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Very, very dark

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: September 05, 2008
Author: Amazon User

First off, this is a game for adults only.
And I mean that in no uncertain terms. (This is a game that visits the worst human tragedy in known history - World War I)
Violence, language and general depravity considered, even an adult might want to rethink her/his steps when purchasing this item.
This game is so intense, it literally made me feel weird and bad during the later stages. I was truly angry at the end of the game and actually cried during the final sequence.

If you can shrug off these warnings, you are in for arguably the most intense video game experience on the 360 so far.

Even in its earlier releases, Starbreeze prided itself in challenging the player to think outside the bounds of what was possible within a game, and The Darkness continues that legacy. In a mixed 1st and 3d person perspective, the player inhabits young hitman Jackie's persona as he unravels the mystery of his (unexpectedly granted) powers. The plot thickens as Jackie's battle with his own (Mike Patton voiced) demons escalates as does his confrontation with a previously patriarchal uncle turned nemesis. For a superb shooting mechanic, sick & constant sense of humor, and moments of shock that truly shock, you can't do better than the Darkness.

On the minus side, there are long wait times between Entrance/Exit points and glitchy controls with regards to the (Primarily most useful tool of) Creeping Dark. Achievement Hounds should also be warned: some of the achievements in this game are ambivalent, to say the least. I'm a fan, and have yet to unlock many of them.

Such qualms aside, this is the game people who loved "Riddick" should be ready to expect.
Insane attention to detail, glorious visuals, and a nasty sense of reality.
The most profound and simultaneously profane experience the 360 can offer.
You have been warned.

Pretty, a good story, but incredibly linear for the genre

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 01, 2008
Author: Amazon User

The Xbox 360 has brought in a new era of roleplaying/shooter crossovers, which offer the deeper story and flexible character development of RPGs with more first or third person action to spice up the combats. Most of these games offer a "casual" or "easy" difficulty setting so RPG players can enjoy them too.

The best of these products, like Mass Effect really deliver on this promise. The stories are engaging and compelling; the player has real choice in how to develop the character(s), and the combat gains the adrenaline rush of a shooter without necessarily requiring the reflexes of a long-time shooter player or a teenager on Jolt to play.

Sadly, The Darkness may look like one of these games but it is not. The gameplay is entirely linear, without even a nod to real choices. On a typical map you face a sequence of combats and single-solution puzzles and don't even have much choice in the order you encounter them; on some of the maps attempting to deviate from the preplanned course will just get you "killed" in punishment, forcing you to restart from the last programmed point you successfully satisfied.

Compared even to story-driven shooters like BioShock, this is terribly disappointing, and the game has zero replay value. Compared to early efforts like Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition or polished modern games like Mass Effect, this is not a game - it's a movie where you are forced to use the controller and earn progress.

Yet for all of that, this game is not a total loss. The visuals are good, and combine with the sounds to be evocative and visceral. The body animations are reasonably rendered even if the characters' mouths rarely move when they talk. The overstereotypical New York mobster dialog and voice acting is amusing, and delivered with a sense of humor to make it fun rather than trite.

While I doubt this game will ever be remembered as seminal, or even remembered in a few years, it is not a total waste. Given that it can be found used, played, and then resold it's probably worth your time to play.

THE BOREDUMNESS

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 0 / 3
Date: March 31, 2008
Author: Amazon User

keyword: Boring.

graphics: great.

about as repetitive as assassins creed.

Awesome!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 30, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I really like the plot in this game. I have read the comics which makes the game play even better.

Good overall experience

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 05, 2008
Author: Amazon User

The game had amazing visual along with a captivating story. It plays like your usual first person shooter except you get the perk of having different 'Darkness' powers which put a whole new twist on the genre. Coming from the makers of Bioshock you should know you are getting a quality game.

The one gripe I do have about the game is the overall movement of your character. He seems to move a lot slower then other first person shooters so it took a little getting used to. It made it a little harder to run and gun, if you get into trouble running away wasn't easy. The powers would cover you for the most part but it was just something I wasn't too happy with.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this to others. Of one note, the language in this game is very adult. You may not want to buy this game for children under 16 or so.

Good Game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 01, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I enjoyed the game very much. The graphics are very good and the gameplay was consistently entertaining. Considering you can get the game for under 20 bucks, I think its an awesome deal and I highly recommend it.

More like Donness

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: February 17, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Great story and great game play, though i didn't care for the aiming in the game. the powers were cool and like i said really good story just not a good game as far as replay value goes.

DEMONS COMING OUT OF YOUR SHOULDERS?! NIIIIICE!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: January 20, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Although I personally can only play this game for 30-60 minutes at a time without getting motion sick, the "graphics"- emphasis on the word "graphic" -are sick, as is the game- literally! I mean, name one other game where you can run around as a former mobster who came back from the dead with submachine guns, commanding the legions of hell to spring forth from the ground- complete with combat helmets and chain guns -and have demon-like serpents spring forth from one's shoulders to "Devour Heart", using the "A" button?! AND THEY SHOW IT. NASTEEEEY!!!! Give it a shot, but take your dramamine for this motion sickness-inducing game.

Not great

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: January 01, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I enjoyed the demo a little, but not to really make me want the game REALLY bad. Found this one sale, and figured I would give it another chance, and I didnt get really all that much farther than I did with the demo.

Some nice visuals, but I couldnt really get into it otherwise.

decent game, under appreciated

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: December 29, 2007
Author: Amazon User

While some game flaws kept this game from being great. It is fun to wreak havic with Darklings and the dark powers but controls are not that great. But there is a lot here to enjoy as well, and I got the game for 19.99 so it was well worth the pick up. So I suggest you check it out and I think you will enjoy it.

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