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 126 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: 14 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 32
  3. Negative: 5 out of 32
  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. Alan
    Jul 14, 2007
    9
    If you like fps games(which i don't) you won't like this. It is really more of a 3rd person shooter from the 1st person view if If you like fps games(which i don't) you won't like this. It is really more of a 3rd person shooter from the 1st person view if that makes any sense. instead of running in and shooting everything you have to think a little first about what you are going to do. really an 8 overall, but i give a 9 for the demon that says 'i like penguins'.… Expand
  5. DTucker
    Feb 26, 2008
    7
    a fairly decent effort in making a 'different' FPS. The darkness powers are great fun, making up for the relativley boringa fairly decent effort in making a 'different' FPS. The darkness powers are great fun, making up for the relativley boring peashooters this game displays. Another downfall for this game is ridiculously stupid AI. New York looks dirty and gritty as well it should and holds its own next to any other current gen game. This is not for everybody though as the slow pace and need to travel to differing locals may put some people off, as may the in-you0face language and over the top comic book violence. For me though, it one of the reasons to rate up, not down.… Expand
  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. Vzhik
    Aug 16, 2018
    5
    Да игра стильная, да очень отлично сделана (разные ролики при загрузке и все такое), да, персонажи проработаны отлично и историяДа игра стильная, да очень отлично сделана (разные ролики при загрузке и все такое), да, персонажи проработаны отлично и история нетривиальная. НО! сюжет и геймплей просто невероятно скучен. Я год проходил эту игры с мыслью "ну когда же она кончиться". Некоторая безысходность в связи с особенностями ГГ, но как-то вторым слоем, фоново и могли бы сделать это как-то ярче что-ли..
    Рассуждения ГГ о жизни в заставках это конечно они классно сделали. Как там было? Кажется так:
    "Когда кто-то говорит мне о страхе.. Вы просто никогда не ездили по встречной полосе по туннелю со скорость 80 миль в час на заднем сиденье такси, когда за рулем мой друг Гари"

    В итоге отличное исполнение но назвать её шедевром хорошей как-то язык не поворачивается. Добротная, средняя.    … 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 32 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best PS3 Game of 2007
17
#17 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2007
26
#26 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2007