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« on: August 15, 2007, 09:28:39 am »
The Darkness
A Few weeks ago I happened into a GameStop and was prepared to purchase a new Videogame. I haven’t been in the videogame scene much due to real life issues, but I thought I’d ask a few of the workers there for their assistance. All three of them recommended “The Darkness”. This Game was developed by 2K and Starbreeze, in case you don’t recognize their names they are the developers of “Chronicles of Riddick”
First off I would like to say that this game is one ♥♥♥♥♥ of a ride. This is not for children, or the weak of heart. This story was well written, well developed and well though out. It reminds me a lot of the Old “Alice” PC game. If you’ve played it, you know what I’m talking about. This game also is completely beautiful. The character models and movements are very accurate. Though I feel that there is a little more "glitchiness" to the game than I would’ve liked, overall I thought it was a great game. So now time to break it down a little more:
1) Game play. In my opinion game play, and playability is the main focus of why I play videogames, and this one completely fulfills both to an almost perfect degree. With a good mix of Action, and story you never get completely bored with walking around the “mid-levels” that is the train station. Lots of side quests and dialogue keep the mind as well as the fingers very busy. During the more action oriented sequences the developers know how to skate that fine line between first-person Slaughter fest, and Tricky Ninja-like assassination. With the Darkness powers, you can almost go through the game without ever wielding a weapon, and if you prefer to go around wasting your foes with shotguns, and Dual-wielding pistols, that works just as well. The control layout is very well rounded, with the triggers acting as the shooting buttons when weapons are drawn, and the bumpers acting to enable the darkness powers. These powers are very easy to use, and learn, through their simplistic nature, but their multiple sue functionality. Overall One of the best parts to this game
2) Graphics/Cinematic. A lot of recent game developers recently have taken to turning cinematic into a time waster in my opinion. They short cut the cut-scenes by using real game graphics, in the hopes that the gamers’ imagination will hold out just long enough to get the gamer back into the action. The Darkness, take on a completely different approach. Not ONCE did I ever see a loading screen, why? Well when levels were loading the game would play a cinematic to help us delve deeper into the life story of Jackie, and his acquaintances. As the story progresses Jacke's becomes less and less a possessed madman, and more of a survivalist doing what he can to not be consumed by the evil that he has surrounded himself with. If I give you one tip for this game ladies and gentleman it is, pay attention to the cinematic. Now, as for the game graphics, they are astounding. From the amazing landscapes, to the facial and body languages it was awesome. I often found myself spending 30-45 minutes just watching the two dueling dancers in the subway. When the game takes on a darker aspect as you delve into Jackie’s past, the game just pulls you in even further. Now my only problems with the cinematics in this game were the amount of clipping bugs I ran into. On more than a few occasions I found myself struggling to move, and maneuver myself into and out of places that should be easy, and I lost nearly a dozen hearts due to bodies flying through walls. But overall still very well done in my opinion.
3) Extras. This game did extras in a way in which I love. Littered throughout the game are notes, phone numbers to be exact, each one of them giving you a different funny/sad/realistic phone message when called from a pay phone, as well as letters that you can mail through mailboxes. From what I saw just by playing the game there are near 200 extras that can be unlocked. So have fun finding them all.
4) –SPOILER ALERT-- Last but not least of all Darkness powers. This was one of the best elements of the game. They range from simple melee attacks, to the summoning of Demons to do your dirty work for you. These powers are very simple to use on the control pad. One of the key elements to gaining your new Darkness powers is the consumption of hearts. Not just any hearts, but hearts of bad men. The more evil the more darkness power you gain. Also as a side note on the extras, there are different clothing options that you’ll find for your little spawnlings around the game. They love to dress up and do nasty things with some nasty items, like a katana, a jack-hammer, and even a hand-saw. Can we say big mess?
Overall I had a huge amount of fun with this game. If you’re like me and you like to get achievements, then some of them will only be gained through multi-player. Since I didn’t have internet at my house or an X-box Live account I couldn’t test out the multi-player aspect of the game but I’ve heard some good things about it. So, If you’re in the mood for some fast action, good storyline, and tons of extras to find, this game is defiantly something you should check out.
Until next time Kiddies.
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I guess she will just have to deal with beating all of you down from the comfort of our couch.