We reviewed Darksiders III

Driftwood
Monday, November 26, 2018 | 12:00 PM
14 comments

GSY Review PC PS4 Xbox One

Six years after the release of Darksiders II, Darksiders III is about to ship this week. We haven't had time to fully complete the game yet, but we're about 16 hours into it and we have already beaten 4 of the 7 bosses, so how about we share our thoughts about Fury's adventure? Inside, you'll also find a bunch of videos recorded on PC with Mirillis Action!

Verdict

Although we're under the impression that some key elements (namely puzzles and platforming sequences) have become less present in Darksiders III than in its predecessors, this sequel to War's and Death's adventures remains faithful to the universe invented by Vigil Games. DSIII can sometimes be a little annoying, when the camera gets in the way and causes Fury's death, or when you get lost for a bit too long because of the absence of a proper map, but it's still an engaging title to play. Combat is satisfying, the art style is great and the different characters are really well done overall. With an approach that seems to lean more on the first game than the second, in core mechanics as well as in the world's architecture itself, it seems like Gunfire Games is trying to make it up to those who enjoyed the second episode a bit less. The game world is more interconnected than ever before, but the different areas are also much narrower than in Death's story, so it's hard to say for sure if everyone will like it. That being said, Darksiders III is clealry the first big project carried by THQ Nordic that has the potential to allow the Austrian publisher to play with the big boys.

On the plus side
Great art style
Level design is well-crafted
Darksiders is back
Solid sound design
Combat system is efficient and intelligent
Progression is motivating

On the downside
Camera can be cumbersome
Puzzles and platforming sequences are fewer
Not everyone will like the narrower level design
Framerate isn't perfect on PC

High quality stream and download

Commented on 2018-11-26 13:03:55

One question, I heard it has Persian localization, is it true?

In reply to

Driftwood

Commented on 2018-11-26 13:21:52 In reply to agni_rzm

I haven't seen that yet if it's true.

Sdarts

Commented on 2018-11-26 17:24:58

Thanks for the review and videos.

I hope the combat is great as you say, but the lack of focus for puzzles and platforming is very disappointing to hear. Those are some of the best things in the past 2 games.

Specially the platforming, which was greatly evolved and the reason I had more enjoyment from traversing the world in Darksiders 2, compared to Darksiders 1.

Focusing it more on combat can get tiring after a few hours, unless the combat really nails it and is just pure fun, something that you will be wanting to do as much as possible. The problem is I never felt the previous Darksider games' combat was that great, it was passable at best, but nothing on the same level of a Devil May Cry, Bayonetta or Metal Gear Rising combat.

The reviews are in accordance with what I expected they would be, right now Darksiders 3 has a MetaCritic score of: 64 (PS4) and 72 (PC). Not very far from Fallout 76, a game almost universally regarded as really bad and another game that removed some of the best aspects of previous games and focused on the not so great ones.

Syill, I will play it regardless, since the franchise deservers success and I actually like the Darksiders lore and want to see where the story goes, but will definitely wait for a discount, and maybe even a definitive edition with more additions down the line.

Thanks for the review and videos.

I hope the combat is great as you say, but the lack of focus for puzzles and platforming is very disappointing to hear. Those are some of the best things in the past 2 games.

Specially the platforming, which was greatly evolved and the reason I had more enjoyment from traversing the world in Darksiders 2, compared to Darksiders 1.

Focusing it more on combat can get tiring after a few hours, unless the combat really nails it and is just pure fun, something that you will be wanting to do as much as possible. The problem is I never felt the previous Darksider games' combat was that great, it was passable at best, but nothing on the same level of a Devil May Cry, Bayonetta or Metal Gear Rising combat.

The reviews are in accordance with what I expected they would be, right now Darksiders 3 has a MetaCritic score of: 64 (PS4) and 72 (PC). Not very far from Fallout 76, a game almost universally regarded as really bad and another game that removed some of the best aspects of previous games and focused on the not so great ones.

Syill, I will play it regardless, since the franchise deservers success and I actually like the Darksiders lore and want to see where the story goes, but will definitely wait for a discount, and maybe even a definitive edition with more additions down the line.

jmd749

Commented on 2018-11-27 07:46:46

I'll get it on a Steam sale.

HR2

Commented on 2018-11-27 18:28:10 In reply to agni_rzm

Posted by agni_rzm

I heard it too. wish more games included Persian localisation

nostradamus

Commented on 2018-11-27 20:45:07 In reply to HR2

Posted by HR2

I wish I could be at a Persian location.

yetanothergsuser

Commented on 2018-11-27 21:54:57

Offtopic: anyone else with download problems?
https://www.gamersyde.com/forum_downloads_not_work...

Commented on 2018-11-27 23:56:32 In reply to yetanothergsuser

Posted by yetanothergsuser

I just tested it now, at 05:51 p.m. (ET) / 16:51 (PT) with the "Darksiders 3 Gameplay #1 (PC - 1880p)" and 2 minutes later, with the "Hitman 2 Elusive Target #1 Full Mission Briefing" videos.

In both cases, the downloads through "Main EU Mirror" and "Backup server" aren't working. Only the "bittorrent" download is working.

docLEXfisti

Commented on 2018-11-28 06:40:03

THQ Nordic is Austrian? You sure about that?

Commented on 2018-11-28 06:51:08

Okay, sorry looked it up. Swedish with headquarters in Austria... fascinating.

Never knew that.

alitig

Commented on 2018-11-29 00:06:40

Any PS4 pro footage????waiting

Commented on 2018-11-29 07:49:17

How could we when we were just sent the PC version of the game? Waiting...

nepton

Commented on 2018-11-30 09:37:13

Just downloaded the Xbox One patch yesterday and the game now looks much better on X than it did before. Better contrast/lighting conditions and much cripser image quality.
Previous to the patch it didn't look like it ever hit the resolution target (it's supposed to be dynamic), so graphically I'm very satisfied with the update. :)
Not perfect performance wise though, but not worse either, so I'm ok with that right now.

Commented on 2018-12-03 05:39:34 In reply to Driftwood

Posted by Driftwood

Waiting...

Hahahahahahahah... wtf!? Wait, let me me laugh some more.

Damn, the absurd level of entitlement on that person is just bonkers.

I really feel sorry for you guys sometimes. The shit you guys have to deal with is really fucked up sometimes.

Also, I know that I have been a part of it a few times. And for what it's worth - it might not mean much, but still, I'm sorry.

Thanks for all the hard work you guys do.