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Dark Messiah of Might & Magic

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8.7 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 44 critic reviews
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Based on 733 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Ubisoft

Developer: Arkane Studios

Genre(s): Action, First-Person Shooter

Players: 32

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: October 24, 2006

Summary

Dark Messiah of Might & Magic puts players in a first-person perspective, allowing them to immerse themselves in the legendary Might and Magic universe as never before. It is also the world's first fantasy action game to feature a complete first-person combat system. It takes full advantage of the Source Engine's exceptional technological enhancements in areas such as character animation, advanced AI, real-world physics and shader-based rendering. [Ubisoft]

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What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Game Informer

The core first-person melee combat is incredibly solid and the exploration, storytelling, and character growth are integrated brilliantly to create a unique and compelling experience.

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Pelit (Finland)

Truly a great fantasy adventure! Lose or modify the healing spell, then the difficulty level would be right. [Dec 2006, p.82]

PC Format

An outstanding experience. It manages to create a constant sense of threat, includes some stunning set-pieces, and introduces a cast of breathtaking beasts, all within a combat system that is one of the most versatile and violent we have ever seen. [Dec 2006, p.98]

PC Gamer UK

There's really nothing that can match Dark Messiah's combat. The mixture of weaponry and convincingly cause-and-effect physics really does take first-person fighting to new places. [Nov 2006, p.62]

Worth Playing

Not a run-of-the-mill RPG, if it is an RPG at all! It is a graphically glorious, murderously marvelous first-person fantasy action game that no self-respecting FPS fan should overlook.

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Play Magazine

While a bit unbalanced in its current incarnation, the MP Crusade mode is a nice bonus that should improve over time. [Dec. 2006, p.100]

Gamers Europe

Everything about Dark Messiah oozes quality and there are multitudes of ways around every obstacle.

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PC Zone UK

If the game suffers, it's from over-explanation, the occasional lapse in the combat, and the repetitive nature of the environmental weaponry. But I was kept entertained all the way through, and I've never felt so directy responsible for chopping off a goblin's arm. [Dec 2006, p.70]

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GamerNode

Dark Messiah is a prime choice for action lovers, but keep in mind the little letdowns and possible performance issues before you put down the cash to buy it.

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GameTrailers

Toss in a multiplayer mode that’s basically "Unreal Tournament" for fantasy fans.

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Computer Games Online RO

The game will probably be patched in the future, but for now, you will have to prey to the dragons of Ashan each time a multiplayer map is loading and why not, when playing. Thumbs up for Arkane, thumbs down for Kuju!

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games(TM)

Dark Messiah has the uncanny ability to tap into the primeval bloodlust of anyone that devotes more than a few minutes to it. A resounding success. [Dec 2006, p.102]

Games Radar (in-house)

The only real beef we have is that the XP system means it's never long before a few veteran players have pumped up their characters and become virtually untouchable, clubbing everyone else like baby seals. But it's empowering if you're one of the vets, to be sure.

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Eurogamer

You won't remember Dark Messiah's busty-woman character guide, but you will remember the sheer joy of mutilating the orcish, undead and assorted monstrous hordes in a variety of imaginative ways. When mass slaughter is as imaginative as this, it can't help but be memorable.

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PALGN

A superb game, but not without its problems. There are a few unfinished graphical holes, the length of the game is a tad disappointing and the multiplayer isn’t quite attractive – especially with those dreadful load times.

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GameDaily

Think of it as a combination of "Deus Ex" and "Half-Life 2," wrapped within a fantasy feast for the eyes.

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Four Fat Chicks

Arkane's previous offering, Arx Fatalis, shares many general similarities but lacks Dark Messiah's energetic, if somewhat ill-fated, attempts to bring physics, stealth and a variety of combat options into the mix of a game that may not live up to all of its potential but still delivers the goods where they count.

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AtomicGamer

Between the bugs and lack of originality during the single player campaign, Dark Messiah is a great idea for a game that was executed only somewhat well.

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Games Master UK

Not quite an epic but still a grand adventure with character, impact, and kickable heads. [Christmas 2006, p.76]

Gamer 2.0

Action fans will revel in as much recycled intensity as they can squeeze out, and it’s for them that Arkane Studios built Dark Messiah.

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GamingExcellence

The addition of the physics adds some depth to the combat, and the multiplayer gives a reason to play after the story has been played. A flawed game, but a very decent one nonetheless.

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Game Chronicles

Dark Messiah of Might and Magic can either be an incredible fantasy romp, or a grueling, dissatisfying venture depending on what you’re expecting.

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GameCritics

While it doesn't pull off everything perfectly, it injects enough originality into a familiar framework to make it one of the more enjoyable releases since the release of its more auspicious Source engine cousin.

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VideoGamer

There's no denying that Dark Messiah has a certain bloody charm, with battles against numerous enemies being both challenging and rather gory. By the end though, things do become a little repetitive, and this prevents the game from being anything truly special.

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IGN

Though the first-person combat isn't as precise as it could be, this one's still a good choice for some online magic blasting fun. Just don't expect a memorable story or characters if you're more interested in the single player content.

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Yahoo! Games

Dark Messiah gets points for being unique among shooters, but it loses points for not being unique enough. It's the same old dungeons, the same generic monsters, and some uninspired gameplay that doesn't make for a very memorable game.

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Edge Magazine

Sareth’s adventure does tire, however, during later moments when the game leaves you with neither an objective nor waypoint, but instead an arduous hunt for the next NPC trigger or gateway. [Christmas 2006, p.84]

GameZone

Dark Messiah feels like a missed opportunity, with some huge ideas but a definite lack of polish.

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Sydney Morning Herald

Far from perfect but Dark Messiah has entertaining fantasy action. Dispatching foes in imaginative ways is the highlight.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

Like an angry Orc, Dark Messiah of Might & Magic feels unbalanced, with all of the focus going into the melee action and everything else feeling a little forlorn and unloved.

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ActionTrip

It's painfully obvious that the Half-Life 2 engine caused many problems, which weren't ironed out in time by the programming team. Consequently, players with modest rigs won't be able to experience the game in its true visual potential.

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GameSpot

Dark Messiah wraps a dull story around repetitive combat. It's not a bad game, but its technical glitches really bring it down.

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Gamer's Hell

A let down; not a terrible game, but disappointingly short of its potential.

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WHAM! Gaming

Easy to get and get into, with a slick engine (and only a few nitpicky problems) but clearly lacking a really creative story team.

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Gamers' Temple

With more action and more engaging levels and storyline, Dark Messiah may have been a great game. As it stands though, it feels like a demo in search of a full game or a game brought to market a year before its time.

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GamePro

A broken game - which is a shame, because with a bit more effort it could have been something rather intriguing. It takes some significant gameplay risks and attempts innovation in both its single player and multiplayer modes.

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Game Over Online

Short of rewriting the entire story and redrawing the whole dungeon, the single player isn’t going to get any better. I do genuinely hope that this combat system appears in some future, hopefully better, game.

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Boomtown

When I previewed the game in September it oozed potential greatness, but somewhere along the line Arkane and Ubisoft have lost their way and we're left with what I can only deem as half a game.

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Computer Games Magazine

It's so schizophrenic that it almost feels as if two developers of wildly different skill levels worked on the game at the same time, and everything was sort of thrown together at the last second. [Feb. 2007, p.72]

GameSpy

It's hard to deny that the game has some immensely enjoyable moments. It's just too bad that they're too often surrounded by so much clutter.

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AceGamez

I am very disappointed with Dark Messiah Might and Magic, yet I will leave it installed on my system for some time. It is a deeply flawed game and one of the worst launches in recent history - certainly the worst Steam launch to date. Yet it is a blast; the visual effects and combat system and, yes, kicking Orcs off ledges and ghouls into spikes are all a lot of fun, if not particularly satisfying beyond the short term.

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Just Adventure

The game has bugs, so drag out the bug spray.

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PC Gamer

But it's the game's many bugs and glitches, not mere repetition, which sap Dark Messiah's might and magic. [Feb. 2007, p.77]

1UP

It's quickly clear that Dark Messiah is a "Half-Life 2"-style rail ride, but with "Deus Ex"-style character development.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 733 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jaap L gave it a10:
One of the best singleplayer games I played, despite the game being released to early. The close combat system is, once you get the hang of it, simply amazing. I still play it, which I can't say about most games that are as old as this one.

Daniel P gave it a10:
Goodest game i everplayed kick people and headshot them with bows .the best part before you meet the power wizard the map before you sail to skull island. theres was a wall with a hole in i shoted on guard and the other guard where just staring in to the wall

dbone dbone gave it a10:
One of the best games i have ever played, i dont understand why some people rate it so low. I just hope they make a nr 2.

John S gave it a10:
Great SIngleplayer, very solid and balanced Multiplayer. Amazing game!

El_Berto the Mexican gave it a10:
Excelent game! Great firstperson hack & slash now that the bugs have been taken out. But Hexen 3 as title is more fitting ;)

Neil G gave it a9:
This must be one of the most underrated games ever. I loved it and hope against hope that there will be a sequel. Yes it's buggy and has a slightly not-quite-finished feel to it, but get the patch and enjoy the fast, fluid combat action. There are so many possible ways to bump off your enemies in this game that I just keep coming back to it. Ok, it's a little contrived in places - a spiky railing to kick your foe onto, or a precariously positioned set of barrels to crush him under is never far away. But what the hell? Suspend your disbelief and you'll get hours of funny from the sheer range of ways to kill people. The different plotline decisions keep things interesting too. I bought this game for 97p in a post-Christmas sale. And it was the best 97p I ever spent.

Michal S gave it a10:
For me this game is really good, it has many bugs but they're really funny. Ubisoft should make some patches to it.

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Dark Messiah of Might & Magic

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What The Critics Said

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