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 returnign 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 ceratinly not disapoint, 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.
