Darksiders III
" Engaging action-adventure RPG with varied combat and exploration but stiff controls and camera issues "
Darksiders III Review
Darksiders III offers a unique blend of hack-and-slash and Souls-like gameplay, with a strong Metroidvania structure that encourages exploration and backtracking. Players control Fury, a fiery and confident Horsewoman tasked with hunting down the Seven Deadly Sins, which provides a personal and character-driven narrative arc. The game features impressive graphics and voice acting, notably by Cissy Jones, and a detailed, atmospheric world that continues the series' distinct aesthetic.
However, the game has mixed reception regarding its difficulty and combat mechanics. While some enjoy the challenge and deliberate pacing, others find the combat frustrating due to stiff controls, inconsistent difficulty spikes, and camera issues. Technical performance problems, especially on PC, and a lack of certain quality-of-life features like a minimap and horse riding have also been noted. Despite these flaws, many players find it a worthwhile experience, especially fans of the franchise or those seeking a challenging action game with a strong narrative.
Highlights
Players praise the game's engaging combat system that combines hack-and-slash with Souls-like elements, offering two distinct combat modes to suit different playstyles.
The Metroidvania level design is well-received, encouraging exploration and skill-based progression through revisiting areas with new abilities.
Graphics and voice acting stand out positively, with detailed environments and strong character performances enhancing the immersive story.
Fury's character development and the personal, emotional storyline add depth to the game, making it more than just a typical action title.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include frustrating combat mechanics, such as stiff controls, locked animations during healing, and inconsistent enemy attack patterns that can feel unfair.
Camera control issues and the absence of a lock-on system during fights hinder combat fluidity.
Technical problems, especially unstable frame rates on PC, detract from the experience.
Players note a lack of polish in level design, repetitive enemy placements, and insufficient save points.
The story, while personal, is sometimes seen as underdeveloped or less engaging compared to previous entries, and Fury's personality divides opinion.
Pros
- • Engaging combat blending hack-and-slash with Souls-like mechanics for varied gameplay.
- • Metroidvania-style level design encourages exploration and revisiting areas with new skills.
- • Strong voice acting enhances character depth and story immersion.
- • Detailed and atmospheric graphics maintain the series' unique aesthetic.
- • Character-driven narrative adds emotional depth to the gameplay experience.
- • Two combat modes allow players to tailor difficulty and style.
- • Fury's elemental powers provide fun and diverse combat options.
Cons
- • Stiff controls and locked animations disrupt combat flow and responsiveness.
- • Camera issues and lack of enemy lock-on frustrate combat encounters.
- • Unstable PC performance with frequent frame rate drops and stuttering.
- • Repetitive enemy placements and questionable mob distributions reduce engagement.
- • Insufficient save points lead to frustrating difficulty spikes.
- • Difficulty spikes and enemy attack timings can feel unfair and tedious.
- • Absence of horse riding removes mobility options from the series.
Rating Criteria
Return to an apocalyptic Earth in Darksiders III, a hack-n-slash Action Adventure where players assume the role of FURY in her quest to hunt down and dispose of the Seven Deadly Sins. The most enigmatic of the Four Horsemen, FURY must bring balance to the forces that now ravage Earth.
