3. Darksiders Genesis
The latest installment embraces a Diablo-esque style, complete with an isometric camera view and frantic co-operative action. Darksiders Genesis puts you in the shoes of both War and Strife, who is a first time playable character in the series.
With a more linear level design and Diablo style approach, it could easily be mistaken that Darksiders Genesis is another misstep much like Darksiders III. On the contrary, it’s the complete opposite and embraces its roots while experimenting with its gameplay styles. This time around both War and Strife are sent to track down Lucifer and discover his plans to turn other demons to his dastardly cause. Taking place before the original trilogy, this is also a perfect entry point for newcomers.
It’s easy to dismiss Darksiders Genesis as another rip-off of a popular franchise, but this entry packs a lot of personality in a tighter and more concise package. Instead of an open world to explore, it’s been stripped back to a simple level system. But each level packs the style of the first two games complete with solid puzzles, cathartic combat and a lush and extravagant world to explore.
Having that perfect balance of old with the new paves a smoother way for fans rather than the complete switch Darksiders III made. It’s also lighter in tone than previous entries, with Strife providing much needed comic relief in a series that has been plagued with an unnecessary need to be overly serious.
The addition of co-op is also fantastic, with each player having a varied skill set as both War and Strife, War being the more muscular delivers hard hitting and satisfying blows the the hordes of demons that plague the world. Strife, however, is a lot more agile with fast speed to quickly maneuver the battlefield and turn the tide of combat.
Darksiders Genesis comes at a time when the future of the series was left uncertain by the poorly received and sold Darksiders III. It comes to show that the franchise still has enough horsepower to combat the apocalypse.
