Dark Messiah of Might and Magic

 PC
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1235 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,048 out of 1235
  2. Mixed: 118 out of 1235
  3. Negative: 69 out of 1235
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  1. JesseK.
    Feb 26, 2008
    10
    Dark Messiah is one of the best first person games I have ever played I love the online play and the cool traps you can set-off.
  2. JackH.
    Mar 21, 2008
    10
    it dont get what all of you are talking about my computer is 2 years old and i can run it fine. anyway i think its a fantastic game with great graphics (to lower the amount of lag just turn down anistropic to the lowest)
  3. KillianG.
    Apr 23, 2008
    8
    The game could be a tad more generous in doling out Skill Point rewards, to balance out combat. I'm a little disappointed at the lack of baddie variety.
  4. PeteM.
    Jun 14, 2008
    9
    The game is brilliant, although the end was so fast, I was just expecting a little longer gameplay towards the end, I almost began thinking if I missed something. The graphics are OK, no Crysis, but what would you expect from a game that has been released for a while already. Gameplay is always above Graphics for me. Although I hear loads of complains about bugs, the retail copy did not The game is brilliant, although the end was so fast, I was just expecting a little longer gameplay towards the end, I almost began thinking if I missed something. The graphics are OK, no Crysis, but what would you expect from a game that has been released for a while already. Gameplay is always above Graphics for me. Although I hear loads of complains about bugs, the retail copy did not contain any bugs to me. I bought it the first day it was released, so I have the same game everyone calls buggy. The Sounds were nice, sometimes a little jumpy... But good non the less. The Story was nothing epic, but it did keep me playing, something most games can't do. I ditched Crysis after 2 minutes, and the same happens to most games. Overall, I rate the game 9. Its Good, but its ending is way to sudden.… Expand
  5. JonasK.
    Jun 15, 2008
    10
    This game is just great its the perfect game! The gameplay, the kick, the spells. Everything its just great!
  6. DuncanR
    Jun 17, 2008
    8
    I love this game for Its unique, Direct action. You just get Trown in to the action. The story was quite... well ..... Meh. thats it: Meh. The Multiplayer Was a tad unbalanced, but once you know the weaknesses of each class (wich arent that obvious) The multiplayer is fine. I want to give it a 10, but i just cant. The stoy, the complete uselessnes of the bow..... so..... AN 8!
  7. AndrewM
    Jun 28, 2008
    9
    I really did like this game. You can figure out where the story is going before the second level is over. There are a few minor bugs. Overall though it was a great game. The combat is fun. The levels are well made. The slight RPG elements make it worth more. The multiplayer is rather meh until you get used to it in which case it can be fun. I recommend this game highly, and even a I really did like this game. You can figure out where the story is going before the second level is over. There are a few minor bugs. Overall though it was a great game. The combat is fun. The levels are well made. The slight RPG elements make it worth more. The multiplayer is rather meh until you get used to it in which case it can be fun. I recommend this game highly, and even a hardcore fps fan can enjoy this one.… Expand
  8. El_BertotheMexican
    Nov 12, 2009
    10
    Excelent game! Great firstperson hack & slash now that the bugs have been taken out. But Hexen 3 as title is more fitting ;)
  9. NeilG
    Nov 9, 2009
    9
    This must be one of the most underrated games ever. I loved it and hope against hope that there will be a sequel. Yes it's buggy and has a slightly not-quite-finished feel to it, but get the patch and enjoy the fast, fluid combat action. There are so many possible ways to bump off your enemies in this game that I just keep coming back to it. Ok, it's a little contrived in places This must be one of the most underrated games ever. I loved it and hope against hope that there will be a sequel. Yes it's buggy and has a slightly not-quite-finished feel to it, but get the patch and enjoy the fast, fluid combat action. There are so many possible ways to bump off your enemies in this game that I just keep coming back to it. Ok, it's a little contrived in places - a spiky railing to kick your foe onto, or a precariously positioned set of barrels to crush him under is never far away. But what the hell? Suspend your disbelief and you'll get hours of funny from the sheer range of ways to kill people. The different plotline decisions keep things interesting too. I bought this game for 97p in a post-Christmas sale. And it was the best 97p I ever spent.… Expand
  10. JohnS
    Dec 4, 2009
    10
    Great SIngleplayer, very solid and balanced Multiplayer. Amazing game!
  11. dbonedbone
    Dec 8, 2009
    10
    One of the best games i have ever played, i dont understand why some people rate it so low. I just hope they make a nr 2.
  12. NathanP.
    Nov 11, 2006
    7
    The physical game play is great, but there is quite limited spell/skill selection, and only a spattering of different items. I think I was expecting more complex choice of skills/spells and alot more variety of items.
  13. Skullboy
    Nov 12, 2006
    6
    Really bad launch. Should have been tested more before release. Graphics are nice and certain things you can do in the game will make you sit back and think to yourself. "That was cool." Keeps you playing. Not that long though. Seems to rush you through the game. Fun game. Not sure it was worth $50 bucks.
  14. RaleighL.
    Nov 12, 2006
    6
    Great game, amazing graphics, extremely fun, but it's plagued by glitches and crashing that should've been fixed before releases. Having a game that crashes EVERY SINGLE TIME I play it really takes away from the experience.
  15. mikematrix
    Nov 12, 2006
    5
    as a might and magic game it sucks balls though id compare it to games such as thief cuz this is not might and magic ubi soft has raped the game all the hell what were they thinking this game should be called might or magic or at least a spin off of the clasic game not this joke though the game its self is wonderfull and brings new ideas and inovation i cant help but stress this enoughas a might and magic game it sucks balls though id compare it to games such as thief cuz this is not might and magic ubi soft has raped the game all the hell what were they thinking this game should be called might or magic or at least a spin off of the clasic game not this joke though the game its self is wonderfull and brings new ideas and inovation i cant help but stress this enough this is not might and magic its a cheep rip off that has no right to have the name might and magic in its title and id love to slap the guy that called this game might and magic… Expand
  16. PhillipB.
    Nov 13, 2006
    9
    This game rocks, although intensly violent it is one of the only games that will get your adrenalin pumping and your hands tingling with excitement. Get the demo from "Steam" now and see for yourself what its all about!
  17. AaronR.
    Nov 13, 2006
    10
    This is an unreal game, flawless plot line, Source engine rules, and the gameplay is outta this world.
  18. HaploP.
    Nov 21, 2006
    9
    Very fun game - sucks you in - played it through 5 times and always found a little something I missed.
  19. JasonMelvin
    Nov 22, 2006
    9
    Other than a new huge bug I have just discovered while playing in the 7th (I think, may be 6th) chapter, that is now preventing me from playing until something gets fixed by someone (Toshiba has to release drivers for my GeForce Go 7900 GS so I can't try the BETA nVidia drivers) , this game absolutely rocks!!! I haven't had this much fun with this type of game since StonekeepOther than a new huge bug I have just discovered while playing in the 7th (I think, may be 6th) chapter, that is now preventing me from playing until something gets fixed by someone (Toshiba has to release drivers for my GeForce Go 7900 GS so I can't try the BETA nVidia drivers) , this game absolutely rocks!!! I haven't had this much fun with this type of game since Stonekeep was released years ago...… Expand
  20. ThomasG.
    Nov 24, 2006
    10
    This game has astounding graphics and has the best role-playing system i have ever seen - it almost reminds me of oblivion. I hope many people find their way to this game because it not only captivates it's players in a real world, but also does it with a really nice combat system.
  21. JamesH.
    Nov 26, 2006
    8
    This game took me awhile to get used to, but after realizing that was a Hexen or Heretic clone with MUCH better graphics, the game was actually fun. Could use a bit more work on the storyline, voice-acting, and puzzles (hence the 8).
  22. TessaiA.
    Dec 11, 2006
    10
    es un juego k para lo k e visto le pongo un 10 el doblaje al español el control del jugador los graficos esta francamente bien.
  23. HONDDRONK
    Dec 27, 2006
    10
    This is a great game! The game play and strory-line is awesome! But the best of all is the fighting, blood and slow-motion critical hits..... Overall I think this is a must have!
  24. SamM.
    Nov 13, 2007
    9
    Brilliant single player game, story line is very impressive. the only thing that lets this game down is that it does not have a decent multiplayer experience. but let that take nothing away from the single player its breathtaking at worst.
  25. KrisS.
    Dec 14, 2007
    9
    Fantasy FPS, rare, fun.
  26. DanielP
    Dec 13, 2009
    10
    Goodest game i everplayed kick people and headshot them with bows .the best part before you meet the power wizard the map before you sail to skull island. theres was a wall with a hole in i shoted on guard and the other guard where just staring in to the wall
  27. JaapL
    Dec 17, 2009
    10
    One of the best singleplayer games I played, despite the game being released to early. The close combat system is, once you get the hang of it, simply amazing. I still play it, which I can't say about most games that are as old as this one.
  28. iddqd4
    Jan 22, 2018
    8
    Качественно реализованное сражение и каст магии от первого лица, в жанре экшен. Тысяча способов убийства орков и не только. Отличная задумка, и хорошее исполнение.
  29. greenbeard
    Apr 1, 2023
    10
    Please remake. Play this game in 2006 and again 2 more times. 10/10 for 2006 standards.
  30. night4
    Feb 18, 2018
    8
    This game is a little short, but dayumn is it FUN. Which is what really matters, right?

    Considering you can get it for a very reasonable price now, I'd say "why not give it a shot?"
  31. MatikTheSeventh
    Oct 10, 2020
    8
    The game is essentially a medieval Half Life 2. There's a ton of physics experiments, and the combat feels great for a PC game. Graphics may be a little dated now, but it's still a great gaming experience.
  32. res0nancer
    Jun 5, 2023
    7
    В свое время производила большое впечатление и проходилась не без интереса. Перепройдя сейчас, конечно, не так хорошо сохранилась, но не сказать, что удовольствие не было получено. Вариативный геймплей, с некоторыми взаимосвязанными механиками, создающими уникальные ситуации.В свое время производила большое впечатление и проходилась не без интереса. Перепройдя сейчас, конечно, не так хорошо сохранилась, но не сказать, что удовольствие не было получено. Вариативный геймплей, с некоторыми взаимосвязанными механиками, создающими уникальные ситуации.
  33. hileger
    Dec 3, 2022
    8
    блять обожаю эту игру ,Arkane Studios столько лет классно делает игры а вы пидоры не цените дальше аебашьте в соевую фифу и колду
  34. Devastator1988
    Jul 18, 2022
    7
    The varied gameplay with lots of mechanics and the ways to defeat the opponents. But the controls are guffy sometimes.
  35. Nick7000
    Mar 9, 2023
    9
    Это прям секс, а не игра. Великолепная работа, проделанная в те времена, когда Юбисофт еще понимали, что делают. Не перестану ей восхищаться.
  36. KolesAdlerov
    Dec 3, 2022
    9
    A Thief-inspired M&M sandbox with legs and kicks! Must play!

    Gameplay:
    combat mechanics 10/10
    stealth (with powers) 8/10
    atmosphere (House of Ashes and some of crypts only) 7/10
    Gameplay as RPG & im.sim: 8/10

    Story 6/10

    Graphics [best first-person ever made] 9/10

    Sounds & music 7/10
    [good RU localization]

    .
    The second best gameplay on Source after Black-Mesa.
  37. Izoeros
    Aug 27, 2022
    5
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  38. The_D4RknesS
    Apr 26, 2023
    8
    I only give this game an 8 because of the loading that takes a long time If it wasn't 10, other than that the game has great combat and physics of the environments, and for nothing it was produced in the same engine as half life 2
  39. DarkRebo
    Feb 6, 2023
    9
    It's 2023, I played this game for the first time, it's just great, I couldn't tear myself away from the screen. It's way better than those new games.
  40. PenetratorGod
    Aug 20, 2023
    7
    It's still successful for its time and for today. The best parts of the game are the gameplay mechanics, but the rest is pretty average. It can give you 8-10 hours of fun if you give it a chance.
  41. LT_Gruber
    Jan 10, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Very hard but amazing game with a lot of realism.

    Dark Messiah of Might and Magic is a unique experience. It shares story and characters from the Heroes of Might and Magic series but is a completely standalone game with a surprisingly good story, solid mechanics and an unforgiving difficulty.

    In Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, you are an apprentice called Sarteh, trained by a master magician named Phenrig, trained in the arts of combat and magic. You complete your training and need to go to an expedition to the city of Stonehelm. Your master plants a spirit inside your head named Xana, who guides you on your travels.

    You need to search for the Skull of Shadows, an artifact that your master Phenrig and his buddy Menelag, lord of Stonhelm want you find. You eventually meet Leanna, a chick that helps you on your journey.

    You learn that Xana is actually a demon that possesses you and besides finding and destroying Arantir, you need to banish her from your system, what you eventually do. Then you take the fight to Arantir, getting hindered by Orcs, Goblins and a Pao Kai in the process. You dispose of the Orc war chief and start your battle with Arantir. After defeating him, you decide the final fate of the Skull of Shadows, spawning one of the four different endings the game offers.

    You can earn skill points in combat to improve your skill tree. There is no bound class for you to master so you are free to spend your points however you want. However, you need to think about the feats and skills you want to master because “a little bit of everything” is not going to work out for this game.

    For the time, I thought (and still think) that Dark Messiah of Might and Magic is one of the best-looking games out there. I was stunned by its realistic graphics, its animations, the view bobbing of the main characters, the fact that you could see your own feet and limbs and the incredible detail of the environments. Even today, this game looks like it is just four years old or something, but it is actually almost thirteen years. The enemies look horrifying and very detailed, and the overall tint is colorful but very grim at the same time. A unique combination.

    The music has that typical Heroes of Might and Magic vibe and never fails to impress when in combat, running away from hordes of zombies or when fighting epic bosses. The sound effects are solid, and this is one of the games in my personal top ten when it comes to sound. The *kling* sound of the swords, the impact of your kicks, the footsteps, the magic attacks, the sounds and speech of enemies, it is all just perfect.

    The controls work fine but because of the realism this game offers in movement and platforming, it can be a little stiff and clunky sometimes. Jumps need to be perfect, and your range is limited. It takes some time to master but when you do, it could just as well be a VR game.

    The combat mechanics and style of fighting in Dark Messiah of Might and Magic is also really unique and still one of the most realistic feeling out there. You can block, dodge, kick and really need to get control of the situation. Mainly because of the outstanding AI that enemies use, in which they can outsmart you easily, drive you into a corner or simply land a hit on you before you got time to figure out what they are going to do. You can also interact with the environment, kicking enemies in spikes for example or smashing them off ledges. It feels so epic and satisfying when you nail an Orc to the spike wall behind him and overall, I think it is perfection. The enemies are almost human players in their actions and behavior and to this day, I believe it is one of the best and most realistic combat experiences I have ever played.

    The realism in combat, movement and platforming makes this game also really, really hard. The whole game has a vibe of danger, helplessness and caution over it. You cannot rush towards your goal and hope for the best, every step can be a trap, an enemy lurking around the corner or a jump that you need to plan carefully. I also thought this game had a very grim atmosphere. Your character Sareth is really cautious and overall, not that positive about the events around him and because this is one of the few games that let you bond automatically with the fate of the main character, you can feel his questions and cautious behavior too. It is a little hard to explain.

    In conclusion, I thought Dark Messiah of Might and Magic was an amazing game that came out of the blue and it still a unique specimen in the Might and Magic series and games in general. It is hard as the seventh layer of hell but well worth it in the end.

    Definitely recommend this awesome game.    … Expand
  42. farrrullll
    Jan 27, 2023
    8
    Dark Messiah Dark Messiah Dark Messiah Dark Messiah Dark Messiah Dark Messiah
  43. kalkaloeb
    Aug 5, 2023
    3
    Игра отвратительна. Ужасное управление, и из-за этого хуевая боёвка. Отвратные-темные локации где в перемешку с полной темнотой видны очаги света которые мешают нормально пользоваться ночным видением.Противники наносят урон даже тогда когда я стою от них на 5 метров. Игра кал, который не заслуживает прохожденияИгра отвратительна. Ужасное управление, и из-за этого хуевая боёвка. Отвратные-темные локации где в перемешку с полной темнотой видны очаги света которые мешают нормально пользоваться ночным видением.Противники наносят урон даже тогда когда я стою от них на 5 метров. Игра кал, который не заслуживает прохождения
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Awards & Rankings

91
#91 Best PC Game of 2006
4
#4 Most Discussed PC Game of 2006
17
#17 Most Shared PC Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 44
  3. Negative: 2 out of 44
  1. PC Gamer UK
    88
    There's really nothing that can match Dark Messiah's combat. The mixture of weaponry and convincingly cause-and-effect physics really does take first-person fighting to new places. [Nov 2006, p.62]
  2. PC Zone UK
    84
    If the game suffers, it's from over-explanation, the occasional lapse in the combat, and the repetitive nature of the environmental weaponry. But I was kept entertained all the way through, and I've never felt so directy responsible for chopping off a goblin's arm. [Dec 2006, p.70]
    Read full review
  3. PC Format
    88
    An outstanding experience. It manages to create a constant sense of threat, includes some stunning set-pieces, and introduces a cast of breathtaking beasts, all within a combat system that is one of the most versatile and violent we have ever seen. [Dec 2006, p.98]
See all critic reviews »