The Darkness Reviews Thread

[DWF]

They're not terrible, decently reputable:

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3160484

9/10

[reaper114]

nice find, good stuff :)

[DWF]

I also here that PlayStation Magazine gave it a 9/10.

So:

OXM Au: 9/10
Play Magazine UK: 91/100
OXM UK: 9/10
OXM CZ: 8.3/10
1UP: 9/10
Gamereactor: 8/10... second opinion was 6/10

That's all I know of so far.

[poopypooperson]

wtf... average reader score is 4.3 on 1UP?

[poopypooperson]

Yet there are only 3 reviews up from customers and they're all 10s. Can you rate games without writing reviews on 1UP? Maybe the site just messed up :S.

[DWF]

Yet there are only 3 reviews up from customers and they're all 10s. Can you rate games without writing reviews on 1UP? Maybe the site just messed up :S.

Don't worry about it. Not enough people have played it to write reader reviews; most of the time when that happens before a game's release, it's just people randomly putting in a score. Usually it's a 10 because they're hyped for it, but there are always tools who put a low score just to upset the average.

[Razzel]

Decent sounding game. They didn't really mention the awkward controls and physics that some of the other sites have, so that could be a good sign. They did mention awkward animations though, so that's a new thing to worry about.

[korvas]

Decent sounding game. They didn't really mention the awkward controls and physics that some of the other sites have, so that could be a good sign. They did mention awkward animations though, so that's a new thing to worry about.

dude first of all, no game is a perfect. Even highest scored games have problems. 9 is an awesome score to be happy with.

Then I just want to say that most impressions and some reviews have been on preview builds.

[BeyondSpectrality]

Although they gave the game a good score the end of the review boggles my mind, "Perhaps because I've already played a somewhat similar game in Riddick, The Darkness doesn't give off quite the same 'this is amazing, and you absolutely must play it' vibe that Riddick did. But it also feels like a more polished game, and the base mechanics work extremely well by the time you reach the end of the single-player campaign."

I don't get it...plus this game seems (from videos) to be very different from Riddick....but whatever...

[DWF]

Unfortunately, the review itself is not in this thread. Yet. But it will be this weekend.

If you're hungry for more Darkness information be sure to tune into IGN over the weekend when we'll be bringing you the definitive review.

Here's the link: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/798/798769p1.html

Personally, I find IGN to be the best source of reviews on the internet. They're the most balanced and fair. Usually, the score they give a game is fairly close to the score I'd give it. Needless to say, then, I can't wait to see their Darkness review...

[poopypooperson]

I agree, IGN has really great reviews, I just hate their screenshots... and the ability for people to review games before they're released, but all around, I love IGN.

[ShadowWolf9]

I've been following ever aspect of IGN for over 10 years and I strongly agree that they are fait and all the workers are very awesome.

Best podcast on the net, SCOOP!

I can't wait for the review.

[cdstacker]

the only thing i've noticed about ign (ign AU at least) is that occasionally they can be a bit over critical, but i'd much rather have a slightly hard reviewer than a soft reviewer.

[Newbeing]

While I do appreciate a reviewer being critical enough to give a hyped game an iffy score, I sometimes think Gamespot does it for the publicity. IGN's scores are usually pretty fair, though I think they can sometimes fall under the sway of a game's hype. *cough* Halo 2 *cough*

[poopypooperson]

While I do appreciate a reviewer being critical enough to give a hyped game an iffy score, I sometimes think Gamespot does it for the publicity. IGN's scores are usually pretty fair, though I think they can sometimes fall under the sway of a game's hype. *cough* Halo 2 *cough*Yeah, meh, I remember when they reviewed Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, they gave it an 8.6 I believe, that was utter bull****, it was arguably the best game for Xbox. And yeah, Halo 2 isn't deserving at all of 9.8, hahahahaha.

[Mr.Bubblez]

in related news 1up gave the game a 91%.

[Mr.Bubblez]

in related news 1up gave the game a 91%.

by "the game" i mean darkness, not halo 2.

[BeyondSpectrality]

This is awsome, thanks for the post! I wonder if it's true that enemies literally get ripped in half by the jackhammer darkling ;o! Crazy....Just makes the many years I've been waiting that much more fulfilling ;O!

[poopypooperson]

in related news 1up gave the game a 91%.Do you mean, that's the score IGN gave The Darkness? Because 1UP still has that one review up.

[FEED_US!]

Okay halo 2 SINGLE player didnt deserve it. But both SP and MP halo 3 will rock everyones world. Apart form PS3

[Jigsaw]

I dont know about that, the beta wasnt too great. But, who knows what they will do before the release

[FEED_US!]

The beta was alright. but It was said the beta was a smokescreen. They put the beta out to keep people quiet and give them time to work on the game. The beta was no-where near finshed =):D

[HellblazerUSA]

IGN has the review up (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/798/798765p1.html).

8.5.
And a really badly written review.

[FEED_US!]

Its a Ign UK review they suck so much at reviews they should be sacked.:mad:

[Newbeing]

Yeah that review wasn't written very well, but an 8.5 isn't a bad score. Not sure if IGN's USA score will differ, but I suspect it will at least be better written.

[Twinblade105]

that was a bad review. they gave a 8 for the graphics just because there wasnt enough blood/gore? :\

[FEED_US!]

I dont know why, it sounded like they were bagging it the WHOLE review,

It was just a VERY bad review.

geez . its disgusting that there pros

[HellblazerUSA]

Here's the thing... If the review had been bad, then I wouldn't mind so much- so long as they justified it in the review.
My problem with this review... It just feels like the guy wasn't interested in playing the game! A professional should at least be able to remain objective.

I especially find myself irritated by the part where, instead of describing the graphics and gameplay style, he just compares it to Condemned and then brushes that comparison aside by saying that:

"The Darkness is nowhere as psychologically terrifying. Perhaps due to the ludicrous scenario and over-the-top voice acting it simply isn't scary, and the main sensation it induces is panic as you desperately try to run for cover with your ridiculous tentacles flapping all over the place."

Again... a bad review is a bad review. This review fails because it gives the game a decent score, but can't seem to come up with anything positive to say.

[DWF]

Does IGN usually post two different scores? One for UK and one for US?

[witch]

Here's the thing... If the review had been bad, then I wouldn't mind so much- so long as they justified it in the review.
My problem with this review... It just feels like the guy wasn't interested in playing the game! A professional should at least be able to remain objective.

I especially find myself irritated by the part where, instead of describing the graphics and gameplay style, he just compares it to Condemned and then brushes that comparison aside by saying that:

"The Darkness is nowhere as psychologically terrifying. Perhaps due to the ludicrous scenario and over-the-top voice acting it simply isn't scary, and the main sensation it induces is panic as you desperately try to run for cover with your ridiculous tentacles flapping all over the place."

Again... a bad review is a bad review. This review fails because it gives the game a decent score, but can't seem to come up with anything positive to say.

That's my problem with it as well, almost like he wrote it in a rush. I don't criticize game review sites for their reviews on the games I like (I tend not to listen anyway) but this one seems a bit off.

[BeyondSpectrality]

Agreed....At the end the guy talks about how it's not as gory as you might think (who cares) and he keeps bringing up the fact that FPS is a tired genre which means he just doesn't like FPS games...so why is he reviewing one?

Just a poor review even though he gave it a good score, same thing happened with 1Ups review.....GREAT score BAAADDD review....

[poopypooperson]

Does IGN usually post two different scores? One for UK and one for US?Yes, the US IGN writes theirs better.

[Jack D. Estacato]

honestly...its really not as gory as the comic...maybe thats what he was getting at...still

i dont see how anyone can saw this game is mediocre

[Razzel]

That was a horrible review. He didn't justify any of his scoring. For graphics, he put not as much gore as you were expecting....umm, that shouldn't have any bearing on the graphics score. For sound he gave it a 7.5 because the New Yor accents are annoying! What the hell is that? On presentation he didn't have anything bad to say, yet still only an 8.5. That review made absolutely no sense.

[poopypooperson]

That was a horrible review. He didn't justify any of his scoring. For graphics, he put not as much gore as you were expecting....umm, that shouldn't have any bearing on the graphics score. For sound he gave it a 7.5 because the New Yor accents are annoying! What the hell is that? On presentation he didn't have anything bad to say, yet still only an 8.5. That review made absolutely no sense.Yeah, you can't degrade graphics because they aren't gory enough, heh. Gore actually has little to do with graphics, he even says they're state of the art... from the review, it really sounds like he wasn't expecting anything from the game at all.

[Razzel]

Well, hopefully this isn't what IGN meant when they said the definitive review, and the IGN US review will be up later today.

[DWF]

Why is it that some games get a UK review from IGN but some don't?

[Raveness]

Why is it that some games get a UK review from IGN but some don't?

Management of a smaller market, spreading the wealth.

[DWF]

8/10

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=78377&page=1

They actually had some positive things to say about MP.

[Newbeing]

Just so everyone can find all the reviews in one place please post the links here. Thanks.

[TheDarkness]

Unfortunately, the review itself is not in this thread. Yet. But it will be this weekend.



Here's the link: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/798/798769p1.html

Personally, I find IGN to be the best source of reviews on the internet. They're the most balanced and fair. Usually, the score they give a game is fairly close to the score I'd give it. Needless to say, then, I can't wait to see their Darkness review...
Me too but also Gamespot.
I read both reviews to back each other's up. For the most part, they mention the same exact stuff. Just i dont like how gamespot gets ther scores from a weird average of gameplay/graphics/etc. making them give a game with only decent graphics a 9 when really it should get a 7. They are getting a new rating system today so thatll change

[Razzel]

8/10

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=78377&page=1

They actually had some positive things to say about MP.

Wow, they trash the game almost more then IGN did. Getting a little worried here for sure. Although I will say that Eurogamer and I have almost opposite taste in games. They gave Dirt, NBA 2k7, Gears of War, Fight Night 3 and other great games an 8 as well, while even giving some games like Condemned and GRAW a 7 and Kameo a 5! They always just seem to miss the point.

[DWF]

EGM gave it a 9, 6.5, and an 8.5.

The one reviewer who gave it a 6.5 didn't like how the puzzles made you think and find out things on your own... He also felt that the quests were too difficult because you actually had to pay attention to street signs and the like to figure out where you're supposed to go, and he says that if he wanted to do that, he'd do it in real life...

[HellblazerUSA]

EGM gave it a 9, 6.5, and an 8.5.

The one reviewer who gave it a 6.5 didn't like how the puzzles made you think and find out things on your own... He also felt that the quests were too difficult because you actually had to pay attention to street signs and the like to figure out where you're supposed to go, and he says that if he wanted to do that, he'd do it in real life...

Are you freakin' serious? :eek:

Jeez... Are they just hiring writers off the streets now?

"Oh noes! I'm forced to think! There goes another point off the score"

Usually, poor reviews don't bother me- of they can justify why they don't like the game, that's fair enough. But too many of these reviews seem to be just pulled out of their... well, you know where I meant.

[Newbeing]

EGM gave it a 9, 6.5, and an 8.5.

The one reviewer who gave it a 6.5 didn't like how the puzzles made you think and find out things on your own... He also felt that the quests were too difficult because you actually had to pay attention to street signs and the like to figure out where you're supposed to go, and he says that if he wanted to do that, he'd do it in real life...


What did the other two reviewers like about it?

[HellblazerUSA]

Gamepro review (http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/118351.shtml)- 4.25 out of 5. Lousy way to score a game, huh? :rolleyes:

[Razzel]

Gamepro review (http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/118351.shtml)- 4.25 out of 5. Lousy way to score a game, huh? :rolleyes:

Man, it's funny, the scores for the game aren't bad, but everyone keeps bashing the game in their reviews. Now I'm officially worried, but I'll wait to see what the big 3, Gamespot, IGN, and Teamxbox have to say.

[TheDarkness]

Im getting it either way, reviews dont matter now, maybe a demo first though (if theres ognnabe one ill play it first)

anway- Gamespot and IGN (US) are the only reviews i care about- they actually go into detail and have a standard accross all there games

[DWF]

IGN US Review: http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/799/799368p2.html

7.8/10

[DWF]

Gamesradar Review: http://www.gamesradar.com/us/xbox360/game/reviews/article.jsp?articleId=20070625145339808081&releaseId=20060303131525831098&sectionId=1000&pageId=20070625145931993063

9/10

[poopypooperson]

Hm... I don't know if I want to get this much anymore, I may just rent it... besides my only motive to buy it would be to have it in waiting for BioShock. :/

[BioShockWins]

Hm... I don't know if I want to get this much anymore, I may just rent it... besides my only motive to buy it would be to have it in waiting for BioShock. :/

aHa! a confession!

jk

[Newbeing]

I think I'll still be buying this. It's not as if most of the reviews are 7.5's or worse 6.0. The fact of the matter is if I wait to buy a game that is a 9/10's across the board I'll probably be waiting all the way till the end of august.

[DWF]

I think I'll still be buying this. It's not as if most of the reviews are 7.5's or worse 6.0. The fact of the matter is if I wait to buy a game that is a 9/10's across the board I'll probably be waiting all the way till the end of august.

Exactly. I usually trust IGN, and I'm not saying they're wrong here because I personally have yet to play the game. But it's receiving a lot of 9s and the occasional 8... Other than the one EGM reviewer who gave it a 6.5 (while the other two gave it a 9 and a 6.5), IGN's review is the lowest score that I've seen thus far.

Maybe it's one of those "some people get it, some people just don't" kind of thing. Or maybe some people have differing views on value. The game may be great, but for $60 you might want a strong multiplayer as well.

I'll be buying it. I'll beat the Single Player as many times as it takes to unlock everything and I'll give the multiplayer a shot. If I enjoy it, I may keep it. If not, I'll trade it in and get like $30 back. Slightly more pricey than a rent, but I don't mind.

[DWF]

EDIT: the other two reviewers from EGM gave it a 9 and an 8.5, not 6.5.

[Newbeing]

Yeah renting can be a safe way of knowing if you like a game or not, but in the end if you REALLY like the game your probably going to buy it, so there is 8 dollars for the rent plus the 60 you need to buy the game.

I'd probably also say play it over a friends house, that way it is the best of both worlds, but sadly my friends are all an hour away or don't own an xbox.

[WildDog9]

I'm buying it no matter what, if I don't like it, it's still a collectable.

[TheDarkness]

Im seeing some 7s to 9s.

They say the game really doesnt have any problems except its slightly easy, the multiplayer is dull as it is unbalanced and cramped. Who thinks that they could have put it on hard mode and that the game community will catch on to how to play it properly?

[piet11111]

i dont like how IGN USA states that they find the AI lacking.

oh well i expect 2K and starbreeze to give the darkness some polishing patches anyway so im not concerned.

[orroromonroe]

IGN's review of the Darkness rating of 7.8 is really unfair.. That rates the game as only being Good on their rating chart..
This game is GREAT..They have been in the habit of giving poor ratings to games that really deserve better reviews..Especially Xbox 360 games or 360 exclusive versions of games not on the PS3.
Interesting Side Note: The only review as of this posting they have given for The Darkness is for the Xbox 360 version..How much do you want to bet that their rating of the PS3 version is higher than 7.8...I would be really shocked if it is the same..
I am also particularly interested in why they also tend to give 2K games, games low ratings. Seems there is a bias for some reason. Personally I would not give them the privaledge of receiving a copy of any of my games to play if I were 2k, or anyone else for that matter..They certainly would not get a copy of Bioshock either..Let them go buy the F**king games like you and I have too..Seeing as how they charge to get full access to their site by becoming an IGN insider, I dont think they should be getting anything for free, unless it is a demo of a game...Oh, I am sure they will give the responsiblity of rating Bioshock to one of their Sony Dickhead reviewers, who will undoubtably give Bioshock a lackluster rating as well, since it wont be on the PS3,,even though this game is brilliant in every way conceivable, and will wind up getting game of the year or should be game of the year..
Well, anyway,, IGN sucks..To many reviewers who have been mind washed by sony over the years...I dont rely on them anymore as a determining factor when I buy a game..Especially a Microsoft game or third party game for play on the Excellent 360 console..I ony use IGN as an additional source for news, screenshots and videos.
I now rely on GameSpot and 1UP for most of my reliable info and they seem to be more unbiased when it comes to game reviews..Considering how many gamers have posted on the IGN forums about their pathetic review rating of The Darkness, maybe they will recast a different rating, but considering their piasness they probably wont.
I will be buying The Darkness regardless and cant wait till August to get Bioshock as well!!!!!

[piet11111]

bioshock should not become game of the year IMO thats reserved for the darkness.

bioshock should be game of the decade :cool:

[SuperSaiyan4]

I was expecting better scores but at least the 360 version is better:

360: http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/799/799624p3.html

PS3: http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/799/799624p1.html

[BioShockWins]

I was expecting better scores but at least the 360 version is better:

360: http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/799/799624p3.html

PS3: http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/799/799624p1.html

different ports have different scores? that's kinda dumb...

[Poison17]

different ports have different scores? that's kinda dumb...It's like that for all games on all review sites because The consoles have different standards they just review them based on what the console it is on can do, also IGN lowered the PS3 score because I think some framerate problems in the PS3 version so that is why the PS3 version did get a lower score.

[Poison17]

Here is Gamespot's Review it got a 8.5 out of 10 http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/thedarkness/review.html?sid=6173249

[The-Bulldozer]

I'm really happy with the scores. I will give it a rent.

[HellblazerUSA]

My Darkness review (http://tinyurl.com/26r5ek)- originally posted over at Gamespot.com.

[DeaconBlade]

well here's my review posted up on Unscripted 360:

http://www.unscripted360.com/2007/07/02/the-darkness-review/

[Nihil]

i don't care about the reveiw it's getting i F#*%#*% love the game!!! :D

[Sandstorm]

It got some excellent reviews, but I wouldn't follow the opinion of one person reviewing the game. If you're interest in a game, go for it and purchase it. Though with all the positive reviews, it is a big incentive to check the Darkness out.

[Sandstorm]

Where is my lovely edit button :p

[THE F3AR IN YOU]

Love the game, it gets 9/10. Until you play multiplayer...goes to about 4/10.

[FallenVamphyre]

Just thought I'd copy this here from my other thread!!

Ok, with all of the "TIHS GMAE SUX0RZ!!111" threads, I decided to point out the good AND bad things in this game, in my opinion.

Pros:
-Beautiful graphics, except for facial design*.
-Breathtaking plotline
-Lush soundscape
-Vast weapons array
-Good hell levels, reminds me a bit of a WWII game.

Cons:
-Bad facial design (Starbreeze & 2k should note that)
-Horrid online multiplayer
-Brief gameplay, only 8-10 hrs.
-Plot and bosses wayyyy rushed (and plot incomplete, we need a sequel!)
-A bit too much swearing (I know it is supposed to portray realism, but it got ridiculous after a few hours)
-No CD soundtrack?!
-To add more, I really didn't like the interactive cutscenes and the ones where you went place to place. Just give us normal cutscenes and don't play one when the new area is loading!

*About the facial design: I should go more in-depth with that.

Yes, most of the GRAPHICS for the face were well-made, but with a few people it was a bit blocky. And for animation, when they scream/yell, their lips hardly move!

In conclusion, this game is definitely good enough to buy, but I think it has some notable flaws that 2k and Starbreeze should note. Let's just hope that if the sequel rumor is true, they fix all of this.

[Nikita Voronin]

The Russian magazine "Igromania" gave it 9.5 out of ten and proclaim it the second game of the year, just after Mass Effect (2007). It's almost the biggest magazine in Europe.

[Nikita Voronin]

Bloody brilliant Game! For me it's the major cause for buying a console. :cool: