The Darkness Image
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 63 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 247 Ratings

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  • Summary: The Darkness features a distinct blend of dark modern crime drama and supernatural horror with intense first person non-linear gameplay. The game is a dynamic first person shooter that allows players to call upon the forces of the evil underworld as they fight in gritty, urban environments.The Darkness features a distinct blend of dark modern crime drama and supernatural horror with intense first person non-linear gameplay. The game is a dynamic first person shooter that allows players to call upon the forces of the evil underworld as they fight in gritty, urban environments. Armed with an arsenal of guns, gamers battle an array of demonic creatures and supernatural powers. In the game, players assume the role of mafia hitman Jackie Estacado. On the night of his 21st birthday, Jackie is possessed by "The Darkness," an ancient demonic entity that gives Jackie spectacular powers. The story, written by Eisner Award winner Paul Jenkins, follows Jackie and his fight with the fictional Francetti mafia. As the story unfolds, the player will learn to utilize traditional weapons and the extraordinary powers of The Darkness. [2K Games] Expand
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Microsoft E3 2005 Xbox 360 Demo Showcase
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 63
  2. Negative: 1 out of 63
  1. A game that’s built on a foundation of great gameplay with an intense and unique story. The look and sound of the game are awesome as well.
  2. 90
    While the visuals in the game may at times look a bit dated, it's the entire experience that takes this title and brings the game above and beyond its smaller parts.
  3. The development team may have been a little too ambitious, as the game tries some new things, succeeding in some areas and falling just short in others. The presentation and visuals are absolutely top-notch, but the gameplay ultimately becomes a bit too repetitive and the multiplayer feels tacked-on.
  4. The Darkness is truly a brilliant ray of light during this otherwise abysmal summer gaming drought.
  5. Even with its faults, it's impossible to dislike The Darkness. It's such a stunningly put together game that succeeds far more often than it fails, with storytelling and direction that puts many other games to shame.
  6. 40
    I was looking forward to it, but left very disappointed. It’s completely playable. Being about 7 hours long helps but I spent the entire game waiting for it to get good, to make sense, to make a case for all the incongruous elements of design, gameplay and story, and then it ended.

See all 63 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 73
  2. Negative: 11 out of 73
  1. MartinW.
    Jun 25, 2007
    10
    This is one of the most original games i've played in a while, try it out, you`ll see what i mean.
  2. Dec 13, 2013
    10
    Although short in terms of the games I usually play (Oblivion, Morrowind, Skyrim and the like), the Darkness proves that not all games have toAlthough short in terms of the games I usually play (Oblivion, Morrowind, Skyrim and the like), the Darkness proves that not all games have to be monumentally long to be superb. You really get a feel for the characters both dark and light. The game was a pleasure from start to finish. Expand
  3. Gott
    Jul 2, 2007
    9
    This game is awesome. So original...the powers that you can use make the game a blast...you have many options when dealing with This game is awesome. So original...the powers that you can use make the game a blast...you have many options when dealing with enemies...amazing game. Could have been a book the story is so good... Expand
  4. AndyP.
    Dec 27, 2007
    9
    Superbly produced game with excellent graphics. Do not believe the reviews that claim next to no optional quests, there are tons! Also Superbly produced game with excellent graphics. Do not believe the reviews that claim next to no optional quests, there are tons! Also working out what is required for and actually achieving the achievements is great fun in itself. Highly recommended. Expand
  5. Sep 2, 2023
    8
    Answer: 75 characters is between 10 words and 19 words with spaces included in the character count. If spaces are not included in theAnswer: 75 characters is between 10 words and 19 words with spaces included in the character count. If spaces are not included in the character count, then 75 characters is between 12 words and 25 words. Expand
  6. Feb 15, 2022
    7
    Darkness is the last worthy project from Starbreeze Studios. In 2007, the game really looked great, but it did not survive the influence ofDarkness is the last worthy project from Starbreeze Studios. In 2007, the game really looked great, but it did not survive the influence of time. Having launched it for the first time in 2022, I faced many gameplay problems, primarily here the terrible interface, combined with the complexity of level design, turns into suffering. I don't go to Darkness extra quests, I Google how to find them and where to go. The story of Darkness itself is very quickly blown away and turns into a farce, the mission in hell is the most terrible gameplay solution in general, they look like games of the early 2000s. In 2022, it is very difficult to play such a game, although the game is unique, but the gameplay did not allow it to go completely. I could only go until the second return to Hell. Expand
  7. Feb 22, 2016
    0
    It's hard to someone in 2015 find this game fun. But if we think that Bioshock, which is a GREAT GAME even TODAY, was released in the sameIt's hard to someone in 2015 find this game fun. But if we think that Bioshock, which is a GREAT GAME even TODAY, was released in the same year that The Darkness we can see how terrible this game is. The problem is not the graphics or history but, mainly, the game play. Every thing is so hard, even to take aim, is really, really bad. The movements is much unnaturally, like a lego videogame (Oh sorry, lego video games are more realistic than The Darkness)

    The second game is very cool, but is sadly you might try to play the first before. Do not worth to play.
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See all 73 User Reviews