Darksiders III: Deluxe Edition

Darksiders III: Deluxe Edition is an action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic fantasy world where players take on the role of Fury, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The game blends hack-and-slash combat with Souls-like mechanics as Fury battles through a ruined Earth to restore balance by defeating the Seven Deadly Sins. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game, two DLC expansions (Keepers of the Void and The Crucible), and a digital soundtrack, offering additional challenges and content.

Darksiders III: Deluxe Edition – A Comprehensive Retrospective

Introduction: The Legacy of Fury

Darksiders III: Deluxe Edition is a fascinating, if flawed, entry in the Darksiders franchise—a series that has long blended mythological grandeur with visceral action. Released in 2018 by Gunfire Games (comprising former Vigil Games developers) and published by THQ Nordic, Darksiders III shifts focus to Fury, the enigmatic and volatile third Horseman of the Apocalypse. This review dissects the game’s development, narrative depth, gameplay evolution, and its place in the broader Darksiders saga, while evaluating the Deluxe Edition’s added value.

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Development History & Context

A Phoenix from the Ashes

The Darksiders series nearly met its end with the collapse of THQ in 2012, which shuttered Vigil Games and left the franchise in limbo. The IP was acquired by Nordic Games (later THQ Nordic) in 2013, and development of Darksiders III began under Gunfire Games, a studio founded by former Vigil leads, including director David Adams. This continuity in creative vision was crucial, as the team sought to honor the series’ legacy while carving a new identity.

Technological and Design Constraints

Built on Unreal Engine 4, Darksiders III faced the challenge of modernizing the franchise’s gameplay without alienating fans. The developers drew inspiration from Dark Souls and Metroidvania titles, opting for a more methodical, combat-focused experience. However, budgetary and time constraints led to technical shortcomings, particularly in optimization, which plagued the game’s launch across platforms.

The Gaming Landscape of 2018

Released in late 2018, Darksiders III entered a market dominated by open-world epics like Red Dead Redemption 2 and God of War (2018). Its deliberate, Souls-like combat and linear progression felt anachronistic to some, yet it carved a niche for players craving a challenging, self-contained action-RPG.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot: A Tale of Deception and Redemption

Darksiders III unfolds parallel to the events of the first two games, following Fury as she is tasked by the Charred Council to hunt the Seven Deadly Sins, who have escaped their celestial prison. The narrative is a masterclass in slow-burn revelation, with Fury initially believing her mission is noble, only to uncover the Council’s machinations. The true antagonist, Envy (disguised as Fury’s Watcher), manipulates events to absorb the other Sins’ power, culminating in a climactic betrayal.

Key thematic threads include:
– The Illusion of Control: Fury’s journey mirrors the series’ recurring critique of divine authority. The Charred Council, ostensibly maintainers of balance, are revealed as self-serving manipulators.
– Redemption Through Sacrifice: Fury’s arc culminates in her rejecting the Council’s authority to protect humanity, a stark contrast to War’s vengeful path in Darksiders I.
– The Cost of Power: The Lord of the Hollows, a former Council member, grants Fury her Hollow forms but at the cost of his own life, underscoring the game’s moral ambiguity.

Characters: Depth and Voice

• Fury: Voiced by Laura Bailey, Fury is a compelling protagonist—brash yet vulnerable, her growth from a Council pawn to a self-determined protector is the game’s emotional core.
• The Lord of the Hollows: A tragic figure whose defiance of the Council’s dogma resonates with the series’ anti-authoritarian themes.
• Ulthane and Strife: Returning characters add continuity, with Strife’s disguised role as “Jones” hinting at deeper lore connections.

Dialogue and Writing

The script balances mythic grandeur with dark humor, though some lines veer into camp. The voice acting is strong, particularly Bailey’s performance, which conveys Fury’s shifting emotions with nuance.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Combat: A Souls-Like Evolution

Darksiders III’s combat is its defining feature, departing from the combo-heavy brawls of its predecessors in favor of a weightier, defensive approach:
– Dodge and Counter: Precision timing is essential, with no invincibility frames on dodges, demanding mastery.
– Hollow Forms: Fury’s elemental transformations (Fire, Storm, etc.) introduce variety, each offering unique weapons and traversal abilities.
– Weapon Upgrades: The Rune system allows for customization, though the lack of a loot system (unlike Darksiders II) limits depth.

Progression and Difficulty

• Souls Currency: Lost on death, recoverable via a glowing orb—a mechanic borrowed from Dark Souls but executed with less polish.
• Scaling Enemies: Defeating a Sin triggers a global difficulty spike, a controversial design choice that punishes exploration.
• Checkpoints: Infrequent and poorly placed, exacerbating frustration during boss fights.

Exploration and Puzzles

The game’s semi-open world encourages backtracking, with Hollow abilities gating progression. Puzzles are simplistic, often reduced to lever-pulling or bomb-placement, a step down from Darksiders II’s intricate dungeons.

UI and Technical Issues

The UI is functional but clunky, with inventory management feeling archaic. Technical issues—frame drops, long load times, and camera quirks—marred the experience, particularly on console.

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World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting: A Post-Apocalyptic Tapestry

Darksiders III’s Earth is a ruined, surreal landscape, blending Gothic architecture with grotesque organic horrors. Key locales:
– Haven: A sanctuary for surviving humans, contrasting the desolation outside.
– The Hollows: A liminal realm reflecting the game’s themes of rebirth.
– The Scar: A demon-infested wasteland, showcasing the game’s environmental storytelling.

Visual Design

The art direction is a standout, with character designs (e.g., the bloated, beetle-borne Sloth) embodying their sinful themes. However, textures and lighting often lack polish, betraying the game’s budget constraints.

Soundtrack and Audio

Cris Velasco’s score is a highlight, blending orchestral grandeur with eerie ambient tracks. The sound design—crunching bones, crackling fire—enhances immersion, though some voice lines suffer from repetitive delivery.

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Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Response

Darksiders III received “mixed or average” reviews (Metacritic: 64-70/100), with praise for its combat and narrative but criticism for technical flaws and repetitive design. The Deluxe Edition (bundling DLCs The Crucible and Keepers of the Void) addressed some complaints but didn’t fully redeem the base experience.

Fan Reception

Fans were divided:
– Praise: Loyalists appreciated Fury’s story and the return to form for the series’ lore.
– Criticism: Many bemoaned the lack of innovation, comparing it unfavorably to Darksiders II’s ambition.

Influence and Future

The game’s modest success (71,000 Steam sales in its first week) secured the franchise’s future, leading to Darksiders Genesis (2019) and the announced Darksiders IV. Its Souls-like mechanics influenced later titles like Remnant: From the Ashes (also by Gunfire Games).

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Conclusion: A Flawed but Essential Chapter

Darksiders III: Deluxe Edition is a game of contradictions—ambitious in narrative and combat, yet hamstrung by technical limitations and design missteps. It stands as a testament to the resilience of the Darksiders franchise, offering a compelling story and satisfying gameplay loop despite its flaws.

Final Verdict: 7.5/10 – A worthy addition to the series, best appreciated by fans of its lore and combat, but not without significant rough edges.

For newcomers, the Deluxe Edition is the definitive way to experience Fury’s journey, though those seeking polish may find it lacking. For veterans, it’s an essential, if imperfect, bridge to the franchise’s future.