Darksiders III Review (PS4)
Introduction
This is the third Darksiders game, developed by Gunfire games. This time, this game takes a bit of influence from From Software's Souls series for some of the gameplay elements. It is highly recommended to install the latest update for this game in order to have different play modes, New Game Plus mode, as well as possible fixes for bug and glitches.
Story
The story takes place before the main event of Darksiders I. War is imprisoned due to the breakage of Seventh Seal, and Fury is tasked by the Charred Council to find and capture all Seven Deadly Sins. Fury eventually traveled to Earth, and eventually discovers that her brother War is innocent from his crimes, as well as find that not all things are black and white like it seems.
The story is pretty good. Much more interesting than Darksiders II story. Fury is also a very likable main character, and I really enjoy her banter with the Watcher. The Seven Deadly Sins are also quite memorable despite their short appearances, and other supporting characters are pretty good too.
Gameplay
The game is mostly action adventure and hack-and-slash like Darksiders I, with some From Software's Souls games elements.
Basically, in order to progress in the game, you need to defeat a story boss in order to proceed the story. As the game lacks a map, you have to find your way to the next story boss by following the on-screen boss marker. Each area has their own platforming and puzzle sections, which require you to use different Fury forms to complete them.
As you progress, you can fast travel to different locations. Most of the time, you have to walk or run towards your next objective marker. You may also freely explore side areas for additional stuffs such as hidden Artifacts and Enhancements.
As for leveling, you will need to spend souls at the vendor to gain a level. By gaining a level, you can spend an attribute point to increase one of Fury's stats. Needless to say, you should pay attention on which Fury's stats that you should emphasise throughout the game. Souls can be obtained by defeating enemies or by using certain items.
You may also upgrade Fury's weapons and Enhancements by spending special materials. As for Enhancements, they can be slotted on Fury's weapons for additional passive effects that may be beneficial in the game.
Combat remains largely the same as previous two Darksiders games. Fury's main weapon is a whip, which she can use to deal damage onto enemies with light attacks and heavy attacks. She also can use a weapon's special attack, which is Wrath attack. Wrath attack consumes the Wrath gauge, which can be filled by attacking enemies or using certain items. She can also dodge enemy attacks, as well as jump for air attacks.
However, Fury is weaker than her brothers, as she can't use Wrath attacks constantly or take a lot of hits. She can however, use the power of Hollows that allow her to use different weapons with different elements. For example, she can use dual-swords with the stasis element in combat.
Enemies come in decent variety. They attack slower than the regular Darksiders games' enemies, but they hit really hard on Fury. Dodging their attacks and initiating dodge-counter moves are important to defeat many enemies in this game. Boss fights are also similar, except they have even more dangerous attacks.
Upon dying in this game, you will lose all of the gained Souls as well as respawn at the last checkpoint. This is the same mechanic like the Souls games' dying feature, except that you will not lose all of your Souls permanently if you die the second time before retrieving your lost Souls.
Overall gameplay is good. Personally, I think the Classic Mode is the best way to experience the game. However, you are free to try out the Default Mode if you want to. Despite some memorable boss fights and good balance of puzzle and platforming sections, Fury's moveset is disappointing. Not many air combos, no pure launcher move, and no buyable weapon techniques. I also find that the Souls-influenced mechanics unnecessary and not utilised effectively. Regardless, the gameplay is still good.
Graphics
Great character models and environment designs, but the framerate is not particularly great. Installing the latest update helps to alleviate some framerate issues, but there are still issues when fighting against decent amount of enemies or when exploring certain areas.
Sound
The voice acting is pretty good. All characters have solid voice actors, and Fury's voice performance is perhaps my favourite in the game. The soundtrack is not particularly memorable to me.
Replay Value
Replay value is moderate. You can play the game again in Armageddon Mode, this game's version of New Game Plus mode. In an NG+ playthrough, you can find new materials to upgrade Fury's Armour. You can also collect new artifacts to increase the Enhancement effects, as well as try out new build for Fury. You may also opt to get an alternate ending for the game by completing a small side-quest.
Conclusion
This is a good game, but it is not particularly great nor the best in the Darksiders series. I highly suggest that players install the latest game update before playing this game. Despite some issues with Fury's capabilities in the game as well as framerate issues, it is still worth playing. Decent addition to the Darksiders series' lore, and Fury is an interesting character herself. Buy and/or play it with reservations.
Score
Story: 8/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Graphics: 6/10
Sound: 8/10
Final Score: 7.25/10 or 29/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Good story.
- Interesting characters.
- Fury is a good lead character.
- Good combat.
- Good boss fights.
- Great looking characters and environments.
- Good voice acting
Cons
- Unnecessary Souls-like mechanics.
- Framerate issues.
- Slower paced battles compared to the previous two games.
- No new unlockable combat techniques like the previous two games.
**Screenshots are from official Playstation game page.
This is the third Darksiders game, developed by Gunfire games. This time, this game takes a bit of influence from From Software's Souls series for some of the gameplay elements. It is highly recommended to install the latest update for this game in order to have different play modes, New Game Plus mode, as well as possible fixes for bug and glitches.
Story
Meet Fury, the third playable Horseman of the Apocalypse.
The story is pretty good. Much more interesting than Darksiders II story. Fury is also a very likable main character, and I really enjoy her banter with the Watcher. The Seven Deadly Sins are also quite memorable despite their short appearances, and other supporting characters are pretty good too.
Gameplay
Wield the power of Hollows against the demons.
Basically, in order to progress in the game, you need to defeat a story boss in order to proceed the story. As the game lacks a map, you have to find your way to the next story boss by following the on-screen boss marker. Each area has their own platforming and puzzle sections, which require you to use different Fury forms to complete them.
As you progress, you can fast travel to different locations. Most of the time, you have to walk or run towards your next objective marker. You may also freely explore side areas for additional stuffs such as hidden Artifacts and Enhancements.
As for leveling, you will need to spend souls at the vendor to gain a level. By gaining a level, you can spend an attribute point to increase one of Fury's stats. Needless to say, you should pay attention on which Fury's stats that you should emphasise throughout the game. Souls can be obtained by defeating enemies or by using certain items.
You may also upgrade Fury's weapons and Enhancements by spending special materials. As for Enhancements, they can be slotted on Fury's weapons for additional passive effects that may be beneficial in the game.
Demons respawn if you die in this game, so watch out.
Combat remains largely the same as previous two Darksiders games. Fury's main weapon is a whip, which she can use to deal damage onto enemies with light attacks and heavy attacks. She also can use a weapon's special attack, which is Wrath attack. Wrath attack consumes the Wrath gauge, which can be filled by attacking enemies or using certain items. She can also dodge enemy attacks, as well as jump for air attacks.
However, Fury is weaker than her brothers, as she can't use Wrath attacks constantly or take a lot of hits. She can however, use the power of Hollows that allow her to use different weapons with different elements. For example, she can use dual-swords with the stasis element in combat.
Enemies come in decent variety. They attack slower than the regular Darksiders games' enemies, but they hit really hard on Fury. Dodging their attacks and initiating dodge-counter moves are important to defeat many enemies in this game. Boss fights are also similar, except they have even more dangerous attacks.
Upon dying in this game, you will lose all of the gained Souls as well as respawn at the last checkpoint. This is the same mechanic like the Souls games' dying feature, except that you will not lose all of your Souls permanently if you die the second time before retrieving your lost Souls.
Overall gameplay is good. Personally, I think the Classic Mode is the best way to experience the game. However, you are free to try out the Default Mode if you want to. Despite some memorable boss fights and good balance of puzzle and platforming sections, Fury's moveset is disappointing. Not many air combos, no pure launcher move, and no buyable weapon techniques. I also find that the Souls-influenced mechanics unnecessary and not utilised effectively. Regardless, the gameplay is still good.
Graphics
Pretty good visuals. Variable framerate.
Sound
Good voice acting. Not memorable soundtrack.
Replay Value
Moderate replay value.
Replay value is moderate. You can play the game again in Armageddon Mode, this game's version of New Game Plus mode. In an NG+ playthrough, you can find new materials to upgrade Fury's Armour. You can also collect new artifacts to increase the Enhancement effects, as well as try out new build for Fury. You may also opt to get an alternate ending for the game by completing a small side-quest.
Conclusion
Good game, but not the best in the Darksiders series.
Score
Story: 8/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Graphics: 6/10
Sound: 8/10
Final Score: 7.25/10 or 29/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Good story.
- Interesting characters.
- Fury is a good lead character.
- Good combat.
- Good boss fights.
- Great looking characters and environments.
- Good voice acting
Cons
- Unnecessary Souls-like mechanics.
- Framerate issues.
- Slower paced battles compared to the previous two games.
- No new unlockable combat techniques like the previous two games.
**Screenshots are from official Playstation game page.
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