Darkstone

 PlayStation
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 10
  3. Negative: 3 out of 10
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  1. PSX Nation
    91
    With a price tag of $9.99, Take 2 has the best game released for the PS One in quite sometime. Even at a higher price this title could compete for fans who love fantasy, dungeon, gauntlet type play.
  2. Daily Radar
    75
    We can think of plenty of ways to blow a Benjamin, but few would offer quite as much bang for the buck.
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  3. Happy Puppy
    70
    Worth checking out simply for its quirky faux contemporary rock theme song.
  5. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    70
    Pretty much a Diablo clone with so-so graphics, but a solid action/RPG. [Mar 2002, p.34]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. IGN
    69
    Anybody who liked "Diablo" or anything else in the realm of dungeon-hack RPGs should be able to get their pocket-change's worth out of it. Fans of traditional console RPGs are warned that they'll probably detest the presentation and near-lack of story, though.
  7. GameSpot
    60
    The dated graphics and the lack of any kind of two-player mode also detract from the otherwise attractive package. However, with all the character options and its nearly infinite replayability, Darkstone makes an excellent case for making a modest $10 investment.
  8. Hot Games
    50
    If video games were breakfast cereal, Darkstone lurks below Malt-O-Meal.
  9. GamePro
    40
    The game's graphics are murky, blocky, and uninspired, while the soundtrack, filled with monster groans and quiet music, is just as bad. Controls are thumb-numbing and plain.
  10. Gaming Age
    33
    An average action RPG when it was released on the PC two years ago, and the transition from the PC to the PlayStation certainly has not been the easiest for the game.
  11. Game Revolution
    16
    If you're losing sleep at night and are in need of some real-time combat, get Vagrant Story. If it's too late and you already own this atrocity, just break it up and try to feed it to ducks or something.

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Best PS1 Game of 2001
18
#18 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 2001

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 23
  3. Negative: 2 out of 23
  1. Justice_Served
    Apr 21, 2013
    9
    As always, I begin my reviews by explaining that I only provide a user review if I feel the critic reviews are not justified. I am in no wayAs always, I begin my reviews by explaining that I only provide a user review if I feel the critic reviews are not justified. I am in no way a professional, but the fact that I am here conveys my utter disappointment with some of these individuals who call themselves "professional critics", and have failed to provide a solid review to answer what is most important to gaming consumers: if this game worth your money.

    Dark Stone is by far worth the $10 price tag it originally retailed for. Years past, the game has either increased or decreased in value, but not by much. The gameplay is similar to that of Diablo 1 & 2. If you enjoyed either of these games, you will appreciate Dark Stone.

    The graphics are blocky and uninspired, but gets the job done. Either playing on a PS1, PS2, or even PS3 (with smoothing on), the graphics never distract from gameplay. The sounds are "B movie" quality, as in, you either laugh at, or take it as it is. The music is simplistic and fits the atmosphere well. The "village theme" is a full track with vocals and is quite nice.

    The main draw is the gameplay. You are never lost and know exactly what you have to do. As you move around the multi-area overworld, you will find caves and dungeons that lead into mazes of multiple floors. Each floor is considered a "level", and you will soon learn the pacing of the game as you discover the next stage. As you explore, your map will be filled with areas you have visited, so for those of you who love dungeon crawling (aka, Diablo, Champions of Norrath, etc), you'll love searching every room of every floor of every dungeon of every overworld area. As your inventory begins to fill up, you can use scrolls/magic to open a portal which brings you back to the village, enabling you to trade/buy/sell/identify/upgrade equipment.

    The most enjoyable aspect of the game are the rewards, like any Zelda game when you find a new item or heart piece. Dark Stone is filled with items, magical spells and skills hidden in every corner, and you never feel that going out of your way was a waste of time. Again, this game feels rewarding. As you complete your first multi-floored dungeon, you collect a crystal. You require 7 crystals in all. Go back to the overworld and visit the next area to help more NPCs. Sound familiar? This is a textbook RPG, and if that's what you're looking for, $10 is a great price for hours of enjoyment.    … Full Review »
  2. MonstroParasite
    Nov 21, 2003
    10
    One of My favorite games. Its a badass game for me...prolly cuz its the only one i have.
  3. SebbyMakesMusic
    May 5, 2023
    6
    Not a bad game. Actually pretty addicting and can be fun at points. But it does go on for a while without having that much variation in theNot a bad game. Actually pretty addicting and can be fun at points. But it does go on for a while without having that much variation in the dungeons, the story doesn't feel particularly well defined, and... there's an exploit where you can get infinite money by buying and selling clubs, if I remember properly.… Full Review »
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