Darksiders: Warmastered Edition

Darksiders: Warmastered Edition is a remastered version of the 2010 action-adventure game Darksiders, offering enhanced visuals including native 1080p rendering (on consoles), 4K support (on PC), and improved textures, shadows, and post-processing effects. The game follows War, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, as he seeks vengeance in a post-apocalyptic world blending hack-and-slash combat, platforming, and Metroidvania-style exploration. With a mix of sci-fi and fantasy elements, players battle through a ruined Earth, solving puzzles and riding beasts while uncovering the truth behind a celestial conspiracy.

Darksiders: Warmastered Edition: A Comprehensive Retrospective

Introduction

In the pantheon of action-adventure games, few titles have carved out a niche as distinct and enduring as Darksiders. Released in 2010 by Vigil Games, Darksiders was an ambitious blend of hack-and-slash combat, Metroidvania exploration, and puzzle-solving, all wrapped in a post-apocalyptic narrative steeped in biblical lore. Six years later, Darksiders: Warmastered Edition emerged as a remastered iteration, aiming to reintroduce this cult classic to a new generation of gamers while refining its visual and technical aspects. This review delves deep into the game’s development history, narrative intricacies, gameplay mechanics, artistic achievements, and its lasting legacy in the gaming landscape.

Development History & Context

The Birth of Vigil Games and the Vision Behind Darksiders

Vigil Games, founded in 2005 by comic book artist Joe Madureira and industry veteran David Adams, was conceived with the ambition to create visually striking and narratively rich action games. Madureira, known for his work on Uncanny X-Men and Battle Chasers, brought a distinctive comic book aesthetic to Darksiders, which became the studio’s debut title. The game was envisioned as the first in a quadrilogy, each centered around one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

The development of Darksiders was marked by a desire to merge the best elements of established franchises like The Legend of Zelda, God of War, and Devil May Cry into a cohesive and unique experience. The team at Vigil Games sought to create a game that was both familiar and innovative, leveraging the strengths of its inspirations while carving out its own identity.

Technological Constraints and the Gaming Landscape of 2010

The original Darksiders was developed using the Phoenix Engine, a proprietary engine designed to handle the game’s ambitious scope. However, the technological limitations of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 era posed significant challenges. The game’s open-world design, intricate level layouts, and detailed character models pushed the hardware to its limits, resulting in occasional frame rate drops and texture pop-ins.

The gaming landscape in 2010 was dominated by titles like God of War III, Bayonetta, and Mass Effect 2, each setting high standards for action, narrative, and visual fidelity. Darksiders entered this competitive arena with a unique blend of genres, offering a fresh take on the action-adventure formula. Its success was a testament to Vigil Games’ ability to innovate within the constraints of the era.

The Remastering Process and the Role of Kaiko

The Warmastered Edition, released in 2016, was developed by Kaiko, a studio with a history of remastering classic titles. The remaster aimed to address the technical limitations of the original while preserving its core gameplay and narrative. Key improvements included native 1080p rendering on consoles, 4K support on PC, doubled texture resolutions, improved shadow rendering, and re-rendered cutscenes in 60 FPS.

Kaiko’s approach to the remaster was focused on enhancing the visual fidelity and performance of the game without altering its fundamental mechanics. This decision was met with mixed reactions, as some players hoped for more substantial gameplay refinements. However, the remaster succeeded in making Darksiders more accessible to modern audiences, ensuring that its legacy could be appreciated by a new generation of gamers.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot Summary and Character Analysis

Darksiders follows the story of War, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who is framed for prematurely triggering the end of the world. The game begins with War arriving on Earth to find humanity caught in the crossfire of a battle between angels and demons. After being defeated by the demon Straga, War is brought before the Charred Council, a group of ancient beings tasked with maintaining the balance between Heaven and Hell. Accused of breaking the sacred law, War is stripped of his powers and sent back to Earth to clear his name.

The narrative unfolds as War traverses a post-apocalyptic landscape, battling both angelic and demonic forces while uncovering the truth behind the premature Apocalypse. Along the way, he encounters a cast of memorable characters, including the Watcher, a six-eyed demon tasked with overseeing War’s journey; Uriel, the leader of the Hellguard; and Vulgrim, a demon merchant who provides War with weapons and upgrades.

Themes and Symbolism

Darksiders explores themes of redemption, betrayal, and the struggle for power. War’s journey is a quest for vindication, as he seeks to prove his innocence and restore balance to the world. The game’s narrative is steeped in biblical lore, drawing heavily from the Book of Revelation and the concept of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. This religious imagery is juxtaposed with a dark fantasy aesthetic, creating a unique and immersive world.

The game also delves into the moral ambiguity of its characters, with War himself being a complex and flawed protagonist. His actions, though driven by a desire for justice, often result in violence and destruction. This moral complexity adds depth to the narrative, challenging players to question the nature of War’s quest and the consequences of his actions.

Dialogue and Voice Acting

The dialogue in Darksiders is a mix of dramatic and humorous, with characters often delivering over-the-top one-liners that fit the game’s dark fantasy tone. The voice acting is a standout feature, with notable performances from Liam O’Brien as War and Mark Hamill as the Watcher. O’Brien’s portrayal of War is a blend of stoicism and barely contained rage, while Hamill’s Watcher is a delightful mix of sarcasm and menace.

The game’s cutscenes, though visually impressive, suffer from occasional lip-sync issues and repetitive dialogue. However, these minor flaws do little to detract from the overall narrative experience, which remains engaging and immersive throughout.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loop

Darksiders is a blend of hack-and-slash combat, Metroidvania exploration, and puzzle-solving. The game’s core gameplay loop revolves around exploring a post-apocalyptic Earth, battling enemies, solving puzzles, and acquiring new abilities that allow War to access previously inaccessible areas. This structure is reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda series, with a focus on dungeon crawling and boss battles.

The combat system is a highlight of the game, offering a variety of weapons and abilities that can be combined to create devastating combos. War’s primary weapon is the Chaoseater, a massive sword that can be upgraded throughout the game. Additional weapons, such as the Scythe and the revolver, provide variety and strategic depth to the combat.

Character Progression and UI

Character progression in Darksiders is handled through a combination of weapon upgrades, ability unlocks, and health expansions. War can collect souls from defeated enemies, which can be used to purchase new combos, enhance Wrath powers, and acquire power-ups. The game’s UI is functional but somewhat dated, with a focus on providing essential information without overwhelming the player.

The game’s inventory system is straightforward, allowing players to manage their weapons, items, and upgrades with ease. However, the lack of a more detailed crafting or customization system is a missed opportunity, as it could have added additional depth to the gameplay experience.

Innovative and Flawed Systems

Darksiders introduces several innovative mechanics, such as the ability to summon War’s horse, Ruin, for faster traversal and increased combat power. The game also features a variety of environmental puzzles that require the use of War’s abilities and weapons to solve. These puzzles are generally well-designed, offering a satisfying challenge without becoming overly frustrating.

However, the game is not without its flaws. The camera system can be unwieldy, particularly during combat, and the lock-on targeting mechanism is not always reliable. Additionally, the game’s difficulty curve is uneven, with some sections being overly punishing while others are relatively easy. These issues, though minor, can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

Darksiders is set in a post-apocalyptic Earth, where the forces of Heaven and Hell have laid waste to the world. The game’s environments are a mix of ruined cities, desolate landscapes, and ancient dungeons, each filled with detailed textures and atmospheric lighting. The world is richly detailed, with a strong sense of place and history that immerses the player in the game’s narrative.

The game’s art direction is a standout feature, with a distinctive comic book aesthetic that sets it apart from other action-adventure titles. The character designs are particularly impressive, with War and his allies and enemies all boasting unique and memorable appearances. The game’s use of color is also noteworthy, with a palette that ranges from the muted tones of the post-apocalyptic landscape to the vibrant hues of the game’s more fantastical elements.

Sound Design and Music

The sound design in Darksiders is excellent, with a mix of ambient noises, weapon sounds, and character voices that create a rich and immersive audio experience. The game’s soundtrack, composed by Cris Velasco, Mike Reagan, and Scott Morton, is a blend of orchestral and electronic music that complements the game’s dark fantasy tone. The music is dynamic and responsive, changing to reflect the intensity of the action on screen.

The voice acting, as previously mentioned, is a highlight of the game, with notable performances from Liam O’Brien and Mark Hamill. The game’s dialogue is well-written and delivered with conviction, adding depth and personality to the characters.

Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Reception

Darksiders was met with generally positive reviews upon its release in 2010. Critics praised the game’s combat, visuals, and narrative, though some noted its derivative nature and technical issues. The game’s Metascore on Metacritic ranges from 82 to 83 across platforms, indicating a strong critical reception.

The Warmastered Edition, released in 2016, was similarly well-received, with critics praising its visual enhancements and improved performance. The remaster’s Metascore ranges from 77 to 81, reflecting a generally favorable reception. However, some critics noted that the remaster did little to address the original game’s flaws, such as its uneven difficulty curve and occasional camera issues.

Influence on Subsequent Games and the Industry

Darksiders has had a significant influence on the action-adventure genre, inspiring a number of subsequent titles to blend hack-and-slash combat with Metroidvania exploration. The game’s success also led to the development of two sequels, Darksiders II and Darksiders III, each focusing on a different Horseman of the Apocalypse.

The franchise’s unique blend of genres and distinctive art style have made it a standout in the gaming landscape, with a dedicated fanbase that continues to support the series. The Warmastered Edition has played a crucial role in introducing the game to a new generation of players, ensuring that its legacy endures.

Conclusion

Darksiders: Warmastered Edition is a testament to the enduring appeal of Vigil Games’ original vision. While the remaster does little to address the original game’s flaws, it succeeds in enhancing its visual fidelity and performance, making it more accessible to modern audiences. The game’s blend of hack-and-slash combat, Metroidvania exploration, and puzzle-solving remains as engaging as ever, and its narrative and artistic achievements continue to impress.

For fans of the original Darksiders, the Warmastered Edition offers a chance to revisit a beloved classic with improved visuals and performance. For newcomers, it provides an opportunity to experience a unique and innovative action-adventure title that has stood the test of time. While it may not be perfect, Darksiders: Warmastered Edition is a worthy addition to any gamer’s library, offering a rich and immersive experience that is well worth the investment.

Final Verdict: 8.5/10

Darksiders: Warmastered Edition is a polished and visually impressive remaster that successfully reintroduces a cult classic to modern audiences. While it does little to address the original game’s flaws, its enhanced visuals and performance make it a worthwhile experience for both fans and newcomers alike.