The Darkness

 Xbox 360
The Darkness Image
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 63 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 224 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: 55 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 63
  3. Negative: 1 out of 63
  1. Game Almighty
    92
    A game that’s built on a foundation of great gameplay with an intense and unique story. The look and sound of the game are awesome as well.
  2. Deeko
    90
    While the visuals in the game may at times look a bit dated, it's the entire experience that takes this title and brings the game above and beyond its smaller parts.
  3. Gamers' Temple
    90
    Embrace The Darkness.
  4. TeamXbox
    84
    The development team may have been a little too ambitious, as the game tries some new things, succeeding in some areas and falling just short in others. The presentation and visuals are absolutely top-notch, but the gameplay ultimately becomes a bit too repetitive and the multiplayer feels tacked-on.
  5. Cheat Code Central
    82
    The Darkness is truly a brilliant ray of light during this otherwise abysmal summer gaming drought.
  6. VideoGamer
    80
    Even with its faults, it's impossible to dislike The Darkness. It's such a stunningly put together game that succeeds far more often than it fails, with storytelling and direction that puts many other games to shame.
  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 63 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 66
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 66
  3. Negative: 9 out of 66
  1. GabrielM.
    Jun 29, 2007
    10
    The best game this summer, as a matter of fact, this year. The Darkness is an incredible achievement in interactive storytelling, one of the The best game this summer, as a matter of fact, this year. The Darkness is an incredible achievement in interactive storytelling, one of the most emotianally moving games I've played IN THE DECADE superb Grraphics, intense firefights fantastic powers ( i could spend 15 minutes just throwing a dead corpse around a New York street using demon arm) AI is meh at some points, but most of the time they'll take cover and use teamwork. darklings are hilarous and all characters are brimming with personality. if this game LOOKS good to you, PLAYING it will be a blast. ( if you can stomach the blood-spewing, violence-ridden, HEART-DEVOURING) Fantastic game deserves "Universal Acclaim"… Expand
  2. DarkJEM
    Dec 13, 2013
    10
    Although short in terms of the games I usually play (Oblivion, Morrowind, Skyrim and the like), the Darkness proves that not all games have toAlthough short in terms of the games I usually play (Oblivion, Morrowind, Skyrim and the like), the Darkness proves that not all games have to be monumentally long to be superb. You really get a feel for the characters both dark and light. The game was a pleasure from start to finish.… Expand
  4. RonC.
    Jul 3, 2007
    9
    This game had an excellent single player experience. It was a little short, I bet it in three days. It had great voice acting, great This game had an excellent single player experience. It was a little short, I bet it in three days. It had great voice acting, great charecters, great story, great gameplay ( you fell like a total bad ass by the end), and good graphics. That two out of two from Starbreeze. But, the multiplayer was horrible. Not, much thought was put into it. So, since the game is short also, this is a great rental.… Expand
  5. coopert
    Jan 18, 2014
    9
    This game was bought for me and from the cover art I was led to believe this was a B-movie level production but I gave it a chance and foundThis game was bought for me and from the cover art I was led to believe this was a B-movie level production but I gave it a chance and found one of the most compelling experiences the 360 has to offer. It has everything, fantastic art style (that even makes New York not boring for one of the only times this gen), solid gameplay, gripping story line and a great comic book presentation. The story runs on the edge of gritty gang crime in New York and adds dark fantasy to the mix but the Darkness is based on a comic book, having not read any of the comics I can not tell you how well it captivates the general ideas, moods and characters. Overall a great videogame and well worth a play, not much replay value but a good chunky single player campaign that can be picked up for very cheap now.… Expand
  6. JackE.
    Jun 26, 2007
    8
    This game is innovative, entertaining and just plain fun for those who can stomach it. Darkness/darkling powers are practical and engaging, This game is innovative, entertaining and just plain fun for those who can stomach it. Darkness/darkling powers are practical and engaging, especially creeping darkness, though not without minor control issues and gunplay, which you'll still rely on to a large degree, is fairly standard. But the exceptional production values, attention to detail and interesting story and gameplay elements will keep you coming back to see what happens next.… Expand
  7. MightyQuinn21
    Jul 4, 2013
    8
    Wow this game was way better than I thought it was gonna be especially for buying it used at GameStop for only $6. The best thing about theWow this game was way better than I thought it was gonna be especially for buying it used at GameStop for only $6. The best thing about the game is it story involving the main character Jackie and the being he's fighting against the Darkness. For a game that came out in 2007 the graphics are decent and the gameplay is pretty good as well. Also the fact that you can watch whole tv episodes and old cartoons on the TVs in the game was a really nice touch and have never seen anything like that in a video game. So if you own an Xbox 360 this is a must own game for only $6.… Expand
  8. Samanosuke0
    Feb 22, 2016
    0
    It's hard to someone in 2015 find this game fun. But if we think that Bioshock, which is a GREAT GAME even TODAY, was released in the sameIt's hard to someone in 2015 find this game fun. But if we think that Bioshock, which is a GREAT GAME even TODAY, was released in the same year that The Darkness we can see how terrible this game is. The problem is not the graphics or history but, mainly, the game play. Every thing is so hard, even to take aim, is really, really bad. The movements is much unnaturally, like a lego videogame (Oh sorry, lego video games are more realistic than The Darkness)

    The second game is very cool, but is sadly you might try to play the first before. Do not worth to play.    … Expand

See all 66 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2007
15
#15 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2007
31
#31 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2007