Is there a better way to spend this Valentine’s Day than in the company of the four horsemen? Well, only two of them, actually, but that should still suffice. Following the game’s release on PC and Stadia back in December, Darksiders Genesis is now also available for purchase on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Switch.
Darksiders 3, the series’ previous entry, delivered an average hack-and-slash experience and left many, myself included, rather disappointed. Due to its unusually high difficulty, the lack of memorable characters or environments, as well as numerous bugs, it didn’t live up to the standards of the first two games. And the needless attempt to replicate mechanics from another franchise with the name “Dark” in it, was also questionable.
However, unlike its predecessors, Darksiders Genesis places a fresh take on the franchise by introducing a new top-down perspective on its traditional hack-and-slash puzzler gameplay. Those who have played the Lara Croft spin-off games, such as The Guardian of Light, will feel right at home. And not only that, but for the first time ever, players are able to solve puzzles and engage in combat cooperatively.
With Strife and War in the spotlight, Darksiders Genesis takes place before the events in the first game; before War is subdued and placed into shackles. Playing alone, you’ll constantly switch between Strife and War to take advantage of their unique abilities, whether to solve a puzzle or challenge a huge boss. However, for the first time, two players can pick between both characters and play cooperatively, either online or off.
Albeit not a mainline entry, Genesis features the same signature humour of the series. It also sheds more light on the backstory and relationship between Strife and War. Wielding a giant sword, War remains true to his playstyle in the first game. And Strife is pretty much a Darksiders version of Deadpool, as evident in the trailer down below.
Darksiders Genesis launches at an affordable price of £32.99 or £34.99 for a physical copy. Collectors may want to consider getting the Collector’s Edition which includes a figurine of Strife equipped with his signature guns. And if you’re made out of money, by all means, get yourself the Nephilim Edition for a hefty £349.99. This edition comes with its own board game and a set of figurines featuring characters from the game.
Whichever version you choose, predominantly positive reviews on PC and Stadia mean that console players (most likely) don’t have to worry about being disappointed. But if you’re still on the fence, then you should be hitting up our full review.
Game Description:
Unusually high difficulty? Git gut loser