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. chrn
    May 8, 2009
    8
    Game needs some polishing much like any other mmo but thers nothing like it in the market. Great team/alliance baseed play. Its got p[olitics, building/harvestine, war in small and large scales. game is amazing.
  2. JohanA
    May 8, 2009
    8
    Its obviously that Eurogamer is an amateur to review games atleast. I mean they didnt even play the game. The game is getting better and better for every patch that comes.
  3. JamesH
    May 8, 2009
    10
    This game is the epitome of potential, and I have to say that given the current state of MMO's this is probably the most passionate and talented development team to date. This game was not designed for the feint of heart.
  4. Billyh
    Aug 2, 2009
    8
    While still not having enough features and toys to play with, Darkfall has more potential than any other MMO out there. They have created a seamless world that is a joy to explore
  5. colutrb
    May 9, 2009
    10
    I have been playing DFO since release and it is easily the best MMO out right now. I read the review given by eurogamer and there is no way they played the same game I pay for.
  6. TazV
    May 19, 2009
    10
    This is a great game for those who know what they are looking for. Full loot MMO in non instanced world, with FPS elements, and clan warfare/politics. The game is becoming better every week since the company is patching actively to improve gameplay and balance. People might complain it's "too hard" - and they might be right. This is not a ride in a theme-park type of game. But once This is a great game for those who know what they are looking for. Full loot MMO in non instanced world, with FPS elements, and clan warfare/politics. The game is becoming better every week since the company is patching actively to improve gameplay and balance. People might complain it's "too hard" - and they might be right. This is not a ride in a theme-park type of game. But once you get the hang of it, the rewards are incredible. Better than anything you would get from WoW(and I have played wow at a very high level) or similar games.… Expand
  7. AlexanderH
    May 19, 2009
    10
    This is the second coming of Ultima Online. If you enjoyed UO, you will love this game! The developer support for the game is tremendous and it will continue to evolve.
  8. MichaelW
    May 15, 2009
    10
    This is a great game that still needs some polishing, is brutal to those that are new to hardcore PVP, and is not for the faint of heart. If you are used to having your hand held and a medal awarded for every act you accomplish this is not your game. If your willing to invest the time with a guild and learn the ropes under fire then this just may be for you. Solo play for this game is not This is a great game that still needs some polishing, is brutal to those that are new to hardcore PVP, and is not for the faint of heart. If you are used to having your hand held and a medal awarded for every act you accomplish this is not your game. If your willing to invest the time with a guild and learn the ropes under fire then this just may be for you. Solo play for this game is not recommended but can work for you if you are really quick on your feet. I personally do not see many solo players for to long. Safety in numbers is the name of this game.… Expand
  9. GradyT
    May 6, 2009
    8
    I give this game an 8/10. I love the game, its got all the elements a true MMORPG gamer could want, but it has the potential to do so much more. I still have faith in Aventurine to accomplish all their dreams/goals for this game, but they need time and most of the players understand that. Eagerly awaiting the next and all subsequent patches.
  10. mh
    Jan 14, 2010
    9
    A refreshingly original take on a genre inundated with 'WOW-clones' - the no-holds-barred PVP is a bit too much for 'soft' mainstream gamers... which will lead you to love it or hate it. Easily the best PVP MMO on the market right now, and only getting better with age.
  11. rc
    Jan 31, 2010
    10
    Excellent, excellent MMORPG! I have tried everything from Meridian, EQ, EQ2, AO, WoW, AoC, UO, TR, etc, etc, etc... None of them even begin to compare to how fun and involving this game is. Full loot PVP, and an amazingly huge, open world. This is what you have been waiting for!
  12. TravisG
    May 7, 2009
    9
    No other game like it, abseloutely cutthroat. The starting mobs on this game will own half of the WoW playerbase. Not for new gamers.
  13. [Anonymous]
    May 7, 2009
    8
    Graphics: + Beautiful world; no repetition, even after walking for hours. + Awesome Night and Day graphics + Scales wonderfully (200v200 runs like a charm on my laptop) + Dynamic soft shadows + Allows fine control of all options (down to setting the number of dynamic lights as an actual number) - Sometimes not bad models - Animations sometimes bad (though they're being improved) - Graphics: + Beautiful world; no repetition, even after walking for hours. + Awesome Night and Day graphics + Scales wonderfully (200v200 runs like a charm on my laptop) + Dynamic soft shadows + Allows fine control of all options (down to setting the number of dynamic lights as an actual number) - Sometimes not bad models - Animations sometimes bad (though they're being improved) - Technicaly outdated for year 2009 While the graphics aren't perfect, the scalability of the engine combined with how amazing the game can look at times still surprise me sometimes. While watching beta videos might leave a player wondering how anyone could play a game with such horrible animations, they have been improved in more than one patch recently. Overall, Darkfall strikes a good balance between graphical quality and accessibility on older machines. Score: 7 Sound: + Music is atmospheric and doesn't distract from the game (or Ventrillo chatter) + Combat is heard before it is seen. - In large battles, the sound of 512 players' footsteps being played at once is maddening. - Volume control broken on Windows XP Sound is an area that has relieved mixed comments. I personally like the sound when I'm venturing around by myself or in a small party, but it can get quite annoying in larger confrontations. Adding to the sound's issues, the game's Volume Control is based around the Vista scheme: it assumes that each program has its own separate volume setting in system options, and attempts to lower that. For XP users, this means that muting Darkfall's sound will mute all of your sound, including important things like Ventrillo. Score: 5 Balance: I agree with this from the OP, so I'll just leave it here. Strangely, the topic that was barely raised in Darkfall, due to nature of a game and skillbased progression system. Everything feels quite balanced, polearms were claimed to be OP and few other minor things; but from my assessment there REALLY wasn't any serious balancing issues, and the minor that were were fixed really fast. The only "balance" issue would be people who raised their rigor due to exploit, but that's about it. PvE is fine. Even best PvPer in best armor stocked with pots e.t.c can be taken down by few naked people if they know their game, although it wouldn't be easy. Score: 9 Atmosphere: + World design: No copy-pasting and retexturing + Politics similar to EVE, except that limited city locations lead to more necessity for conflict. + Gameworld matches up to the lore + Music complements the atmosphere - Playerbase sometimes hostile to newcomers. Score: 10 Operation: + Flexible UI + UI minimalism helps immersion N UI learning curve N Lack of plugins - Chat Interface - Journal and Clan page interfaces Darkfall's UI is perhaps the best out-of-the box UI I've worked with, ever. It has a rather steep learning curve, but Race chat should be willing to answer any questions you have about it. Windows can be moved to any location on the screen, given custom transparencies, and pinned / unpinned from the combat HUD. Once you get everything set up how you want it, there is a sense of satisfaction - you created that. Later, if you decide you'd rather have it organized differently, you can simply move your windows around in a few mouse clicks. Unlike other games there is no need (and no availability) for third-party plug-ins. Right-clicking to switch between the full UI and the combat HUD is a wonderful flashback to Morrowind, and while it takes a little getting used to, it feels quite intuitive after a couple of hours. The journal and clan pages use a somewhat clunky web-based interface - it takes just a little while longer to load that I would like, and are generally two of the things that receives across-the-board negative reception. Thankfully, you won't need to be using them very often. The chat system is another common complaint. Chat is split into "tabs" - /race, /racealliance, /party, /clan, /clanalliance, /say, tells, and more recently, /trade. They can be selected by clicking them, or by pressing enter and using Ctrl+Tab to cycle tabs. What the chat system lacks is a way to integrate multiple tabs into one meta-tab; it can get annoying to constantly have to cycle through chat channels to view new messages. Most clans use Ventrillo as a primary means of communication for this reason. Score: 7 Scope: + HUGE world + Seamless and non-repetitive terrain + player built cities + naval warfare + mounted combat + Sandbox 'Goals' Score: 10 Quests: Quests are... there. They reference the lore rather often, especially after the first few starter quests, but overall are nothing special. Then again, Darkfall is a PvP-focused game, and quests aren't really all that central to its quality at all. Most people don't bother progressing far into the quest lines. Score: 4 Character System: + Skill based development - Most players at the moment have focused on the easy / fast route (melee + archery), so there's less diversification than some would like. Good, but it could offer more potential for diversification, but that will come with time. EVE's progression was quite simplistic at first as well. Score: 8 Combat System: + twitch based melee combat + fps aim for archery and magery + mounted combat + naval combat + big and massive pvp encounters + player skill and character skill both matter + "Real-world" stealth - no invisibility. ++ Full Loot! N Some players report unplayable framerates in massive (500 v 500) battles, but any newer computer should be able to handle it. - latency (not a big deal for most) - Players opting for the easy route in skilling up make battles less unique than they could be with more diversification Ranged combat in Darkfall is a blast, both attacking and dodging projectiles. Hitting your target comes down almost entirely to your (player) skill with he bow, or with the spell you're firing. Melee also requires skill, mostly at dodging the other player's attacks while hitting them with your own. It may start to seem a little repetitive at times though - most players currently use a two-handed melee weapon and a bow, as there is far less cost in gaining these skills than higher magics. With a little more diversification, combat would be flawless. Also, there is no invisibility stealth, and camouflaged (i.e. leather or cloth) / non-shiny armors won't help you slip out of sight after you've been spotted, but there are definate stealth elements to the game. Since everybody's camera is fixed to their character's eyes (or a short distance behind the character with a drawn melee weapon) in most cases (exceptions = mounted and resting), you can pretty easily move up on a target undetected if you stay out of their line of sight and more quietly. From behind isn't much of an issue, you just crouchwalk up on them, utilizing terrain to stay out of view just in case. Approaching from the front is near impossible, so you can use the terrain to circle around a target, shoot him with arrows (get him surrounded for best effect, there's nothing like getting suddenly peppered with arrows from multiple directions), or wait for him to walk by. There is a lot of quick thinking and player skill involved in moving undetected. Score: 9 Items: + Player - Driven economy + Items are replaceable + Variance across items of the same type related to crafter + Game doesn't come down to gear, gear only helps tilt the balance. - crafting large numbers of items can be a chore, needs a "Craft All" button Darkfall is not another item-based game, thankfully. It couldn't be, when you lose everything you're carrying on death. Items do, on the other hand, help to skew the odds in your favor - you'll hit harder with a rank 40 sword than a rank 0 one, but not by too much. Players can craft 90% of the items in the game, with most of the rest being crafting tools, player-gathered resources, or mob-specific types of armor (which are uniformly worse than similar armors when made by crafters). A major gripe, however, is that it takes too long to craft large numbers of items. Personally, I feel that the time investment itself is not an issue; the issue is that the player must manually click the "create" button once for each item he or she intends to make, then wait until that one is done and repeat. Score: 7 Overall: graphics: 7 sound: 5 balance: 9 atmosphere: 10 operation: 7 scope: 10 quests: 4 character system: 8 combat system: 9 items: 7 With even weights: 76 / 100 Personally I'd round it up to an eight on a 10 point scale. Also keep in mind that my scale is weighted with 50% (5) being average.… Expand
  14. bryanw
    May 6, 2009
    9
    Anyone who reviews it like its the next WoW clone is a fucking carebear fag that needs to STFU never had more fun in my life then when i do defending my clans former city.
  15. Richardp
    May 7, 2009
    8
    A diamond in the rough, darkfall Online is the kind of game many have been wanting for a long time. it is still needs work on the UI, tweaks to skilling and combat, and features that haven't made it to release. Still in its infancy, many changes and improvements are anticipated over the first months (like in any MMO) Empire building, politics, large scale war, FPS combat, and free A diamond in the rough, darkfall Online is the kind of game many have been wanting for a long time. it is still needs work on the UI, tweaks to skilling and combat, and features that haven't made it to release. Still in its infancy, many changes and improvements are anticipated over the first months (like in any MMO) Empire building, politics, large scale war, FPS combat, and free will are the basics of this game. This game is declared a Niche game, not meant for the average "theme-park" gamer. User discretion is advised! Overall it is a good game, IF you are the right type of gamer.… Expand
  16. DirkM
    May 7, 2009
    8
    Darkfall is not a typical MMORPG. It mixes the fast paced combat of an FPS with an RPG setting. You can roam around and can find small scale fights or get involved in massive battles. While the game started of with bugs and flaws none of those stand out compared to any other MMORPG launch. Devs are actively developing the game and the game improves continuously. Duels, Sieges, Naval Darkfall is not a typical MMORPG. It mixes the fast paced combat of an FPS with an RPG setting. You can roam around and can find small scale fights or get involved in massive battles. While the game started of with bugs and flaws none of those stand out compared to any other MMORPG launch. Devs are actively developing the game and the game improves continuously. Duels, Sieges, Naval Battle ... if you want PvP action in a world inhabited by thousands then this is THE game to get.… Expand
  17. MatthewS
    May 7, 2009
    10
    This game is not for everyone and it was developed as such. You will see low ratings from players whom like the ease of having the game play itself for you and the brainless thinking of mmorpg gaming is heading towards thanks to WoW.
  18. RobertS
    May 7, 2009
    9
    It aint perfect but it's the second skill based game I've played and the first sandbox - the potential is great and the devs do a hell of a good job in getting the game better on a weekly basis. You can enjoy the game from day one (after getting used to controls and UI, which can take up to 2 hours if you don't read the manual that you have to close before you can start It aint perfect but it's the second skill based game I've played and the first sandbox - the potential is great and the devs do a hell of a good job in getting the game better on a weekly basis. You can enjoy the game from day one (after getting used to controls and UI, which can take up to 2 hours if you don't read the manual that you have to close before you can start playing) and never feel useless - it factors the group aspect as well as the lone ranger aspect since both can be successful. I intend to stay for a while.… Expand
  19. JohnC
    May 8, 2009
    8
    Great potential, awful release but once your in its a great experience and takes you back to those loved Ultima Online days.
  20. ThomasS
    May 6, 2009
    8
    Game is stable for me, and fun. Has a ton of potential to be great. Every week they make it better. Not for everyone though.
  21. StefanJ
    May 7, 2009
    8
    The game is completely brilliant and one of a kind. There are flaws though, but considering that it is in such an early stage of its development, its nothing that worries me. Huge weekly patches correct the things people complain about and it gives hope for the future. Now there is just PvE, sounds and UI left to be done.
  22. SjaakT
    May 7, 2009
    10
    Great game, great concept. More games should adapt the full pvp;full loot ruleset, it is awesome.
  23. MIchaelT
    May 7, 2009
    8
    I think the Eurogamer review was absolutely atrocious, unprofessional, and it's obvious he did not even try to become familiar with the game. Yes, the first 2 hours or so (which is as much as he played), is rough, but once you figure out the controls it becomes quite easy to maneuver around and get in fights, and the game quickly becomes a blast. Shame on Eurogamer for being so I think the Eurogamer review was absolutely atrocious, unprofessional, and it's obvious he did not even try to become familiar with the game. Yes, the first 2 hours or so (which is as much as he played), is rough, but once you figure out the controls it becomes quite easy to maneuver around and get in fights, and the game quickly becomes a blast. Shame on Eurogamer for being so unprofessional. I give it an 8 because there is a lot of room for improvement, but for a game at this stage after launch, I think it's been doing excellent.… Expand
  24. JoshW
    May 7, 2009
    9
    The game has a depth that certainly cannot be determined in 2.5 or 9 hours, depending on which story you believe of the Eurogamer drama. Yes , it should come as no surprise that the game is vastly different than most games on the market, and yet, this is what Aventurine has been planning for years, and they have suceeded quite well. Combat with mobs is downright fantastic. When a mob The game has a depth that certainly cannot be determined in 2.5 or 9 hours, depending on which story you believe of the Eurogamer drama. Yes , it should come as no surprise that the game is vastly different than most games on the market, and yet, this is what Aventurine has been planning for years, and they have suceeded quite well. Combat with mobs is downright fantastic. When a mob hides behind a tree as I try to shoot him, then pops out and hits me melee when I get closer, I cannot help but be impressed. Combat with players is incomparable. Contrary to the many reports of "Combat is nothing more than circle strafe and mana missiles" there is a great deal of PLAYER skill involved with the combat. Tactics and strategy are necessary to win fights in this game, and quite frankly, I love it. The social structure in the game is still on its way to being developed, and it shows a great deal of promise, though in this area only time will tell. Yes there are areas where the game lacks some, hence my 9 instead of a 10. However that being said, the changes that Aventurine have made have all been in the right direction, and they respond to problems and issues with a great deal of quickness. This game is not for everyone, as you have to be ok with losing all your hard work in a random encounter, but quite frankly, without that risk, the game wouldnt be nearly as fun. I cannot personaly recall the last time prior to this game that I truely found myself on the edge of my seat, holding my breath, waiting for a fight to finish.… Expand
  25. AndrewR
    May 7, 2009
    8
    What I like - Mixture between oblivion style combat and EVE online political intrigue - Beautiful (though graphically outdated) handcrafted world - Game can handle several hundred players fighting each other with good framerate (google siege videos) - Game has player initiated naval combat (google brigintine videos) - Complete control over your character, no dice rolls determining hit or What I like - Mixture between oblivion style combat and EVE online political intrigue - Beautiful (though graphically outdated) handcrafted world - Game can handle several hundred players fighting each other with good framerate (google siege videos) - Game has player initiated naval combat (google brigintine videos) - Complete control over your character, no dice rolls determining hit or miss and no auto aiming What I didn't like - Lack of solo play - Grind for crafting is tedius - Some issues with equipping/unequipping bows and staves - Interface, while functional, is slightly clunky (it will remind you of planetside, only you have to use your right-click interface frequently) Personally, I'm enjoying darkfall a lot but I'm a 2 year EVE veteran and I've been waiting for an oblivion-esque mmo, so I'm a good fit for this glove. The controls are going to remind you of an FPS rather than a traditional MMO, so go in with that attitude and you will pick it up faster. A perfect game for someone already familar with FFA sandbox's, or anyone wanting a truly free play experience that can handle not having their hand held.… Expand
  26. KariiI
    May 7, 2009
    8
    Darkfall is the fantasy based answer to CCP's EVE Online. It provides an open gaming environment that allows the player base to shape the game world. The combination of FPS style combat with an RPG is a refreshing change of pace from many of the current crop of MMO's on the market.
  27. FotisG
    May 8, 2009
    10
    As a hardcore pvper i must say this is an actual heaven for me. Sure it has its problems since it comes from an indie company and not a multy milion dollar giant. But the pvp core of the game is there . It needs time so this rough diamond can shine . But even at this state ppl should try it. And by ppl i mean those who loved UO and shadowbane. if you are a Wow, Lotr, Aoc. warhammer player As a hardcore pvper i must say this is an actual heaven for me. Sure it has its problems since it comes from an indie company and not a multy milion dollar giant. But the pvp core of the game is there . It needs time so this rough diamond can shine . But even at this state ppl should try it. And by ppl i mean those who loved UO and shadowbane. if you are a Wow, Lotr, Aoc. warhammer player do not and i mean it, do not even think of trying this game. Its not for you.… Expand
  28. DickL
    May 8, 2009
    9
    Excellent but extremely punishing free for all pvp game. With a completely open world and full looting it's a real throwback to MMOs of old. It's well supported with patches and updates.
  29. WesleyP
    May 8, 2009
    8
    The pve needs work, Ive yet to explore any dungeon type enviroments. I have found a few dragons though. The pvp is fast and furious and for the first time in late 90s, early 2000s I have a sense of risk vs reward.
  30. CharlesDelmo
    Jun 9, 2009
    10
    After playing this game for 3 months I can easily say that this is one of the BEST games I have ever played. There are still balance issues and some other frustrating bugs but this is the first time in a long time that I have enjoyed myself this much.
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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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