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How Metascores Are Calculated
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The game introduces the Darkwatch, a secret strike-force that has vigilantly protected man from evil incarnate since the dawn of civilization. Their newest and deadliest agent is Jericho Cross, an outlaw gunslinger pulled into their ranks by an unfortunate close encounter with a vampire lord. To save the West, and his own soul from damnation, Jericho must hunt the vampire that bit him through an American frontier suddenly overrun by his undead minions. At his disposal is the advanced, deadly technology of the Darkwatch, including an arsenal of powerful assault vehicles and enhanced versions of Western weapons, along with supernatural vampire abilities and a trusty undead horse. Players will experience an action-packed "living West" in "Darkwatch: Curse of the West" with massive environments, non-linear missions, dynamic enemy and non-player-character artificial intelligence (A.I.) affected by a player reputation system, and precision gunplay with location-specific damage. [Sammy Studios]
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... 90
Play Magazine
Quotation forthcoming. [Aug 2005]
90
GameSpy
A truly remarkable experience. And, while the game itself may not have broken any new ground, the world it introduces more than makes up for that. It will leave gamers hungry for more.
 90
Cheat Code Central
Instantly compelling.
89
Kombo
Solid game with very few shortcomings. Fans of either westerns, vampires, or both will enjoy this game immensely.
85
Stuff
The game's nutty narrative would baffle Roger Corman, but the six-shootin' gameplay would make even Yosemite Sam giddy.
85
eToychest
An excellent title and is one that everybody should try out – provided they have access to the Xbox version. It’s a wonderful and unique experience that really shows a lot of polish.
85
Game Informer
In terms of gameplay quality, this may be another middle-of-the-road shooter, but the unique premise sets it aside from everything else out there. [Sept 2005, p.94]
84
VGPub
The type of game that is absolutely perfect for the weekend. Its fast-paced action will keep you hooked from the campaign’s beginning to end.
84
Next Level Gaming
I really liked the theme of the game, and the controls are almost perfect. The game does so many things right, but it does lack a deep story.
84
TotalGames.net
An immensely enjoyable shooter with adrenaline-soaked action, a Todd McFarlane attitude and a Marilyn Manson edge. Welcome to the dark side.
83
Team Xbox
Darkwatch may have a few things that keep it from breaking new ground, but it does have key ingredients such as aggressive AI, tight controls and an interesting storyline that go hand in hand with the deep multiplayer experience that should lead to the game’s appeal with its audience.
82
GameZone
While it might not change the way we look at first-person shooters, Darkwatch is a competent shooter that wonderfully blends action-packed gunslinging with Capcom’s brand of nightmarish chills. It’s also one of the most enjoyable shooters set in the Old West you’ll find on the Xbox thus far.
82
Talk Xbox
The solid gameplay combined with the bloodcurdling theme makes for a wonderful gaming experience.
80
BonusStage
The use of the Havok physics engine, however, is almost as much fun to play with as Psi-Ops. I really do enjoy blowing a shotgun hole right through a bandito’s shoulder.
80
Inside Gamer Online
While its multiplayer might leave something to be desired, its single player hits its mark.
80
Extreme Gamer
Every classic shooter fan will dig the unique Gothic Western theme Darkwatch provides. Darkwatch is cool fresh idea that has the goods to deliverer.
80
DarkStation
Being billed as a vampire/western is sure to raise more than a few eyebrows, as this shooter thrills with more than just an original premise.
80
Computer and Video Games
It may come across as rough and ready, but what Darkwatch tries to do - providing plenty of gory laughs and thrills - it does well. The best zombie/cowboy action game out there! [Official UK Xbox Magazine]
80
MS Xbox World
No nonsense, to the point, no “brainer” gaming that not only looks good but works well.
80
Yahoo! Games
Stylish, solid, and unique... and on the upper difficulty levels, it's hard as hell. It gives a gothic boost to the first-person shooter genre, and a definite shot in the arm to the criminally underrepresented western video game.
80
Maxim Online
Fighting an army of the undead with a six-shooter is rather challenging, but the game has smooth controls and sharp-edged firearms that allow you to get your gunsu on.
80
GamePro
Darkwatch mixes its Western Roots with gothic horror and steampunk aesthetics, and the results are uniquely engaging...Just darned good fun while it lasts. [Sept 2005, p.64]
79
IGN
A solid first-person shooter that does the genre justice, but it's less than strong presentation elements and disappointing single-player adventure keeps it from living up to its true potential.
79
GameSpot
If you're looking for an intense shooter experience, Darkwatch will not disappoint, offering crisp gameplay, an excellent presentation, and a varied campaign.
77
Gaming Target
Many of the gameplay quirks are just twists on tried-and-true conventions, but the single-player experience provides some decent gunplay, and there is some multiplayer action to keep the guns blazing a little bit longer.
75
Deeko
The engine is solid, the graphics are great, the AI is smart, but there are too many things about it that work against it and oftentimes these problems are simply based on the fact that it is too similar to other games in the genre.
75
GameShark
Although singleplayer is over quick, online play is a lot of fun and unlike other vampire games, Darkwatch sure doesn’t suck!
75
Detroit Free Press
From a technical perspective, Darkwatch is a crisp, clean joy to play. Targeting and firing your weapons and using your abilities is easy and intuitive, and the controls feel so precise you'll forget at times you aren't playing on a PC.
75
Gaming Age
It's a fun, fast-paced game with enough eye candy to entertain the undead-killing gunslinger that lives deep inside all of us.
73
netjak
With the laughably bad art and writing in the cutscenes, and gameplay clocking in at less than a day's worth of casual play, I would MAYBE recommend this at a half-price purchase. This is a definite rental. You definitely should play this, but you definitely shouldn't pay for it.
72
Official Xbox Magazine
Throw in the aforementioned boobies - crammed into some hot leather corsets, mind you - and Darkwatch is all this bloodthirsty pardner really needs. [Oct 2005, p.104]
70
AceGamez
The ever changing campaign, which goes from gunplay to horseback and even skeleton crushing buggies, does a good job of offering new experiences to keep the gameplay fresh, which definitely makes Darkwatch one to spend some time with during the next gaming drought.
70
GamerFeed
The death matching is fantastic, but that aside Darkwatch is like a quality restaurant appetizer, tasty as all hell but not enough to sustain my burning hunger.
70
Total Video Games
Forgetting the somewhat forgettable Multiplayer experience in Darkwatch, the core Story mode is full of intense gun battles that will satisfy an FPS fan's lust for action.
67
Game Revolution
Deathmatch and Capture the Flag are online stalwarts, but the unpopular Soulhunter game - which has you collecting soul marbles around the map - is the only new addition. It all feels a bit bland.
62
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Playing good or evil has little effect on the loopy story; although the game kept me entertained, I didn't feel the need to replay for the alternate ending.
60
1UP
The FPS isn't the smartest of genres to be sure, but there are more creative ways of designing enemy encounters that make the player think "now how am I going to beat these guys?" rather than "how many of these guys do I have to beat now?"
60
G4 TV
The biggest draw in DarkWatch is the setting. It’s just different enough to remain interesting the whole way through.
60
games(TM)
The real joy of Darkwatch, however, is its simplicity. It's a pure, no-nonsense shooter, entirely focused on allowing the player to dispose of innumerable undead in ever more amusing ways. [Dec 2005, p.115]
50
Computer Games Magazine
Quotation forthcoming. [Nov 2005]
50
Edge Magazine
Nearly all enemy behaviour consists of direct charges, calling on the butt of your gun as frequently as its barrel. While it’s undeniably intense, it soon becomes apparent that this intensity is the only string on the designers’ banjo, plucked with increasingly feverish rapidity instead of ever-changing chords. [Nov 2005, p.105]
50
XboxAddict
It sort of waffles around with a weak story, and that, coupled with generic gameplay and some sloppy execution on the fine points, makes it hard to press on at some points in the game.
35
GameCritics
This could have been a great original title, but instead it's a waste of shelf space with just one redeeming feature: it only takes around five hours to beat.
Dave W. gave it an8: Michael B. gave it a7: Alex gave it an8: Steve B. gave it an8: Kevo gave it a9: Eddie G. gave it a9: FPSMaster gave it a7: |
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