No-one ever complains about safe and dependable cars. Companies like Volvo and
Subaru keep pumping out stolid, reliable cars that have basically looked the
same for the last 30 years. When it comes to games however, it is a different
story. Safety and reliability often lead to mediocre critical and commercial
success. Which is pretty much how Digital Extreme's over-the-shoulder shooter
was received in 2008 when it was released for the PC, 360 and PS3.
Dark
Sector itself, in a vacuum, has nothing much wrong with it. Quibbles with the
enemy AI could be raised, (with outrunning them and shooting them from behind
being a viable tactic), there is nothing about Dark Sector that jumps out as
being faulty. Indeed, with its very occasional mech driving, good enough story
and impressive physics there is a lot that the game does well. The problem is,
even by 2008, all of this had been done before, and better.
Comparisons
to Resident Evil 4 and Gears of War are common, and well-deserved. The brown
and gray environments match those of Resident Evil 4 as does the
over-the-shoulder perspective. There is cover-shooting available, but it's
often an encumbrance, with you able to shoot through the cover you have stuck
to. There is the RE4-like smart-mouthed weapons dealer, which I found mostly
useless given the lack of funds.
What differentiates the game is the
glaive weapon. It's basically a three-spoked razor-edged boomerang. You can
use it to cut down enemies, or more enjoyably, to solve room puzzles. You can
aim it toward a faulty electrical outlet to charge it, and then send it toward
an appliance that needs a jump-start. You can also imbue it with the properties
of ice and fire. Often though, particularly in combat, you will rely on one of
two weapons, which you can upgrade through the game. The glaive is too weak of
a weapon, and too slow in returning to you in heavy fire fights.
In the
PS3 version I played, you can apply an after-touch ability to the glaive while
it is in mid-air and use the dreaded Sixaxis controller to manipulate it. In
fact, you will be required to do this about 5-6 times in the game. What you are
asked to do with the Sixaxis will prompt you to think of what you would prefer
to do with the Sixaxis and a certain part of Kaz Hirai's anatomy. Fortunately,
in the option menu you can instead choose to apply after-touch using the right
analog stick.
The shooting in the game is pleasing enough, as are the
levels. The fire fights are pleasantly challenging and but for two parts of the
game (outside of Sixaxis control) most players won't become frustrated. The
mech levels are great fun also.
If you enjoy third-person shooters like
Resident Evil 4 or Gears of War, Dark Sector will certainly not disappoint, just
don't expect it to surprise.
*Also suggested is the 360 version if you
have the option, as the PS3 version does not support Trophies.
