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. Elzric
    Apr 5, 2012
    10
    Darkfall is one of the last vestiges of hardcore online gaming to experience, and to top it off it has an active user base that is extremely helpful. Are you tired of the boring experience current being offered by massive multiplayer online games. In reality, if you're a gamer, you've gone through hours and hours of gaming looking for an experience that is offered by Darkfall. You've gotDarkfall is one of the last vestiges of hardcore online gaming to experience, and to top it off it has an active user base that is extremely helpful. Are you tired of the boring experience current being offered by massive multiplayer online games. In reality, if you're a gamer, you've gone through hours and hours of gaming looking for an experience that is offered by Darkfall. You've got to hand it to the developers because they've got the equation down right. Crafting from start to finish
    Economy where currency holds its value
    PvP with corpse looting

    These three things make for an experience not found since the days of early Ultima. The risk is the reward of this game and it's great to see people who hate it, because it's really not for everyone.    … Expand
  2. dionissos
    Dec 31, 2011
    8
    This game bring a fresh air with new ideas to mmorpg genre but i think Aventurine has not the human resources to support them. The game is a hardcore pvp in a completely danger open world and in this game you will live some of the most massive battles in mmo. All of us the veteran of the game we wait for Darkfall 2.
  3. 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
  4. donthavetimeftc
    Jul 19, 2011
    10
    This game is a great game, but definitely not a game for everyone. If you are used to the â
  5. colinwc0
    Jul 13, 2011
    10
    Go on youtube and look up some sieges/ pvp fights and stop reading everyones crappy reviews. You be the judge on the graphics and animations, i personally think this is the best mmo ever made
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. Painkiller300
    Aug 23, 2010
    8
    This game is different. You can't treat it like a normal MMO like Guild Wars, WoW, Everquest ect. Pro's: This game is unique the combat can be fun and entertaining. The dev's are the most dedicated that i have ever seen almost constantly improving the game unlike other popular MMO's. Also the town/fort system in quite interesting if you get into it.
    Mixed: The Drop everything when you die    This game is different. You can't treat it like a normal MMO like Guild Wars, WoW, Everquest ect. Pro's: This game is unique the combat can be fun and entertaining. The dev's are the most dedicated that i have ever seen almost constantly improving the game unlike other popular MMO's. Also the town/fort system in quite interesting if you get into it.
    Mixed: The Drop everything when you die system is interesting and also frustrating. you might come across were someone died and be able to get there stuff. But you might get killed later and lose that which you just got. The fighting system can also be a burden at points if you don't know what your doing but is something that you will learn overtime. there arn't many unique items but there are enough that you won't see another version of yourself.
    Con's: This game is a grind fest and the quest are uncreative. the UI could use some improvements and the graphics need a update. There is a little learning curve to it but can be overcome.    … Expand
  9. 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!
  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. 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.
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. CurtisG
    Nov 4, 2009
    10
    I have been thoroughly enjoying this game since the release of the EU-1 Server and have now been playing on NA-1 since it launched. This is a great game if you give it an honest shot, which means you have to start playing with the mindset that anything can happen. Also just so you know "anything" often does happen. I recommend you play this with a friend or two, heck bring as many as you I have been thoroughly enjoying this game since the release of the EU-1 Server and have now been playing on NA-1 since it launched. This is a great game if you give it an honest shot, which means you have to start playing with the mindset that anything can happen. Also just so you know "anything" often does happen. I recommend you play this with a friend or two, heck bring as many as you can because this game is a lot of fun if you can get a small group of friends together. A big part of this game is having to defend yourselves from other players, and a small group will help you guys to stay alive, and have the most fun. Hope this helped convince you to give this game an honest shot that is all I ask is give it a shot. It is definitely not for everyone but I think a fair number of people will like it, if given the chance to like it. Curtis… Expand
  15. 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.
  16. DaveA
    Aug 26, 2009
    8
    This game is for hardcore pvp players only. The FPS style combat mix with MMORPG and skill based leveling is refreshing. Some features like ally-damage, limited view when harvesting and the looting system making it hard to loot fast especially in combat (which all improve realism) will annoy the casual gamers but will please the more hardcore people. Joining a large guild might help to This game is for hardcore pvp players only. The FPS style combat mix with MMORPG and skill based leveling is refreshing. Some features like ally-damage, limited view when harvesting and the looting system making it hard to loot fast especially in combat (which all improve realism) will annoy the casual gamers but will please the more hardcore people. Joining a large guild might help to participate in the advanced city building / siege content.… Expand
  17. 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
  18. 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.
  19. 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,
  20. 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
  21. 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.
  22. mattprivate
    Jul 12, 2009
    9
    Simply the best MMOG on the market. Completely breaks the mould of "generic WOW-clone" that the genre has devolved into for the past few years.
  23. CD
    Jul 6, 2009
    8
    I've been playing DF since release so for over 4 months now. I enjoy the game very much. It is aimed at long term player development and I find the pvp highly enjoyable. The first "free expansion" is due out tomorrow and i'm hoping it only gets more fun from here.
  24. 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.
  25. 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
  26. 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.
  27. 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.
  28. CD
    May 24, 2009
    8
    Good game if you are in for the long haul. If you are looking for something to play for a month or two look else where. If you are looking for a game to play for 6+ months, you love PvP, and you enjoy long term character development this is the place to be.
  29. 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.
  30. Phos
    May 21, 2009
    8
    This is a great game, has a lot of potential, though I have only played for two weeks.

    IN REGARDS TO EUROGAMER'S REVIEW. HERE IS SOME INSIGHT. http://forums.darkfallonline.com/showthread.php?t=185060 http://forums.darkfallonline.com/showthread.php?t=185733 http://forums.darkfallonline.com/showthread.php?t=185299 While the Darkfall team is of course going to be baised    This is a great game, has a lot of potential, though I have only played for two weeks.

    IN REGARDS TO EUROGAMER'S REVIEW. HERE IS SOME INSIGHT.

    http://forums.darkfallonline.com/showthread.php?t=185060

    http://forums.darkfallonline.com/showthread.php?t=185733

    http://forums.darkfallonline.com/showthread.php?t=185299

    While the Darkfall team is of course going to be baised towards themselves, they have put forth a lot of information and detail about how wrong (yes WRONG) the EG review is. There are factual discrepancies and proof that can EASILY be used against the EG reviewer.

    I'm not asking to sympathize this game, but just to try it out, it has great potential. As an MMO, I hope to continue to play it.    … Expand
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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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review