Harbinger (2003)

 PC
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 21
  3. Negative: 6 out of 21
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  1. Gamezilla!
    80
    Most action/RPG enthusiasts will enjoy this title as a reminder of how much they enjoy this type of “dungeon crawl,” but will eventually shelve this title after a few hours.
  2. GameZone
    79
    It’s chock full of plasma throwing and destructive action with three good storylines to boot.
  3. PC Gamer
    76
    This game should tickle the hell out of most "Diablo" fans. [May 2003, p.78]
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  5. Four Fat Chicks
    75
    It breaks the mold with its setting and manages to stay traditional in gameplay.
  6. Game Over Online
    75
    Enemies are pretty strong in the game, and so you have to use hit-and-run tactics in almost every fight, and even though there are a couple dozen different enemies, fights go about the same. Shoot a couple times, run away, and then shoot again.
  7. Adrenaline Vault
    70
    The backstory is fascinating, and plot hooks keep the player interested; you'll want to uncover Harbinger's secrets. The glue that holds it together, however, fun as it might sometimes be, never seems to change.
  8. Electric Playground
    70
    Brilliant conceptually--it's a "Diablo"-like game in a science fiction setting.
  9. Play Magazine
    70
    As these games go, the AI and balance between ranged and melee attacks comes off very well, and its dark steely environs brim with fine detail. [May 2003, p.62]
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  10. PC Gameworld
    68
    An average title all-around. There’s no element about it that stands out and the gameplay is extremely repetitive.
  11. ActionTrip
    67
    The game lacks gameplay depth for an action RPG, which means more skills, weapons, and items are needed to grab the attention of the hardcore crowd.
  12. netjak
    63
    Due to the game being a budget title, I am willing to overlook the bad voice-overs, weak character animation and technical problems. However, the game fails when it comes to balance.
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  13. Game Informer
    60
    I wouldn't be sad if an RPG initiate tried his hand with Harbinger, but for hard-cores like myself, it's definitely forgettable. [May 2003, p.93]
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  14. G4 TV
    60
    For players who have had their fill taking on the dark lords of the underworld, or are simply hankering for some science fiction, Harbinger brings plenty to the table.
  15. Armchair Empire
    59
    Harbinger does have some good ideas, but ultimately the lackluster combat and the very linear nature of the game prevent the title from really becoming engaging.
  16. GameSpy
    58
    A barely passable "Diablo" mod with all the weaknesses of the original game and few of the strengths.
  17. GameSpot
    45
    Although the futuristic setting is a welcome change of pace, Harbinger falls short of the mark, with half-baked action and role-playing elements that are overly shallow and simplistic.
  18. IGN
    40
    It lacks ambition. It doesn't really set out to do anything new. Even with what it does do, it doesn't do well. Give this one a pass.
  19. Computer Games Magazine
    40
    The developers have hand-placed absolutely everything, robbing the whole game of any sense of exploration or freedom. [June 2003, p.85]
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  20. Computer Gaming World
    40
    A game for which the adjective "tolerable" was invented. There's nothing terrible about Harbinger, but there's nothing much good, either. [June 2003, p.89]
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  21. Game Revolution
    33
    Harbinger defines mediocrity.
  22. GamerFeed
    30
    The leveling system includes only the bare essentials, which takes the thrill out of leveling up. Worst of all, there's no multiplayer!

Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. DudasDrakaan
    Dec 10, 2011
    2
    I need to do something with this game that I haven't done before: and that is reconsider my rating of a bad game. Originally I gave this gameI need to do something with this game that I haven't done before: and that is reconsider my rating of a bad game. Originally I gave this game a 1. Which, on the basis of stealing Diablo I's game play, ambiance, and design, it deserves. For more than even Never Winter Nights I, it is obvious how much this game is "borrowing" from Blizzard's game, and that is something that simply annoys me. The lack of LAN play was something that made me immediately hate the game, because this is what I bought it for. But then I realized that this was an old hatred based on preconceived notions that were extremely disappointed. I wanted a new RPG, and it did not deliver. I wanted to play with my friends and my brother on a network, and I could not. _____ This game lacks variety. The bartering system lacks balance. Even the storyline is mediocre, at best. I had to replay the game recently to see this. And when I did, I saw that the game was actually fun to a degree. In this -- it is challenging. Which is more than I could say for Diablo except on Hell or Nightmare difficulty (in reference to DI, not DII which is a more advanced game and thus is on another level). I would never, however, recommend you to play it simply because it is repetitive. Extremely repetitive. There is SOME variety, granted. But it is Diablo I without the firewalls and lightning. It's lasers, which is neat until you realize the different abilities differ in color and damage but not in effect or actual physics. Mines and "CAMS" are there, but only depending on the race. Which, is really limited. And believe me, you are probably not going to enjoy this game enough to want to play through the exact same story twice. ____ I had fun playing this game when I was drunk. So based on that, I increase my score 1 point. I detract that it is the worst game I ever played, but I also detract that it had a good story. It is a sci-fi scrap book story really. I am not going to "spoil" it, however. How "Harbinger" is symbolized in so many ways in the game is in fact the coolest, and deepest thing about it. But this is where depth begins and ends, I am afraid. I recommend avoiding this game. However, if you come into contact with it I recommend buying it as an artifact due to its rarity, if it is cheap that is.… Full Review »
  2. spartan-117
    Sep 28, 2010
    7
    Good game for its kind.Has a good aspiration to intelligence.Pretty adictive for me.the gameplay is long but nice.At some point you might getGood game for its kind.Has a good aspiration to intelligence.Pretty adictive for me.the gameplay is long but nice.At some point you might get bored by killing endless bugs.Overall nice.7… Full Review »
  3. Eristen
    Jun 14, 2023
    10
    There is a lot of criticism that is totally valid for this game. But all of it can be forgiven, because this game has a soul. If you manage toThere is a lot of criticism that is totally valid for this game. But all of it can be forgiven, because this game has a soul. If you manage to get to the end of the game, you will feel things. Intense things. This is no Diablo, but it still does pretty good world-building, and you will connect with every character in the game. Innovative story, familiar gameplay (for Diablo fans). Give it a shot.… Full Review »
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