Darkwatch Review (no fat)

Game Description

At the core of the game, you have a secret society called Darkwatch, that strives to rid the land of any evil that lurks with a purpose. The protagonist, Jericho Cross, a train-robber who was bitten by a vampire, joins Darkwatch and takes on the forces of Lazarus, a demon who Cross accidentally unleashed. Cast in a Western setting, Darkwatch is eerie and boasts lightning fast action.

Jericho Cross is blessed with many abilities and armed to the teeth with a slew of lethal weapons. Use them well as you hunt down armies of the undead and eventually, Lazarus.

Darkwatch Gameplay

The eerie atmosphere of Darkwatch backed by great graphics sets the mood for a great gaming experience, one that is fairly easy to sink into. As Jericho Cross, you pack an arsenal that ranges from medieval to modern and includes guns, rocket launchers, crossbows and so on. You are also blessed with special vampire abilities, the pick of the lot being the radical blood vision that highlights enemies and power-ups for easy pickings. Other abilities include the ability to do a double jump and maneuver in mid air and a blood shield that acts as a great defense mechanism.

You are not alone in your quest as other members of Darkwatch join you and assist you as you make short work of the undead. Two female Darkwatch members move along with you, taking out as many undead as they can and displaying a great degree of skill while doing it.

As an interesting twist, you can choose to align yourself with the Good or Evil side, which depends on the decisions you make during the game. The abilities that are acquired and then based on which side you align yourself with. The game has a rather short single player mission which does pack a lot of punch in spite of it's limited duration. Jericho also encounters a whole lot of cursed souls during his capers, some of which serve as food while others give him special abilities.

At it's best, the game is a straightforward shooter with a unique storyline and great action. The only thing that works against it is the fact that it's a game that can be completed fairly quick. The online multiplayer option is a great option for boosting the replay value.

Darkwatch Graphics & Sound

Full marks to High Moon for striking a great balance between graphical brilliance and gameplay. The graphics capture the underlying theme very well with well rendered sprites, impressive weapon and damage effects and eerie atmospheres. Probably the best aspect of the graphics engine is the fact that it allows fluid, responsive movement of the central character.

The soundtrack consists of western tunes that add a nice touch to the whole experience. Voice acting is also great and features Rose McGowan of the Charmed series lending her voice to Tala, Jericho's partner in carnage.

Darkwatch – Blood and Water

Darkwatch packs all the right ingredients to make a successful FPS game. A powerful protagonist, hordes of evil to vanquish, an impressive arsenal and range of abilities, the dark setting and unique storyline add up to a great gaming experience. The single player levels offer tighter action than the multiplayer mode. The presence of online gaming that comprises of unique maps and missions is as welcome as ever.

Darkwatch Cost

Darkwatch currently retails at $36.95US.