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. HaloP
    May 8, 2009
    5
    pros: - intense pvp fights - full loot - innovative use of 3d sounds - skill based character development - very unique playing experience cons: - early 2000 style graphics - crappy gui - needs lots and lots of balancing - crappy pve (few spawns, stupid ai, expoitable mobs, drops need balancing) - inadequate communication from developers, bad cs, purchasing options are still not clear, pros: - intense pvp fights - full loot - innovative use of 3d sounds - skill based character development - very unique playing experience cons: - early 2000 style graphics - crappy gui - needs lots and lots of balancing - crappy pve (few spawns, stupid ai, expoitable mobs, drops need balancing) - inadequate communication from developers, bad cs, purchasing options are still not clear, homepage does not reflect the state of the game - big skill gap between early starters and new players due to old exploits that have been fixed and balancing issues - half of the promised features are not yet implemented - game is really in a beta stage.… Expand
  2. BRuinThunderhand
    May 7, 2009
    6
    Not good enough to be anything more than a 6. The game is half-finished and needs work. If they ever deliver it will be a 9/10 in my book, but right now it's no better than a 6.
  3. GuyS
    May 7, 2009
    6
    Darkfall is a great PvP and GvG game. The player has complete freedom to play his character as he/she wishes. The lack of auto-targeting is a great enhancement to PvP MMOs increasing the player skill required to be successful. Button mashing will not win fights in DF. Bugs still need to be worked out. Game performance is increasing every patch. Overall, the game concept is a 10/10 and the Darkfall is a great PvP and GvG game. The player has complete freedom to play his character as he/she wishes. The lack of auto-targeting is a great enhancement to PvP MMOs increasing the player skill required to be successful. Button mashing will not win fights in DF. Bugs still need to be worked out. Game performance is increasing every patch. Overall, the game concept is a 10/10 and the actual mechanics just need polishing which is happening every day. As of the end of beta, Darkfall was 6/10 and improving.… Expand
  4. GameWorld
    Jan 23, 2011
    7
    Darkfall is a PvP oriented sandbox MMORPG, based in real-time combat system (like Oblivion). Developer is Aventurine S.A., a small independent greek company. The game has gone retail only in Greece, as no official publisher has announced a worldwide retail version for up to date. Thus, the game is sold online through DarkfallOnline.com.

    Basic details In Darkfall, players can choose from 6    Darkfall is a PvP oriented sandbox MMORPG, based in real-time combat system (like Oblivion). Developer is Aventurine S.A., a small independent greek company. The game has gone retail only in Greece, as no official publisher has announced a worldwide retail version for up to date. Thus, the game is sold online through DarkfallOnline.com.

    Basic details
    In Darkfall, players can choose from 6 races: Humans, Dwarves, Mirdain (Elves), Orks, Mahirims (Werewolves) and Alfars (Night Elves). The game has an open world where PvP is allowed anywhere outside NPC city limits. Graphics have a realistic appearance, with handmade buildings and beautiful looking ships. Character models lack anti-aliasing, while the sound itself is ok with some environmental sounds missing. Gameplay
    The gameplay is the strong part of the game. An open world means that you can actually move your character to dive into water or climb any mountain. Combat system is balanced, as there are no levels. Players only improve their skills from a 1-100 range. When they reach 50 and 75 in Melee and Archery masteries, they can buy new skills. Plus, when their magic skills reach 25, 50 and 75, they can unlock new magic schools and buy magic efficiency upgrades. In general, Melee, Archery and Magic combat can be combined all together as there are no limits on how to battle, cast spells or heal. Besides the open PvP, Darkfall is also a crafting based game, as all basic in-game items are crafted by players themselves. Differences between races only have to do with unique skills. For example, Dwarves can have durability bonuses to their items, Alfars and Humans can increase their maximum mana, Orks can increase their maximum health etc. A.I. of all mobs is also high, plus there are no clues of where mobs are hiding, which means players have to trust browser-based maps like the famous yourmom map (http://feylines.net/yourmom/compatible.aspx) to be able to find their desired farming spots and city locations.

    Darkfall combines three genres in one: MMORPG, First-Person Shooter and Strategy. Camera is permanently in third-person view, but it switches to first-person when a staff or bow is equipped. Strategy elements only exist in Player Cities, where Generals can build buildings, upgrade them or build cannons. Clans and Sieges
    Darkfall Online has two servers, European and US, both holding up to 10.000 players on each. There are about 100 player cities which can be captured by Clans. Sieges can take part in any time, 22 hours after the attacking clan has declared a siege. Battles are vast, with hundreads of players fighting all together. This also causes some server lag in certain areas. By collecting a vast amount of resources, players can create Ships Warhulks and Artillieries, which they can use in sieges to take advantage of their firepower. Naval battles usually take place during sieges or sea fortress sieges (Sea fortresses are captures temporarily for some days). Ships differ from small boats with 1-3 cannons, to huge frigates with dozens of cannons and floors on them. During battles, players can use cannons to fire, cast spells, swim across the enemy ship or dive and fight in the open sea.

    Closing comments
    With the largest and non-instanced world that has ever been created, Darkfall is perhaps the most competitive next-gen MMORPG. The fact that itâ    … Expand
  5. MarkW
    Nov 20, 2009
    7
    I'm tempted to give it a much lower score, but in all honesty it's a little bit below average. I followed it for 5 years, beta tested it, subscribed and then canceled after a month. The original idea was brilliant, unfortunately Aventurine and Tasos are idiots. It would have been an awesome game if they would have included 10% of what they promised, instead they released a bare I'm tempted to give it a much lower score, but in all honesty it's a little bit below average. I followed it for 5 years, beta tested it, subscribed and then canceled after a month. The original idea was brilliant, unfortunately Aventurine and Tasos are idiots. It would have been an awesome game if they would have included 10% of what they promised, instead they released a bare bones prototype and charged the highest price in mmo gaming history. In the hands of anyone but these idiots the game could have been in the top 10.… Expand
  6. GradRock
    May 7, 2009
    7
    PvP is what this game is about. It is not about grinding all your Skills (No Levels) to the max. A skilled first day player can kill an unskilled max character. It is not about gathering pixils, weapons, armor and such. Sure they help but a nakid player can kill a fully geared player. It's about Politics, Intrigue, conquering the world, building an empire, defending an empire and PvP is what this game is about. It is not about grinding all your Skills (No Levels) to the max. A skilled first day player can kill an unskilled max character. It is not about gathering pixils, weapons, armor and such. Sure they help but a nakid player can kill a fully geared player. It's about Politics, Intrigue, conquering the world, building an empire, defending an empire and probably re-building said empire. Yes its a new game, some of the features promised are not in, yet. The GUI is clunky and not very user friendly. The controls are FPS style WASD with a hotbar for fast switching and using skills and or items. Graphics are nothing to rave about, I rate them with Vanguards. There are some weird anomalies with the graphics, such as seems in the world, where between server lines you can see light that should not be there. The community are a bunch of pricks, but I love em!… Expand
  7. DylanR
    May 7, 2009
    7
    This game in its current form is a solid 7/10 for the pure and simple reality that's its not finished. Only a few times in my online gaming carrier, which spans ten years, have I felt the blood pumping excitement in PvP that this game provides. This game is far from being polished but with every patch the atmosphere and technical improvements are on the rise.
  8. Jesse
    May 7, 2009
    7
    The game completes what it set out to do well. FFA PVP. Its a difficult game to get used to. Especialy if your used to games like WoW or Everquest since they are focused on die rolls modified by stats. Sound is a bit... low tech. Controls, at first, can be clunky but are a nice fit once you move some of the keys around. It is difficult to start but once things get going and you have a few The game completes what it set out to do well. FFA PVP. Its a difficult game to get used to. Especialy if your used to games like WoW or Everquest since they are focused on die rolls modified by stats. Sound is a bit... low tech. Controls, at first, can be clunky but are a nice fit once you move some of the keys around. It is difficult to start but once things get going and you have a few friends or a guild to fall back on in case someone causes problems things get better.… Expand
  9. AlexB.
    May 8, 2009
    7
    Full Loot old school PvP MMO, striving to bring back the good old times of Ultima Online thrill, danger and adrenaline. While it is not very user friendly, in my opinion its a very addictive game which is clearly aimed at the hardcore crowd. - Rough gem of a game, that needs a little more polishing.
  10. ChristianP
    May 7, 2009
    7
    Best MMO I've played however there are still issues to be resolved. It's hard to tell until we get more patches but if they keep down the road they have been this will be a new benchmark in MMO standards. Would have given an 8 if it was not so hard to buy and the many issues during the first month.
  11. GabrielC
    May 7, 2009
    7
    I give it a 7 because the game isn't perfection obviously and not polished enough for an 8 or 9. Darkfall brings a NEW EXPERIENCE to the world of MMORPGs, WoW lovers will be DF haters, its almost obvious. DF is a hardcore game, where you actually aim your attacks (Although melee being fairly easy), it is a great game which brings CHANGE to MMOs. A change which is needed to escape the I give it a 7 because the game isn't perfection obviously and not polished enough for an 8 or 9. Darkfall brings a NEW EXPERIENCE to the world of MMORPGs, WoW lovers will be DF haters, its almost obvious. DF is a hardcore game, where you actually aim your attacks (Although melee being fairly easy), it is a great game which brings CHANGE to MMOs. A change which is needed to escape the dumb down MMOs of our time. Carebears might give it a 2/10 because they got killed and looted then go on a frustration rampage. That means you're not made for the game, stop crying and accept it! It's not a game where you go around and do duels and farm your epics. It's a world where you're in constant danger, where you actually feel a thrill of fear/adrenaline/intensity when you go outside the walls of your city. The game has a solid foundation, all it needs is polishing to make it shine. What I did not like was the "grind", it isn't supposed to be a grind since you have total freedom which is true, but they could make it easier to skill up as it is a long road ahead, too long for what it's worth. Ever dreamed of killing someone with a nice shiny armor set to then equip it on yourself? The satisfaction I got when it happened, is immense! Darkfall also provided the most intense PvP (Archer combats are the best) ,challenging and a lot of fun. It takes a lot of time to travel around the world which sometimes can be annoying, we always want it to be an instant gratification, darkfall is far from that. It's a game where you have to earn everything, no easy paths. Unless you're up for a challenge, avoid Darkfall. If you're an adventurer who wants total freedom and intense PvP, don't miss that game has it might be what you have been waiting for. … Expand
  12. MH
    May 7, 2009
    7
    This game is very old-school in its approach. Before MMORPG's were turned into easymode gaming (eg: WoW) there existed games such as UO, AC, EQ, SWG, etc. They were breaking the "mmo mold" before WoW even established it. Additionally, do not trust Eurogamer's review regarding this game. The reviewer assigned to the game has built up notoriety for being unfair to various games. This game is very old-school in its approach. Before MMORPG's were turned into easymode gaming (eg: WoW) there existed games such as UO, AC, EQ, SWG, etc. They were breaking the "mmo mold" before WoW even established it. Additionally, do not trust Eurogamer's review regarding this game. The reviewer assigned to the game has built up notoriety for being unfair to various games. While there are accurate statements in the review, any gamer that considers himself a "serious gamer" should be looking at the Darkfall Online forums.… Expand
  13. AbeS
    Sep 23, 2009
    7
    Although the game was plagued by a horrible release, things have gotten much smoother. If large-scale PVP and hard-core gaming is your bag, check it out for sure.
  14. TIMD
    May 8, 2009
    6
    Having played this game for over a month which is about a month more than the Eurogamer reviewer Ed Zitron did. Ths game is not without its issues but to rate this game a 20 is pure sign of irresponsible journalism. First off you need to understand that DFO does just about everything differently than most of your traditional MMO's. That being said there are bound to be issues with Having played this game for over a month which is about a month more than the Eurogamer reviewer Ed Zitron did. Ths game is not without its issues but to rate this game a 20 is pure sign of irresponsible journalism. First off you need to understand that DFO does just about everything differently than most of your traditional MMO's. That being said there are bound to be issues with having to deal with new interface and control styles and of course you might not like them but like anything, given substantial playing time, you grow use to it and it becomes quite intuitive. The Combat is nothing special as it is a virtual run around trying to whack your opponent using the left mouse button. The AI of the mobs is a bit suspect as there movements are quite bizzare but like everything else in this game, you get used to it. The graphics are good but not up to par with what todays games usually demonstrate or what todays crop of video cards can handle. Overall this games biggest problem would be real lack of any substantial content. The quests are rather redundant and quite boring which only leaves the pvp part of the game and that will wear on you fast. Overall i would give this game a 6 and would recommend buying this game in a few months after it has had time to grow.… Expand
  15. DanL
    May 8, 2009
    6
    The graphics in the game are far from great with the UI and controls slightly more clunky than other MMOs. But the combat system has far more appeal than the click and stick systems employed by other games. The aiming of archery and magic is certainly a step in the right direction for MMOs as well as the large seemless world with a vast amount of opportunities. I think this game is good The graphics in the game are far from great with the UI and controls slightly more clunky than other MMOs. But the combat system has far more appeal than the click and stick systems employed by other games. The aiming of archery and magic is certainly a step in the right direction for MMOs as well as the large seemless world with a vast amount of opportunities. I think this game is good and has potential but a larger developer could easily take some of the systems employed here and impliment them better with better graphics and controls. This may hurt the potential future of the game but is unlikely to happen for a long time!… Expand
  16. KostasK
    May 8, 2009
    7
    Niche game. not for everyone..when you play 1-2 weeks and get used to it , it will show its potential. Only drawback is its not so for single playing as the world is hostile and needs organization in terms of party/guilds alliances to have access to alot of elements of the game but isnt this the case for every mmo?
  17. TruthBetold
    May 21, 2009
    5
    Does this game have potential.......Yes it does, but potential does not a good game make. This game was without question released way to early. Slowly Aventurine is beginning to add the content to this game that should have been there at launch. This game is still far from finished and it certainly lacks polish in the User Interface. My advice would be to hold off for a few more months Does this game have potential.......Yes it does, but potential does not a good game make. This game was without question released way to early. Slowly Aventurine is beginning to add the content to this game that should have been there at launch. This game is still far from finished and it certainly lacks polish in the User Interface. My advice would be to hold off for a few more months and see where the game goes. In defense of ED zittron, when he reviewed the game, his comments were very much true. As of now AV have improved the game somewhat but there is much more to go. The game in its current state is very much playable though with recent patches preventing exploits, newbies will find that they are way behind the power curve with a much steeper climb to catchup.… Expand
  18. marko
    May 7, 2009
    6
    This game is somewhere between a 6 and 7 in its current state. They definitely did not deliver on their promises, and the gameplay could be MUCH more engaging. BUT, the Eurogamer reviewer is full of crap. It was proved, by logs, that he played for a grand total of 2 hours. Most of it was spent in character creation. He only played a few minutes at a time. 90% of his complaints are This game is somewhere between a 6 and 7 in its current state. They definitely did not deliver on their promises, and the gameplay could be MUCH more engaging. BUT, the Eurogamer reviewer is full of crap. It was proved, by logs, that he played for a grand total of 2 hours. Most of it was spent in character creation. He only played a few minutes at a time. 90% of his complaints are completely...false. Completely. The entire review is a joke.… Expand
  19. PA
    May 23, 2009
    7
    I've played this game for 2 months now and am still enjoying it. It is mostly definitely a niche game, so know what you're getting into before you buy it. As for the 20/100 given by Eurogamer: read it with a grain of salt. A lot of controversy surrounds the article and its filled with false information.

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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