'Embrace the Dark ?'
 Developer:Digital Extremes
Publisher: D3 Publisher
Category: : Action
Multiplayer: 1-16 (Xbox Live/PSN)
Official Site
Platform: X-Box 360
Might look like: /
Date posted: 16 June 2008
Written By: Ian
We also test other games on
"PlayDevil.com Game Machine"
Gears of Dark
"Dark Sector" was announced ages ago. And I mean ages.
Originally scheduled to appear in the 360 launch window, the game kept getting pushed back further and further. Fast forward to 2008, and the game is finally out, albeit with a serious makeover.
The game now plays just like Gears of War, with an over the shoulder perspective, and an advanced cover system.
Does the game pull it off, or is it a second-rate copy that fails to excite?
Dark Gameplay
The gameplay, at first, is very much like 'Gears of War', but for some reason, not as good. That's why I'm really glad that DE added "the glaive" into the game, as the basic shooting gameplay just feels a bit weak.
The glaive, however, is great, and just keeps getting better as the game goes on.
A cross between a Frisbee and a shuriken, the glaive is a thrown piece of metal that loves to dismember your foes.
Later in the game, you can also power it up with electricity, fire, and ice, to add extra damage, but also to solve puzzles. This is a nice extra addition to the gameplay, works really well, requires a little bit of skill, and helps differentiate the game further from Gears.
You can also add 'aftertouch', another cool feature, which puts you in control of the glaive in the air, blurs and slows down the action, and allows for some nice close-ups of the mess you can make!
The only downside is the level of violence. "Dark Sector" was supposed to push the envelope, and was also banned in Germany and Australia. But, apart from a couple of grisly finishing moves that were particularly visceral, I didn't find anything to be particularly violent.
Equally, the zombies and alien infected just weren't as fun to kill, precisely for the reason that they weren't human. Call me a sicko, but for a game that is supposed to be all about violence, I didn't find the game to be particularly violent.
  
The game is also pretty difficult, but it often feels a little cheap, as if compensating for the length of the game (there are only 10 chapters, and about 4 of these weigh in at 15-20 minutes each, whilst the others take about 45-60 minutes each, for a total of about 8 hours for the single player).
Also, you get a new suit near the end of the game, which is supposed to power you up, but the difficulty spikes so much it feels like you've been powered down!
The plot starts off pretty well, with a story about a fictional ex-Russian republic creating some disease that after infecting people, turns them into zombies (a la 'I Am Legend'), but midway through, loses its way, then becomes convoluted, with random alien-esque creatures appearing, and a frankly laughably stupid last boss that reminded me of the biggest excesses found in any JRPG.
The ending makes up for it, and whilst giving it away would be a spoiler, it was fairly moving, and provided closure whilst still allowing for a sequel of sorts. It's just a shame there isn't more consistency throughout.
Graphics & Sound ?
The first thing that strikes you about Dark Sector is the graphics. Digital Extremes has done a fantastic job.
The graphics are up there with "Gears of War" as being some of the most outstanding on the console. What is more impressive is that the frame rate is rock solid, and the arrears are often larger than you would find in Gears.
The loading times are also infrequent and amazingly quick. The only slight gripe is that occasionally, bouts of screen tearing occur, but not to the extent as in some other titles.
The animation of Hayden is also spot on, but occasionally some of the enemy AI will be doing weird things. Also, the human enemies reminded me a lot of the humans in 'Lost Planet'.
Whilst not an issue in itself, it was quite an eerie sense of déjà vu, especially as the animation style is quite similar.
Overall though, the game is a visual treat, with particularly impressive fire, ice and electrical effects, along with some lovely animated blood and gore.
The sound is not going to disappoint you either. Whilst hardly revolutionary, the audio is nevertheless excellent. There is plenty of booming bass, and a subtle surround mix that is never overpowering, but give you a good impression of being in battle.
The voice acting is also impressive, with the cast of unknowns delivering solid performances, with the main character, Hayden, being particularly good. The only criticism is that too many of the voice sound like they were played through a speaker before coming out, giving them an odd feel on occasion.
  
Multiplayer?
The multiplayer is without a doubt the weakest part of 'Dark Sector'. It feels tacked on, and reminded me a lot of 'The Darkness'.
Whilst you can play as a character with powers, in practice, it fails to work very well, and you don't feel overpowered.
The other characters are pretty dull to play as. Also, not many people are playing online, and whilst this is a problem in itself, the game can also suffer from bouts of lag.
There is fun to be had, but there are so many better multiplayer experiences to be had, I can't see you wasting much time on the game. I just wish that the time spent on multiplayer had been put towards lengthening and polishing the single player more.
Conclusion
"Dark Sector" is an accomplished game, but could have been superb with just a little more time or better design decisions. Cutting heads off of humans is amazing, but feels redundant when it is zombies or aliens.
The plot loses its way about half way through, and struggles to recover.
The multiplayer is also weak, and I would have preferred a longer single player instead of what is on offer.
Having said that, the gameplay is generally excellent, the game looks superb, and there is a good deal to praise. Due to the weak multiplayer and slightly brief single-player, I would say download the demo first and then decide if "Dark Sector" is a purchase.
-Ian
Ratings
Manual:
81 % |
Graphics:
86% |
Music & Sfx:
80% |
GamePlay:
79% |
|
This game scores
 
on our 5-point Rating System
Up
Previous Page
If you want to review your favorite game, or if you work with a computer game company and want your products reviewed, mail info@playdevil.com.
All contributions are welcome.
Join Video Game Network Exchange
Any problems and/or suggestions are always appreciated on
webmaster@playdevil.com
Nothing of this entire Site, animation & logo's included, may be reproduced, stored, saved, transmitted, in any form or means, electronic, written or otherwise without the prior permission of PlayDevil.
Other Logos & Names are Copyrighted Material of its respectful owners.
All Rights Reserved.
PlayDevil Productions © 199/8-199/9-200/0-200/1-200/2-200/3-200/4-200/5-200/6-200/7-200/8
"rip your own stuff"
|
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
