Darksiders: An Epic Saga of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse

A dark journey filled with action, mythology and epic battles between forces beyond the human world.

In the vast universe of games, few mythologies are as captivating as that of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The franchise Darksiders took this premise and transformed it into an unforgettable action-adventure saga, with a striking visual identity and gameplay that evolved with each title. As a gamer who followed this journey from the beginning, I can say that diving into this universe is a unique experience.

The series places us in the shoes of each of the Knights, powerful beings who serve the Council of Flames to maintain the balance between Heaven and Hell. When the Apocalypse is unleashed on Earth before its time, a web of conspiracy is revealed, and it's up to our protagonists to unravel the truth, each with their own mission and combat style.

The Beginning of the Journey: War and the Breaking of the Seventh Seal

The first Darksiders, released in 2010, introduces us to War, the Red Rider. He is summoned to Earth in the middle of a cataclysmic battle between angels and demons, only to discover he has been deceived. Accused of prematurely starting the end times and decimating humanity, War is stripped of his powers and sentenced to death by the Council.

Your only chance for redemption is to return to the devastated Earth a hundred years later to hunt down those responsible for the conspiracy. The gameplay of the first game is a brilliant mix of combat hack and slash, inspired by classics such as God of War, with the exploration and solving of puzzles reminiscent of the structure of The Legend of Zelda. This combination proved to be an immediate success.

Controlling War is feeling the weight of each swing of your sword, the Chaoseater. Combat is methodical and brutal, requiring the player to learn enemy patterns to attack and defend at the right moment. As we progress, we unlock new weapons and abilities, such as the cross blade and the ability to transform into a colossal demonic creature, the Chaos Form, which elevates destructive power to another level.

The level design is another highlight. Exploring a post-apocalyptic Earth, with ruined cathedrals and cities reclaimed by nature, is a visually striking experience. Each dungeon is a giant puzzle, with secrets and challenges that reward the player's curiosity. The first Darksiders established the foundations of a rich and promising universe, leaving everyone eager for what was to come.

The Arrival of Death: A New Perspective in Darksiders II

Two years later, Darksiders II arrived to expand the universe in a way few expected. This time, we take control of Death, the most feared and agile of the Horsemen. The story takes place parallel to the events of the first game, with Death embarking on a personal quest to prove his brother War's innocence and resurrect humanity.

The main change was the gameplay approach. The game abandoned the more linear structure of its predecessor and embraced elements of Role-playing game with a much vaster and more open world. The introduction of a system of loot was the big difference: enemies defeated and chests scattered around the map drop weapons and armor with random stats, encouraging the player to create builds and experiment with different playstyles.

The combat has also been redesigned to reflect Death's personality. Instead of War's brute force, Death is a swift and acrobatic fighter, using two scythes as his primary weapon. The movement is fluid, with parkour abilities that make exploring the gigantic environments a fun activity in itself. The skill tree, or skill tree, allows specializing Death in direct combat or necromantic abilities, adding another layer of customization.

The game world is immense and diverse, taking the player to realms such as the Forge of the Makers and the Realm of the Dead. The art direction, again under the influence of Joe Madureira, is spectacular, creating memorable landscapes and enemies with creative designs. Darksiders II It was an ambitious and successful step, showing that the franchise wasn't afraid to innovate.

The Unleashed Fury: Return to Roots with Fury

After a long hiatus and the bankruptcy of the original THQ, the series returned under the THQ Nordic label with Darksiders III. The protagonist this time is Fury, the only woman among the Knights, tasked by the Council with hunting down and defeating the Seven Deadly Sins, who escaped to Earth during the Apocalypse.

Darksiders III promoted another significant change to the gameplay, this time drawing inspiration from the genre Souls-like. Combat has become more technical and punishing, with a strong emphasis on dodging and counter-attacking. Each encounter, even against common enemies, demands attention and precision, while boss fights, the Seven Deadly Sins, are true tests of skill and patience.

Fury uses a whip as her primary weapon, which provides interesting reach and a unique fighting style. Throughout the journey, she acquires “Hollows,” elemental forms (Fire, Storm, Force, and Stasis) that not only change her appearance and secondary weapon but also grant new exploration abilities. This mechanic creates a world design in the style of Metroidvania, where the player needs to return to old areas with new powers to access previously blocked paths.

Although it divided opinions due to its high difficulty and smaller scope compared to the second game, Darksiders III It's a valuable addition to the saga. It offers a rewarding challenge and develops Fury's complex personality, showing her growth from an arrogant mage to a protector dedicated to balance.

Genesis: Cooperation Before the End

To the surprise of many, the next title was not the anticipated fourth game, but rather a prequel spin-off called Darksiders Genesis. This game completely changed the perspective, adopting an isometric camera, similar to games like Diablo. The big news was the introduction of the fourth and final Horseman as a playable character: Strife.

Genesis can be played solo or in mode co-op local and online. In single-player mode, the player can instantly switch between War, with its melee combat, and Conflict, with its pistols and ranged attack-focused playstyle. This dynamic creates versatile and fun gameplay, allowing the player to adapt their strategy for each situation.

The story takes place long before the events of the first game, showing War and Strife on a mission to thwart Lucifer's plans. The game expands the lore From the universe, deepening the relationship between the two brothers and offering a glimpse into the workings of the Council and the political machinations between Heaven and Hell. It was a clever way to introduce Conflict to fans and show that the franchise can reinvent itself across different genres.

The Legacy and Future of the Saga

What makes the saga Darksiders Its ability to transform with each chapter, while maintaining a cohesive narrative and a fascinating universe, is so special. Each game reflects its protagonist's personality, offering a distinct gameplay experience that still feels like part of a larger whole. The art direction, inspired by Joe Madureira's comics, is the common thread that gives the series a unique and unmistakable visual identity.

The future of the franchise is a subject of much speculation among fans. The logical conclusion would be a Darksiders IV focused on Conflict, in a third-person action format, to complete each Knight's individual journey. However, all players' ultimate dream is a Darksiders V, a game that finally unites the four Horsemen, allowing them to fight together to face the great conspiracy that permeates the entire saga.

Regardless of the path THQ Nordic chooses, the legacy of Darksiders It's already consolidated. It's a series that has survived industry challenges and has always delivered epic adventures, with charismatic characters and incredible worlds to explore. Each game is a gateway to a richly detailed universe that continues to captivate veteran and novice players alike.

Explore the saga Darksiders embark on an action-packed apocalyptic journey of mystery and redemption. If you haven't had the chance to ride alongside these legendary heroes yet, know that one of the best adventures in the gaming world awaits you. Who is your favorite Knight?