Darkfall Online

 PC
User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 317 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 200 out of 317
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 317
  3. Negative: 87 out of 317

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  1. Hudson
    Nov 9, 2010
    3
    Now, for why Darkfall sucks.

    I'm going to discuss these topics: PvE and Quests Content PvP Progression Lets begin! PvE and Quests I am sure I don't have to explain quests in Darkfall. They are generic quests you'd see in an Asian MMORPG. Kill this many mobs, collect this many resources, time limit quests. Not very unique and noone really cares about quests do they? So it would be    Now, for why Darkfall sucks.

    I'm going to discuss these topics:

    PvE and Quests
    Content
    PvP
    Progression

    Lets begin!

    PvE and Quests

    I am sure I don't have to explain quests in Darkfall. They are generic quests you'd see in an Asian MMORPG. Kill this many mobs, collect this many resources, time limit quests. Not very unique and noone really cares about quests do they? So it would be unfair for me to rate the game based on a flawed mechanic in MMORPGS.

    PvE is also a bit uninteresting. There are no strategies or technique to kill mobs except exploit them if they are too tough or round up some friends to take it on. But who cares about PvE?

    Content

    By content, I mean what you can do in the game. So Darkfall is a Free for All Full Loot PVP game where anyone can kill anyone. Sounds cool, but where are you going to find anyone that isn't protected by Guard Towers or macroing in Guild Cities.

    You can find the occasional harvesters but it's not fun killing people that are defenseless. Sure it's rewarding and theres nothing wrong with it but I want to be able to compete vs others.

    Now that brings me to my next point. Where the **** is everyone? I can ride around the damn world without finding one damn person. Everyone is so damn concentrated. It's impossible to solo without resorting to constant naked raids in guild cities stealing mounts and killing afk macros for reagents and arrows (profitable, but boring).

    You can ditch the PvP and try crafting. I do like the concept of crafting and how you can make the best equipment compared vs PvE. Sadly for me it takes eternity to get the materials to craft. It also takes eternity to skill up high enough where you don't fail and waste your reagents on something you really want.

    Now you say, why don't you join a guild and do sieges?

    Because I have to pay taxes. Taxes is what guilds use to build up there city. Which is understandable. But since it takes so damn long to get resources that I would be spending my entire time to harvest to pay some Roleplaying overlord his damn money.

    So for content. The world is big, but not populated. You can only pvp with fun if your in a guild but you have to pay taxes. Loving it.

    PvP

    Now heres something that matters. PvP. Competition. Whos better then the other is boiled down to 1v1 duels. Who can outplay the other?

    Not in Darkfall.

    Character Skill surpasses any Player Skill unless your like Slayers_boxerS (if you don't know him your obviously an mmorpg noob that doesn't play actual quality games or genres).

    Lets over simplify Character Skill vs Player Skill

    Character Skill Advantages: More damage, Less damage taken, More health, More Stamina, More HP regen, More Stamina Regen, More skills to assist you (whirlwind, power thrust, magic)

    Player Skill Advantages: More hits on the other, Less hits on you, Better stamina management, Better movement, Smarter Decisions.

    Now, what everyone (including myself) would say Player Skill would demolish the MMORPG grinding noob. Except the gains and skills you "earn" (grind and afk macroing) are much too massive. It also doesn't help that Darkfalls Combat System is much much too easy. So the MMORPG grinding noob has as much capability as you do because the game just blatantly doesnt have enough room for skill to completely outplay everyone.

    Compare the combat in Darkfall to FPS games such as Savage 2(infinite ways to outplay multiple opponents and single enemies), Team Fortress 2 (1 scout vs 2 scout is only winnable by only the best of scouts) CoD4(1v10 is possible with smarts, clutches, and skill)
    Darkfall is too archaic to have any impressive outplays. You move too slow when you move backwards and 50% slower when moving to the sides. So you might as well tape down W and expose your back sometimes to outmanuever yoru opponent. It's just Character Skills that matter in this game, the Combat is just too simple. One last note for PvP. Stamina is so poorly done in this game. Stamina is usually implemented to avoid spamming hits or abusing sprint. But in this game if you run out of stam you are ****ED. Whenever you get hit you lose stamina so you cant tank or walk dodge your way to enough stamina to finish him off. The stamina system in this game just doesn't promote skill. Progression Not much too say. Skilling up is excruciatingly slow and boring. You may say, If you want to be a Fire Mage then use Fire Magic. Except you need to be extremely rich and grind reagents all day and then macro for 1 week to get enough Fire Magic to be useful. Now Darkfall is a game where if you don't like being one thing, you can switch to the other. But do you really want to go through the system again? Once you specialize your that class until you die of Grind Boredom. Don't you dare say you don't need to Macro or Grind in this game.    … Expand
  2. JargoM
    Nov 12, 2009
    3
    Great concept that had me eager for years but was poorly implemented and policing was even poorer. Wandering the world I found many people who didn't respond to anything... just fired spells into space until you killed them. This quickly lead to people who were obscenely powerful just days after the game came out, keeping down players who weren't them. The botting killed this Great concept that had me eager for years but was poorly implemented and policing was even poorer. Wandering the world I found many people who didn't respond to anything... just fired spells into space until you killed them. This quickly lead to people who were obscenely powerful just days after the game came out, keeping down players who weren't them. The botting killed this game for me within a week.… Expand
  3. JakeH
    May 7, 2009
    0
    Not really a good game to play overall. The PvE doesn't meet todays standards, the PvP is ok but isn't what it should be (spam mouse1 and circle a player?), the crafting system is basically stand at a tree for an hour, you say that for just about every single skill in the game too, and the world is just empty as can be of life.
  4. BrandonW
    May 7, 2009
    3
    This game is not worth a monthly subscription of ANY amount, and certainly not worth $52 or so to buy. While it is clearly a labor of love (The entire world is hand-made, and detailed), it doesn't save itself from a sloppy interface, cumbersome controls and a community about as welcoming and helpful as a pit of snakes. While things do get better many hours into the game when you get This game is not worth a monthly subscription of ANY amount, and certainly not worth $52 or so to buy. While it is clearly a labor of love (The entire world is hand-made, and detailed), it doesn't save itself from a sloppy interface, cumbersome controls and a community about as welcoming and helpful as a pit of snakes. While things do get better many hours into the game when you get a better handle on what's going on, they only become tolerable, not good. Avoid this one.… Expand
  5. jb
    Aug 13, 2009
    0
    Summarized nicely by users Marcus J and H S. My problems are antiquated graphics, no 64 bit platform support, shoddy animations, unbalanced magic classes, a grind that would give EvE a run for its money, worst customer relations for any mmo * a month without a new update for example *, inane travel options with nothing to bridge the world together, pointless ship mechanics, pointless Summarized nicely by users Marcus J and H S. My problems are antiquated graphics, no 64 bit platform support, shoddy animations, unbalanced magic classes, a grind that would give EvE a run for its money, worst customer relations for any mmo * a month without a new update for example *, inane travel options with nothing to bridge the world together, pointless ship mechanics, pointless personal housing, and a quickly fading server population in short are all the problems with this below-mediocre game. Good luck staying afloat Aventurine you will certainly need it.… Expand
  6. Itchy
    May 7, 2009
    0
    This is truly one of the worst MMO's you could play, having played/endured it for 2 months in the hope it might get some content/gameplay added, I would highly recommend saving your money wait for some true reviews to appear (not the user vote spamming from DFO forum Fanboys on here in order to falsify the score) or just skip it altogether and wait for Mortal Online or something.
  7. Max
    May 7, 2009
    2
    Game which has no redeeming features aside form full loot and world pvp. It sports one of the most horrible skills and resources grinds, one the most broken and incomplete UI on top of very laggy and often crashing servers. I do not even mention the non existent content. Awfull combat and skill system which has no room for variety or skill Only good quality is world which is interesting Game which has no redeeming features aside form full loot and world pvp. It sports one of the most horrible skills and resources grinds, one the most broken and incomplete UI on top of very laggy and often crashing servers. I do not even mention the non existent content. Awfull combat and skill system which has no room for variety or skill Only good quality is world which is interesting to explore.… Expand
  8. SteveL
    May 8, 2009
    2
    This game is not for you. I'm not sure who it is for, but it is not for you. This is made clear by the devs who have make it virtually impossible to actually buy the game. Mechanics are dated and clunky. Graphics are dated. The artwork is generic fantasy fluff. Bah! Beta was enough for me.
  9. KuppanenD
    Dec 30, 2009
    3
    Darkfall, the best concept ever created but to be honest, it had the worst pvp ever. No skill cap, makes the game unfriendly for anyone who starts the game now. Ridiculous grind in everyway. The only really good things in DFO was somewhat beatiful world and I really liked the pve.
  10. snxxsir
    May 10, 2009
    1
    It's a game filled with badly designed systems trying to pass out as a "hardcore tittle for hardcore public". You really have to be hardcore to enjoy Darkfall, S&M hardcore.
  11. JR
    May 16, 2009
    2
    +2 for somewhat exciting small-scale skirmishes between groups of players. -8 for everything else. Graphics would have been acceptable 5 years ago, not today. User interface is the worst I've seen in any game, and after 2 months of playing, fumbling around with switching/unsheathing weapons remains frustrating. While it is technically possible to play solo, the risks and difficulty +2 for somewhat exciting small-scale skirmishes between groups of players. -8 for everything else. Graphics would have been acceptable 5 years ago, not today. User interface is the worst I've seen in any game, and after 2 months of playing, fumbling around with switching/unsheathing weapons remains frustrating. While it is technically possible to play solo, the risks and difficulty and lack of fun doing so FAR outweigh any sort of benefit. City design is terrible. Enemies were able to breach my clan city's walls in numerous places. Flame thrower defenses were positioned poorly and could not hit the path leading to our gate it was meant to protect. In short, the entire game feels like it was designed by amateurs... Amateurs bad at making good decisions.… Expand
  12. NicC
    May 8, 2009
    1
    I agree with the Eurogamer review, but only in so much as the instabilities allowed to actually play it. The review however makes no mention of the sheer potential of the depth the game offers. Given another two years of development, it is clear to see that it could easily be one of the most complex and rivetting MMO's available. But today, tomorrow and the day after, it's just I agree with the Eurogamer review, but only in so much as the instabilities allowed to actually play it. The review however makes no mention of the sheer potential of the depth the game offers. Given another two years of development, it is clear to see that it could easily be one of the most complex and rivetting MMO's available. But today, tomorrow and the day after, it's just a joke of a product.… Expand
  13. MarcusJ
    Jun 10, 2009
    3
    Darkfall is a game which I waited for with much anticipation for about 9 months. After furiously refreshing the accounts page and getting into the game early it quickly became apparent that the discontent voiced by most of the Beta testers was well founded. The combat system is dull and clunky, instead of using a system where and ability can be used instantly by pressing the hotkey, Darkfall is a game which I waited for with much anticipation for about 9 months. After furiously refreshing the accounts page and getting into the game early it quickly became apparent that the discontent voiced by most of the Beta testers was well founded. The combat system is dull and clunky, instead of using a system where and ability can be used instantly by pressing the hotkey, abilities have to be 'pre loaded' and then used. This awkward system forces the use of macros to speed up combat. A serious lack of variety of abilities means that players usually end up in a circle strafe spamming their mouse buttons. The game world is huge and well made, but it's content feels rushed (it is almost completely empty). In short, if you are the type of player that enjoys a game where individual player skill, reaction times, aiming and strategy really matter I could not recommend Darkfall, however if you want a large scale guild orientated pvp mmorpg then Darkfall may be for you. For me, the game should have had at least 6 months more development before release, maybe more. And it is hard for me to believe that after 7 years of work on part of the developers this is all they came up with.… Expand
  14. CelesteL
    May 13, 2009
    1
    I played this game for a few weeks, hoping that it would be this generation's Ultima Online. I find the WoW model of MMOs to be too fluffy, too restrictive, and too raid/PvE based for my tastes, and was looking forward to a game that allows the player base to shape the course of the game. The sad reality is that Darkfall is not that game. Every MMO has its technical issues when it I played this game for a few weeks, hoping that it would be this generation's Ultima Online. I find the WoW model of MMOs to be too fluffy, too restrictive, and too raid/PvE based for my tastes, and was looking forward to a game that allows the player base to shape the course of the game. The sad reality is that Darkfall is not that game. Every MMO has its technical issues when it comes to server stability, but the issues with DFO run deeper than that. I would happily sacrifice WoW's level of polish for a proper sandbox MMO, but Darkfall isn't an unpolished gem - it plays as just as shoddy as it looks, more like a pre-dev project than a finished product. Hugely disappointing.… Expand
  15. Z
    May 14, 2009
    0
    Starting with the outdated website to purchase the game to the poorly written code, this game is hands down the worst MMO to hit the market since D&L. Community is mostly made of hardcore wannabes and macro users. Dont waste your cash on this one, take that $50 bill and blow your nose with it, at lest you will get some use out of it. Eurogamers review was generous IMO. STAY AWAY, Nothing Starting with the outdated website to purchase the game to the poorly written code, this game is hands down the worst MMO to hit the market since D&L. Community is mostly made of hardcore wannabes and macro users. Dont waste your cash on this one, take that $50 bill and blow your nose with it, at lest you will get some use out of it. Eurogamers review was generous IMO. STAY AWAY, Nothing to see here folks.… Expand
  16. gs
    May 15, 2009
    0
    Bad designed, no content, hackers, macroing everywhere, skill system is a infinite non-fun grind, loot system exploited by naked zergs, melee combat simple and unfun, no customisation, hard as hell to buy, way to expensive for so low amount of content and quality, anoying UI, lag on big fights, bugs, exploits, skills give a huge advantage ad all the people that eploited the new rape the Bad designed, no content, hackers, macroing everywhere, skill system is a infinite non-fun grind, loot system exploited by naked zergs, melee combat simple and unfun, no customisation, hard as hell to buy, way to expensive for so low amount of content and quality, anoying UI, lag on big fights, bugs, exploits, skills give a huge advantage ad all the people that eploited the new rape the new players same thing happens with the macroers. You cant solo play you have to join a big clan or else you get destroyed. You have to macro or everyone else and his mother will kill you because of the great advantage skill gives. Worst MMORPG i was ever since the realise was the worst and the game lacks everything that a MMORPG is. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.… Expand
  17. samw
    May 6, 2009
    0
    Half developed pile of crap. Not ready for release and probably just short few months until it closes. Worst community of inbred degenerates on the internet. If we ordered the userbase of DF to death it would only improve our gene pool.
  18. HolgarC
    May 6, 2009
    2
    We have seen unfinished or broken games released on the market over the last 7-8 years, but we have never seen one this broken and this unfinished. Worst part is the lead Developer THINKS his product is top quality, when the game is rudementary in all aspects. The FPS element of the game is a joke. It cannot even compete with 5 year old FPS games and there is absolutly no real mmorpg We have seen unfinished or broken games released on the market over the last 7-8 years, but we have never seen one this broken and this unfinished. Worst part is the lead Developer THINKS his product is top quality, when the game is rudementary in all aspects. The FPS element of the game is a joke. It cannot even compete with 5 year old FPS games and there is absolutly no real mmorpg elements in the game. They are just shells of what one would normally expect.… Expand
  19. HS
    Jun 8, 2009
    0
    A fantastic game on paper but any enjoyment is quickly drained by bad controls, bugs, an empty world, shallow gameplay, exploiters and an unhelpful community.
  20. StefA
    Aug 3, 2009
    1
    Brutal. UI is like something from a Quake 1 mod. Combat is dance of bunny hoping, and macro run scripts. World is totally barren and bland with zero atmosphere. Only thing it has going is its "sandbox" feel. Im a hardcore UO vet, and this game looks like it came out about 5 months after UO. Pure trash,
  21. DB
    May 11, 2009
    0
    I have played almost all the major MMORPG's since 1998, and I have to say that after trying to get on with this for a week, it's absolutely appalling - it's like an amatuer attempt at writing an online game. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
  22. JT
    May 14, 2009
    1
    I have been playing DFO for a week and I can say it is possibly the worst designed game I can recall. Totally full of bugs, glitches, hackers, afk macroers, & LAG,LAG,LAG! Total amateur job.
  23. RickT
    May 14, 2009
    0
    Pong with a new skin and you get the depth of gameplay in Darkfall. Grinding endlessly is the only way to compete. I am trying to get my euros back but their customer service is non-existent, like the fun in darkfall.
  24. JoshE
    May 8, 2009
    2
    I have played this game quite a bit, hoping the entire time that it would live up to what was promised if I just played a little more and explored. It did not. There are many, many features that these developers said were already in the game that were nowhere to be found, and there is no evidence to suggest that they ever existed at all. The combat is poorly implemented and uninspiring. I have played this game quite a bit, hoping the entire time that it would live up to what was promised if I just played a little more and explored. It did not. There are many, many features that these developers said were already in the game that were nowhere to be found, and there is no evidence to suggest that they ever existed at all. The combat is poorly implemented and uninspiring. It has a somewhat FPS feel to it, but the controls are both sluggish and too responsive at the same time. Players can turn on a dime as fast as they can move their mouse, and it makes combat less skilled and more random. The quest system is utter garbage. Every single one I found was a lame kill task. The cities are nearly devoid of NPC's. The world itself has planty of attractive visuals, but unfortunately it is empty and often doesn't make sense. There are buildings and interesting things all over the place without any reason for being there, and with no monsters or other inhabitants. You can run for 15 minute stretches at a time without encountering another palyer or an NPC. You will encounter lots of resource nodes, however. Movement from place to place is just plain awful. If you have a job, you'd better cash in your vacation time if you want to go anywhere in this game. It is simply the worst travel system I have ever seen in any MMO. The monster AI is a complete mess. The mobs use the same tactics over and over, not too different from other MMO's, but in this case it is simply annoying. This is easily remedied by just glitching the mobs and then farming to your hearts content. The vaunted siege system is just utter garbage. The towns themselves are cookie-cutter things that have really no customization ability. I could go on, but all in all this game was crap. If this is what these people have to show for 8 odd years of development, then they deserve to go out of business. Avoid it at all cost, it is a waste of time and money.… Expand
  25. PhilD
    May 8, 2009
    0
    I played the free trial of this game. Even after release many of the bugs during this period were still around. This is by far one of the worst games I have played. It's subpar in almost every respect and should be avoided at all costs. I think it's great the developers tried to break off from the normal. However, this was clearly a mistake on there part if they are I played the free trial of this game. Even after release many of the bugs during this period were still around. This is by far one of the worst games I have played. It's subpar in almost every respect and should be avoided at all costs. I think it's great the developers tried to break off from the normal. However, this was clearly a mistake on there part if they are inexperienced or cannot provide even basics and depth to the entire game. From horrible bugs to patches that cause problems to the point a server wipe is neede darkfall has them all!… Expand
  26. bobsimms
    May 8, 2009
    2
    This is a game liveing in the past its got pvp with very bad systems the same sytem a game made 10 years ago uses! ui is very very bad! very buggy game and a hell of alot of hackers in game also the only way to buy this game is through a forum post!
  27. RobertL
    Jul 15, 2009
    0
    unfinished, horrifically bad controls, nightmarish website and billing setup, and very poor customer service. Gameplay is clunky and the information available is very missleading.
  28. DJ
    May 19, 2009
    2
    Macroing, hate it personally. Bunny hopping, strafing, hit your pals in the back. Most definitely not the game for me. Another in the line of games that got released a bit too early. The only positive point i can really post about the game is that the pvp is open. Enjoyable, not really...but open pvp nonetheless. I could not recommend this game to a friend with a straight face, regardless Macroing, hate it personally. Bunny hopping, strafing, hit your pals in the back. Most definitely not the game for me. Another in the line of games that got released a bit too early. The only positive point i can really post about the game is that the pvp is open. Enjoyable, not really...but open pvp nonetheless. I could not recommend this game to a friend with a straight face, regardless of how warped he might be. This game leaves most of us to continue waiting for the pvp game to scratch our itch.… Expand
  29. PatukkaM
    Aug 11, 2009
    1
    Few good ideas with poor implementing. The fact they charged U.S. players twice for the retail client is enough to convince most people of Aventurines dodgy ethics. Don't buy it, you will regret it.
  30. Paragus
    May 14, 2009
    4
    Alright here is my view after 2 weeks. At first glance I noticed the graphics weren't the best but of course as an ex-shadowbane player graphics obviously arn't the most important aspect of a game. So i roam around about 30minuts and a friend and I save some random guy from a PK, some reason he thought us two newbs could take him. I thought well that was pretty cool but then Alright here is my view after 2 weeks. At first glance I noticed the graphics weren't the best but of course as an ex-shadowbane player graphics obviously arn't the most important aspect of a game. So i roam around about 30minuts and a friend and I save some random guy from a PK, some reason he thought us two newbs could take him. I thought well that was pretty cool but then another 30minuts I found some mobs wacked them for a bit only to be PKed repeatedly by my own race. After talking with my friend we decided to stick in town and skill up on each other. After hours and hours of repeatedly hitting each other to work on skills we go back out. We had issues killing mobs due to latency issues, though at times the lag clears up. After days of wacking at warping mobs and getting mobs stuck on rocks so i could wack them easier I was starting to have fun. Of course all the major clans have ways to max their skills fast often exploiting to do so making it hard for others who don't to compete. So after my 2nd week I just started to wonder if i'd be better off playing Everquest, Asherons Call, or giving up MMOs all together since I was so dissapointed. The pvp was far from what I expected, people bunny hopping and going around in large groups ganking newbie areas. I understand its thrilling that you can be killed at any time, again pointing out that i played shadowbane since beta to its death. But its rediculous. There seems to be no real goal other than kill players in any way you can exploiting or not lag or not. As for the PVE the mobs pathing is horrid, they run around randomly when you attack them at times some times running some times charging and some times they run back and forth because they cant make up their minds. My opinion 4/10 Bottom line is......well......DFO is crap.… Expand
  31. UberWolf
    May 14, 2009
    1
    Game is designed for prepubesent nubs wilthout a life. All about grind and mindless ganking. Takes absolutely no skill, you only need to set you macro and leave to level your skills up. Waste of Cyberspace. Read Eurogamers review to get a clearer picture of DFO, their review hits the mark.
  32. SalvatoreC
    Jun 13, 2009
    4
    Great concept, but terrible overall technical realization. Graphics is good but uninspiring, animations are bad, sounds are ROFLMAO, combat system is clunky, city building is "meh", crafting is non-existant, skill system is grindy and lacking on variety.
  33. thefinn
    Sep 11, 2011
    0
    There really are no good things about this game. From the graphics to the combat, the controls, the skill system, the spells. The game is lacking in all areas. Aventurine has been building an engine that they wish to license out at some point in the future. This game is a way for them to show off what the engine can do. Nothing more.

    Do yourself a favor and skip this one. Recently they    There really are no good things about this game. From the graphics to the combat, the controls, the skill system, the spells. The game is lacking in all areas. Aventurine has been building an engine that they wish to license out at some point in the future. This game is a way for them to show off what the engine can do. Nothing more.

    Do yourself a favor and skip this one.

    Recently they announced a rewrite of the entire game system. Skills, spells, everything. Along with this could well come a wipe of all current characters. Imagine if blizzard said they were going to have a wipe tomorrow ?

    This is the Aventurine way.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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No score yet - based on 2 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 1 out of 2
  1. Eurogamer
    20
    Its skill system is like a twisted version of EVE Online's, without the intricacy or CCP's talent. Its mise-en-scène is somewhere between the grittiness of Conan and WAR's orcs and humans. Underneath the lack of originality, there's a hole where the game should be: a loose, incongruous mess of bad controls, horrible user interface, and broken combat system.
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  2. Meristation
    70
    Darkfall is definitely a good MMORPG. It's not for the new massive online game players, because the learning curve could be considered extreme and the PVP is based on the FFA loot system Ultima Online had, but hardcore players should enjoy their journey around the biggest world ever created for an MMORPG.
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