the cinematic lock-on camera is fantastic, but you'll still find yourself missing the occasional jump or ledge when the camera randomly pivots behind a rock or into a wall. Also, don't even bother with the block and counter-attack moves.

    All-in-all, it's a very unique game that's worth a purchase or extended-rental. Check it out!    … Expand
  51. icadaT
    Apr 19, 2011
    8
    This is the best Zelda game I have played in years, as it takes the gameplay that made titles such as Ocarina of Time so great and throws it into a new environment of a violent, war-torn apocalypse of present. The mechanics feel familiar but also refined, due to the more grim atmosphere and vocal characters. A great spin on one of gamings favourite franchises.
  52. LordOFlibertY
    Jul 4, 2012
    8
    An exceptional game but no one without faults. First of all, Darksiders has a pretty decent story and pretty GOOD characters for all you RPers however the set design is really its biggest down fault. There is so many flaws and a lot of unnecessary obstacles and puzzles that forces you play on its own pace. However like the said the characters are good, the story is good and the combat is good. Looking foward for Darksiders 2… Expand
  53. ASHIRAH
    Mar 27, 2012
    8
    Sure is one of the best games of the era. Deep, graphically satisfying, with a length that would put to shame most of the big players. A really good game that deserves its rating. Well, come to think of it it deserves even a bit more. Compared to Mass Effect's (3) more than 90%, it's strange that Darksiders gets ony a 7.7
  54. jim109109
    Dec 9, 2012
    8
    A great game. Perhaps between God of War and Zelda it failed to catch the public's attention, but behind familiar genres lies a completely unique experience. As much as the combat is repetitive, it is fun from start to end, similar to God of War. The game is, for this day and age, quite long, standing at 18 hours. The dungeons are varied. Where the game shines the most is the artistic style and direction. It is filled with captivating cutscenes and unique dungeons which although large, never feel old. As you complete the story you will feel immensely satisfied by the great writing. So, although darksiders doesn't break any new barriers, it is a strong experience I suggest to every player.… Expand
  55. WyattTheAwesome
    May 29, 2013
    8
    Darksiders was a wonderful hybrid of games I love. It combined elements from God of War, Legend of Zelda, and had a unique element of its own. A lot of people call this game a God of War clone and whatnot, but just because it's like God of War doesn't mean it's bad. I think if it's being compared to God of War then that is a good thing. My complaint is the uselessness of key items you get for dungeons. There's the horn, crossblade, gun, mask of shadows, portal gun and abyssal chain, but none of them are particularly helpful outside of dungeon solving. This was disappointing because I had great ideas on how to perform kills with each item, but it's a minor flaw I found with the game. The storyline is okay, but I just enjoyed seeing them utilize the Horsemen in a really cool way. Definitely worth checking out.… Expand
  56. JoshuaL
    Jan 17, 2010
    7
    I'm having a difficult time seeing this game as anything but mediocre. I played it for three hours straight and found nothing but weak versions of Zelda's dungeons, and repetitive combat that didn't provide any true measure of satisfaction. Everyone already knows where they got there designs from, I don't see why this game is getting such good scores. Oh and before I forget, I don't like screen tears in my games. I'm not trying to say the game is bad or not worth playing ever, but this is definitely no blockbuster title. It just lacks originality and fun to the level I expect for sixty dollars… Expand
  57. Tenkar
    Sep 15, 2010
    7
    Un buen juego, simplemente entretenido y a veces divertido. No es original en nada. No innova en nada. Un extraño hibrido entre Zelda y God of war, sin llegar a ser tan bueno como ninguno de los dos. Si te apetece jugar una aventura, este es un buen titulo.
  58. Wheezy247
    Mar 27, 2011
    7
    I only picked up this game due to a recommendation of my friend. It seemed interesting enough, and I could tell it was trying to be like God of War or Zelda. But the key word in that statement is trying. It isn't necessarily a bad game, it just isn't as good as what it tries to be. The story is cool enough. Horserider of the Apocalypse has to fight off enemies. The character designs are awesome, but the graphics were a bit too cartoony for a game like this. That doesn't mean the graphics were bad... just not great. The combat is a bit too mindless, but I will admit that the enjoyment of combat was better the farther I played. The puzzles are Zelda like and fun, but I have seen better puzzle designs. Ultimately the reason the game didn't score higher, was the game got repetitive after a while to me and just lost its enjoyment. The game is relatively long and is enjoyable, but it just wasn't as fun as I had hoped it to be.… Expand
  59. DinglerD
    Jan 20, 2010
    6
    I completely agree with Joshua L. Especially the fighting is extremely tedious and one-sided. The combo-system is ridiculously simple, and buying sword upgrades really doesn't improve on that, at least not as much as it should have. Quests plays like your run-of-the-mill grindfest adding nothing exciting to the overall gameplay of this very mediocre title. Played the 360-version. Some of the worst screen tearing I've ever seen...ever. Totally ruined the experience.… Expand
  60. huffnat890
    Oct 19, 2012
    6
    Darksiders follows the path of one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. War, who has been falsely accused of tipping the balance of heaven and hell, must clear his name and kill those responsible for this misunderstanding of epic proportions. If that doesn't interest you then the rest of the story probably won't either. Personally, I thought the story was actually pretty interesting and had some pretty interesting. It may not have been the most original story, but it was captivating mainly because of solid voice acting and some interesting dialogue. Unfortunately, that's the only saving grace of this game and it is lucky that it doesn't get buried under the mediocrity that floods the rest of the game. This game borrows aspects from more successful games such as Devil May Cry, The Legend of Zelda, and God of War. The only problem is that everything Darksiders borrows from those games it does much, much worse. Take the incredibly sluggish combat. You start out with one weapon and gradually build up your arsenal, but none of the weapons seem very distinct and are very predictable. You can rack up combos while killing enemies, but there is no incentive for doing so. You can unlock more powers using the game's currency, but really they all boil down to the same thing and they take absolutely no skill to pull off. You also have access to special abilities that War can use that consume wrath. Every time I got one of these I found myself just saying "meh" and going back to regular combat. Then there are the incredibly uninspired dungeons. They are so long and incredibly boring that I found myself begging for the boss so I could just get on with the game. Then when I did reach the boss I found myself sighing, because they were the biggest pushovers and the methods to defeat them were so blatantly obvious that I had to laugh. Unfortunately, this game doesn't live up to the games it borrows from and struggles to rise above the mediocre mess that it ultimately becomes.… Expand
  61. SpunkyMonkey
    May 14, 2012
    6
    Never have I fell in and out of love with a game so quickly! Screen tearing and sub-par graphics aside, the first few hours of Darksiders were absolutely bliss for me - really, really cool and instinctive combat action followed by some truly brilliant puzzles (one set in a Temple of Doom type room is probably the best in-game puzzle I've known - a perfect balance of test and reward). But then it totally loses it's way - instead of giving you time to settle and enjoy your role as War, it keeps endlessly throwing new things at you and breaking the pace up with alternate sections such as a flying on a griffin - there really is no need for it and it just disjoints the game horribly. Then the puzzles start becoming a bit more obscure and laborious too, the combat just becomes more confusing and repetitive the further you get into the game, and the upgrades you purchase hardly feel worth the effort either. Mark Hamill does a great job with the voices though, as do most of the cast - something worthy of a mention as their undoubted class adds to the game. Sadly, that can't save something which just doesn't cut the mustard as a whole. Give it a try - it might be something you can get on with and is definitely worth a look, but it just grew too old too quickly for me.… Expand
  62. Generalizor
    Nov 26, 2011
    6
    While not being a big fan of the hack-n-slah genre I actually like this game. I still didn't find it as entertaining as a FPS, RPG, TBS or RTS. But there were something that appealed to me. I might even try the sequel.
  63. guillermop
    Aug 23, 2012
    6
    combat is a bit boring repetitive, the controls kinda suck which make for **** platforming of which there is too much. i got this game because i was starting to get swept up in Darksiders 2 hype, but the game isn't making me go get it, i'll wait for it to be $20 next summer.

    feels like a trudge, reminds me of L.A. Noire, in that the reach extends beyond its grasp. Not a bad game, but it    s high notes don't make up for the low notes. Really just want to beat it and not think about it anymore… Expand
  64. mose14
    Feb 19, 2013
    6
    Darksiders borrows some things from other games, but does that make Darksiders better than those games? The graphics have that cell-shaded look, which feeds into the comic book story well. I did experience some slow down when the action got heavy. The story is good, not really original, but in new and cool universe. The story starts off exciting, but then disappears for a while during the middle hours of the game. The end brings the story back with full force, as the best moments happen in the final hours. The gameplay elements are borrowed from the God of War and Legend of Zelda franchises. The combat is similar to God of War, but nowhere near as fast and fluent. The puzzles and exploration is taken right out of The Legend of Zelda. You explore dungeons and find new weapons to further your adventure. In the end Darksiders is not as good as the games it borrows from, but Darksiders is not bad.… Expand
  65. spadenx
    Nov 29, 2011
    4
    The combat is boring, repetitive, and lacks originality. The character models look good but the environments look poor at times. Uneven difficulty as well. I just didnt like this game.
  66. SethW
    Oct 16, 2010
    3
    This game was far from good. The constant button mashing hurt my hands, the graphics were sub-par, the gameplay was bad, and the story was even worse
  67. imthenoob
    Dec 7, 2012
    3
    Graphics are solid but I didn't care how some of the environments looked. It really comes across as a poor Ocarina Of Time rip off. Incredibly bloody gameplay is bound to attract fans but that's the only thing good about it imo. Cluttered hud is annoying and it's incredibly frustrating having to keep pausing and switch weapons out for different ones. Collectables are only worth collecting when playing the game on the hardest difficulty. No replay value. Incredibly weak story. Filled with bugs and glitches, A few of them are game breaking. Uneven difficulty makes things incredibly hard even on the lowest difficulty. I really do not see the appeal in this game.… Expand
  68. MarkG
    Jan 12, 2010
    2
    Jaggie-fest with horrendous screen tearing on the Xbox version. If you have a PS3 (you should have by now), get it on that, it's 5x better, really.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 81 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 81
  3. Negative: 0 out of 81
  1. XGN
    86
    Darksiders brings you everything you expect. A beautiful post apocalyptic world combined with excellent audio and a real cool gameplay, deserves nothing less than a high score.
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  2. Gamer.nl
    80
    Darksiders looks like the result of a head-on collision between the Zelda and God of War-franchise. But instead of a big mess, both fuse together to form a hybrid with the best elements of both, combined with a great story. The game won’t win any awards for originality, but thanks to its long playtime, strong puzzles and great alteration between elements and scenery we can only conclude that Darksiders is already one of the first great games of 2010.
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  3. 1UP
    75
    At its best, Darksiders plays like an interactive compilation of this console generation's most interesting game mechanics. At its worst, it's like sitting through a mediocre cover band as they fumble their way through your favorite tunes.
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