The Darkness

 PlayStation 3
The Darkness Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 142 Ratings

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  • Summary: The Darkness features a distinct blend of dark modern crime drama and supernatural horror with intense first person non-linear gameplay. The game is a dynamic first person shooter that allows players to call upon the forces of the evil underworld as they fight in gritty, urban environments.The Darkness features a distinct blend of dark modern crime drama and supernatural horror with intense first person non-linear gameplay. The game is a dynamic first person shooter that allows players to call upon the forces of the evil underworld as they fight in gritty, urban environments. Armed with an arsenal of guns, gamers battle an array of demonic creatures and supernatural powers. In the game, players assume the role of mafia hitman Jackie Estacado. On the night of his 21st birthday, Jackie is possessed by "The Darkness," an ancient demonic entity that gives Jackie spectacular powers. The story, written by Eisner Award winner Paul Jenkins, follows Jackie and his fight with the fictional Francetti mafia. As the story unfolds, the player will learn to utilize traditional weapons and the extraordinary powers of The Darkness. [2K Games]… Expand
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Microsoft E3 2005 Xbox 360 Demo Showcase

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 35
  3. Negative: 1 out of 35
  1. Game Chronicles
    92
    I was completely sucked in. I couldn’t stop playing. By the end I wanted more. I wanted to be Jackie Estacado. I wanted to find out what happens next.
  2. PSM Magazine
    90
    The Darkness is brutal in its violence, language, and dark tone. [Aug 2007, p.70]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Game Informer
    88
    Interactive storytelling is rarely this good, and there are few game endings that make you sit back and think, “Man, what if I did this instead?” like this one does. For its amazing narrative and believability of characters, and the twisted joys that come from being a slave of a demon, The Darkness will keep you enthralled, even when the gameplay lags a little behind.
  4. Game Over Online
    82
    Its story is one of the most interesting and engaging stories (albeit dark) that I've ever seen in a video game.
  5. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    80
    Keeping the "set" locations small allows for some impressive and immersive detail--throw in quality script and voice acting, and the whole experience is compelling enough (and very well paced) to transcend its brief playtime. [Aug 2007, p.74]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Worth Playing
    77
    There is a good game in here, but it's too bad that the AI and gameplay mechanics weren't as impressive as the deep story line.
  7. G4 TV
    40
    I was looking forward to it, but left very disappointed. It’s completely playable. Being about 7 hours long helps but I spent the entire game waiting for it to get good, to make sense, to make a case for all the incongruous elements of design, gameplay and story, and then it ended.

See all 35 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 37
  3. Negative: 6 out of 37
  1. DavisP.
    Jun 27, 2007
    10
    Amazing game! The best game to come out this year so far. The storyline is engaging, the atmosphere is wounderful, the voiceacting flawless Amazing game! The best game to come out this year so far. The storyline is engaging, the atmosphere is wounderful, the voiceacting flawless and the graphics stunning. Starbreeze has done it again, The Darkness is a masterpice, so get ready to embrace the darkness!… Expand
  2. JeffA.
    Jun 26, 2007
    10
    From the opening sequence to the action to the gripping storyline, The Darkness is a heart pounding thrillride that grabs you from beginning From the opening sequence to the action to the gripping storyline, The Darkness is a heart pounding thrillride that grabs you from beginning to end. Embrace the darkness with it's twisted humor, lifelike characters, gore, adventure and truly next gen graphics. A smash hit that could easily be a blockbuster movie.… Expand
  4. fouSieva
    Sep 6, 2010
    9
    Great Game with one of my favorite moments in Videogame History.
    Gameplay and Graphics arent perfect but pendling between good/average and    Great Game with one of my favorite moments in Videogame History.
    Gameplay and Graphics arent perfect but pendling between good/average and awesome!
    But the Story, is the reason for this game, to make it a must have (and the grad mike patton syncrho).    … Expand
  5. GameDoc
    Jul 11, 2007
    7
    Online play is bad. Too many cut scenes take away from the game play. However, it is an enjoyable game with flaws.
  6. Inryoku
    Jan 8, 2014
    6
    I have no idea what to think about this game; the story and the characters are the only things that will make you go on. Both are pretty niceI have no idea what to think about this game; the story and the characters are the only things that will make you go on. Both are pretty nice and immersing, you`re going to find yourself keep going on only to find out how everything will play out. And that would be all the pros I can think of: the gameplay is slow as hell, the level design is confusing and stretched at times and the usage of the Darkness is very limited and disappointing. The graphics aged terribly and are on par with Killzone 1 at best. Even though I enjoyed the experience overall I wouldn't recommend this game to anyone who can't appreciate a good story and is unable to ignore the terrible gameplay.… Expand
  7. LewisDanny
    Jul 2, 2018
    6
    A game with a lot of potential, and that pulls off world-building properly. However, this doesn't make up for the clunky, punishing combatA game with a lot of potential, and that pulls off world-building properly. However, this doesn't make up for the clunky, punishing combat (Jackie isn't exactly a bullet-sponge, and sitting through a lengthy respawn animation - for the xth amount of time - is frustrating when you've only taken a couple of bullets). The voice acting is solid, but so much of the game is backtracking and it is far too easy to get lost in the streets. The AI is fairly daft.… Expand
  8. RayW.
    Jul 22, 2007
    0
    Once you have seen the opening sequence you may as well trade the game if you bought it or return it if you rented it. There is nothing Once you have seen the opening sequence you may as well trade the game if you bought it or return it if you rented it. There is nothing compelling beyond this point. The game is plain boring and Jackie shoots the way he walks, slowly and awkwardly. The Darkness tries to do too much and does nothing right. Bargain bin at best.… Expand

See all 37 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best PS3 Game of 2007
14
#14 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2007
26
#26 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2007