FPS (First Person Shooter) have been one of the pinnacles of video game success since Castle Wolfenstein 3D and Doom. But over the years, FPS games would sometimes re-use the same themes like WW2 and SciFi. FPS fans have been wanting something very new and if you're one of those fans then you're in for a rare treat. High Moon Studios' new FPS game, Darkwatch, blends spaghetti western and vampire horror into one interesting package. Here's my review on Darkwatch.
Plot: The game stars Jericho Cross, an outlaw/drifter looking for one last score. The train that our anti-hero is about to rob is really the property of an elite secret society known as the Darkwatch. Jericho unknowingly frees a sinister vampire king known as Lazarus Malkoth. Lazarus attacks Jericho and bites him, thus transforming him into a dhampir. Now Jericho must join the Darkwatch to save the Wild West and his own soul from the vampire curse, not to mention seek vengeance on Lazarus with his new vampire abilities. 5/5
Graphics: The graphics are breath-taking in this game. everything from weapons to the stitches on Jericho's gloves. The characters are very well detailed and high-res except for Jericho of course. Don't get me wrong, Jericho looks very awesome but he looks like a character straight out of a Frank Miller graphic novel. Other than that, Darkwatch is a graphical achievement. 4.5/5
Sound: the sound is very well done. The western theme music is very good and atmospheric in nature. The voice-actors did a very good job on their roles although Jericho doesn't speak but the old saying goes, "actions speak louder than words." Sounds of enemies losing body parts, explosions, and guns firing are worth hearing. 5/5
Gameplay: Darkwatch draws its inspiration from the Halo games such as carrying two weapons and the vampire shield but that doesn't detract the originality of the game. Jericho has a nice array of vampire powers like the vampire jump, the vampire shield, and the blood vision while most of the abilities are based on moral choices. Choosing which path Jericho will take will affect the outcome of the game. The controls of the game are slick and responsive and the AI exhibits a good amount of intelligence. 5/5
Capcom and High Moon Studios really crafted a truly unique game here. I know High Moon Studios will become the next id Software and continue to come up with more interesting ideas in the years to come.
Final Review: 5/5
Plot: The game stars Jericho Cross, an outlaw/drifter looking for one last score. The train that our anti-hero is about to rob is really the property of an elite secret society known as the Darkwatch. Jericho unknowingly frees a sinister vampire king known as Lazarus Malkoth. Lazarus attacks Jericho and bites him, thus transforming him into a dhampir. Now Jericho must join the Darkwatch to save the Wild West and his own soul from the vampire curse, not to mention seek vengeance on Lazarus with his new vampire abilities. 5/5
Graphics: The graphics are breath-taking in this game. everything from weapons to the stitches on Jericho's gloves. The characters are very well detailed and high-res except for Jericho of course. Don't get me wrong, Jericho looks very awesome but he looks like a character straight out of a Frank Miller graphic novel. Other than that, Darkwatch is a graphical achievement. 4.5/5
Sound: the sound is very well done. The western theme music is very good and atmospheric in nature. The voice-actors did a very good job on their roles although Jericho doesn't speak but the old saying goes, "actions speak louder than words." Sounds of enemies losing body parts, explosions, and guns firing are worth hearing. 5/5
Gameplay: Darkwatch draws its inspiration from the Halo games such as carrying two weapons and the vampire shield but that doesn't detract the originality of the game. Jericho has a nice array of vampire powers like the vampire jump, the vampire shield, and the blood vision while most of the abilities are based on moral choices. Choosing which path Jericho will take will affect the outcome of the game. The controls of the game are slick and responsive and the AI exhibits a good amount of intelligence. 5/5
Capcom and High Moon Studios really crafted a truly unique game here. I know High Moon Studios will become the next id Software and continue to come up with more interesting ideas in the years to come.
Final Review: 5/5