Darksiders: Warmastered Edition

The story of Darksiders: Warmastered Edition receives praise for its engaging narrative structure, epic scale, and immersive world-building, with many critics highlighting its ability to complement the game’s action-oriented gameplay. Eurogamer Italy and Push Square commend its focus on War’s redemption arc, describing it as a well-structured tale of conflict between good and evil, while SpazioGames notes its “deep and complex” twists and memorable characters like Samael and the Sentinella. The narrative’s blend of biblical mythology with apocalyptic themes is seen as compelling, particularly by critics like We Got This Covered and XGN, who emphasize its unique integration with gameplay mechanics. Additionally, voice acting—especially Mark Hamill’s performance as the Watcher—is frequently praised for adding depth and charm, while the Spanish dubbing (noted by Nintenderos) is highlighted as a standout element. The story’s dramatic tone and cohesive lore also resonate with reviewers like The Digital Fix, who appreciate its “compelling epic lore” and intriguing aesthetic. However, several critics critique the narrative for its lack of originality, thin character development, and reliance on clichéd tropes. Nintenderos and Wccftech point to a plot that feels dated, with War portrayed as a “dull anti-hero” and the story’s themes of angels and demons falling into predictable patterns. Cubed3 and Destructoid note the narrative’s emotional detachment, describing characters as “relatable like action figures” and the dialogue as overly serious without self-awareness. The first half of the game is often criticized for its “thin plot details” (ICXM) and lack of engagement, though some reviewers like XboxAddict acknowledge that later revelations improve the story’s momentum. Additionally, Digitally Downloaded and Areajugones mention pacing issues, with the latter pointing to empty open-world areas that detract from immersion despite the narrative’s ambition. Overall, critics agree that while Darksiders: Warmastered Edition’s story has aged unevenly, it remains a memorable and entertaining experience. Many praise its ability to balance action and storytelling, with Push Square and SpazioGames highlighting its strengths in world-building and character moments despite flaws. However, the narrative’s reliance on familiar archetypes and occasional pacing issues are recurring criticisms, as noted by Nintenderos, Wccftech, and Destructoid. The consensus leans toward appreciation for its bold themes and engaging premise, even if it doesn’t fully satisfy those seeking deeper emotional or original storytelling. As Critical Hit notes, the story’s unresolved ending and narrative gaps reflect the franchise’s broader challenges, yet its enduring appeal lies in its ability to captivate players through its unique blend of mythological grandeur and hack-and-slash gameplay.

The gameplay of Darksiders: Warmastered Edition is widely praised for its blend of action-adventure elements inspired by classics like God of War and The Legend of Zelda. Critics highlight its robust combat system, which features varied weapons, dynamic combos, and evolving abilities such as the Chaos Form and Ruina’s horse. Reviewers like Nintenderos and RPG Fan commend the satisfying progression mechanics, while Nintendo Life and IGN Spain note the balanced mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat. The remaster’s improved frame rate (60fps) enhances fluidity, as pointed out by Multiplayer.it, and the dungeon design—inspired by Zelda—is lauded for its creativity and environmental variety, with Hobby Consolas and Areajugones praising the maze-like structures and item-based progression. The game’s ability to merge hack-and-slash action with strategic exploration has kept it engaging despite its age. However, several critics point out significant drawbacks that detract from the experience. Issues like outdated mechanics, repetitive enemy encounters, and tedious backtracking are frequently mentioned. BaziCenter and Cubed3 criticize the rigid combo system and high enemy health, while SpazioGames and Eurogamer Italy note forced abilities and level design flaws. The game’s difficulty spikes and lack of side missions, as highlighted by SomosXbox and XBLA Fans, create frustration, and some mechanics—like the lock-on system on Switch (God is a Geek) or awkward camera controls (CGMagazine)—feel archaic. Additionally, GameSpew and Destructoid point to filler content and underdeveloped sections, such as on-rails shooter segments, which clash with the game’s core action-adventure identity. Overall, critics agree that Darksiders: Warmastered Edition remains a solid, enjoyable experience despite its age, but it struggles to compete with modern titles. While Critical Hit and We Got This Covered praise its enduring combat mechanics and engaging progression, others like BaziCenter and XGN acknowledge its dated elements. The consensus leans toward appreciation for its nostalgic charm and hybrid design, as noted by Nintenderos and Hobby Consolas, but with a clear understanding that it feels outdated in areas like enemy variety and technical polish. For fans of classic action-adventure games, the remaster offers a worthwhile revisit, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking cutting-edge mechanics.

The positives surrounding Darksiders: Warmastered Edition’s graphics and visual design are largely centered on the enhancements that modernize its 2010 origins. Many critics praised the improved textures, resolution, and frame rates across platforms. For instance, Windows Central noted sharper textures and better shadows on Xbox One, while Wccftech highlighted significant upgrades like 4K support, re-rendered cutscenes, and enhanced post-processing effects. The Jimquisition and Multiplayer.it (PS4) emphasized the game’s aged well, with improved resolution (up to 1080p/60fps) and cleaner landscapes. The art style by Joe Madureira was consistently lauded for its vivid, comic-book-inspired aesthetic, with IGN Spain and RPG Fan appreciating the striking lighting, dramatic contrasts, and unique environments like post-apocalyptic cathedrals. Impulsegamer even called the Switch version “gorgeous,” noting that environments no longer felt “last-gen.” These improvements, particularly on PC and consoles, were seen as a strong revitalization of the original’s visual identity. However, several critics pointed out limitations and dated elements that undermined the remaster’s potential. On Nintendo Switch, BaziCenter criticized low-quality textures, poor shadows, and outdated character models, calling the graphical fidelity “underwhelming.” Cubed3 highlighted scale inconsistencies, such as War appearing small in environments, while Everyeye.it (Switch) noted that textures and scenery lacked refinement compared to other platforms. CGMagazine and Destructoid pointed to unnatural animations and a “six-year-old” feel, with some critics like RPG Fan finding post-processing effects like vignettes distracting. Even on higher-end hardware, Windows Central and Hardcore Gamer noted lingering issues, such as blocky visuals on Xbox One or grey concrete buildings that felt out of place. The Switch’s performance modes (High Quality vs. High Performance) also revealed trade-offs, with Digital Chumps and Areajugones acknowledging texture errors and frame rate drops despite overall polish. The overall consensus among critics is that Warmastered Edition successfully revitalizes Darksiders’ visuals while retaining its original charm. While the remaster’s technical upgrades—such as 4K support, smoother animations, and enhanced textures—are widely appreciated, most agree that the game still shows its age. Digital Chumps and Critical Hit noted that the art style remains “visually striking” but acknowledged lingering 2010-era flaws. Platforms like PC and consoles received more substantial improvements than the Switch, which faced compromises in graphical fidelity. Despite these issues, the unique comic-book aesthetic by Joe Madureira and the game’s bold design choices (e.g., steampunk fantasy elements) were consistently praised as timeless. Ultimately, while Warmastered Edition isn’t a complete overhaul, it strikes a balance between honoring its roots and delivering a more polished experience for modern audiences.

The Sound Design and Music of Darksiders: Warmastered Edition received generally positive feedback, with many critics praising its immersive and atmospheric qualities. IGN Spain highlighted the impactful combat sounds and a strong musical score, while RPG Fan noted the "epic fantasy score" as effective despite the absence of a heavy metal soundtrack. COGconnected commended the haunting atmosphere created by composers from the God of War series, and GameSpew emphasized the "strong voice acting," particularly Troy Baker and Mark Hamill’s performances. Areajugones celebrated the orchestral soundtrack for its epic quality and mythological resonance, while Nintenderos and SpazioGames praised the Spanish and Italian voice acting, respectively, with Lorenzo Beteta’s portrayal of War and Mark Hamill’s role as the Sentinella standing out. Digitally Downloaded also highlighted the HD rumble on Nintendo Switch as a tactile enhancement that deepened immersion. However, several critics pointed to technical and localization issues that detracted from the audio experience. RPG Fan criticized persistent audio bugs, including desynced dialogue and cutscene skips, which remained unresolved despite patches. Vandal noted a "downgrade in voice acting quality" compared to the original, with the Spanish dub receiving particular criticism, though an English option with subtitles was available. SomosXbox and Everyeye.it (Switch) highlighted the absence of Spanish voiceover as a flaw, while the Italian dub faced issues like poor lip-sync and uneven performances. Digitally Downloaded on PC also mentioned inconsistent audio mixing that lowered music volume during key moments, and some reviewers, such as XBLA Fans and ZTGD, offered only brief or vague mentions of sound design without deeper analysis. These flaws, particularly in localized versions, created a mixed experience for players. Overall, the critics reached a balanced consensus, acknowledging the game’s strong musical foundation and voice acting while recognizing persistent technical shortcomings. The orchestral score and atmospheric elements were widely praised for enhancing the game’s dark, mythological tone, with many highlighting Mark Hamill’s performance as a standout. However, audio bugs, inconsistent localization quality, and mixing issues in certain versions tempered the experience. While some reviewers, like IGN Spain and COGconnected, expressed satisfaction with the audio design, others, such as RPG Fan and Vandal, emphasized that these flaws required further refinement. The mixed reception underscores that while Darksiders: Warmastered Edition’s sound design and music are largely effective, they are not without significant technical and regional imperfections.

The voice acting in Darksiders: Warmastered Edition is widely praised for its energetic performances and iconic casting, particularly highlighting Mark Hamill’s portrayal of the Watcher. Critics consistently commend his delivery as a standout, with many comparing it to his iconic Joker role, noting its humor, menace, and ability to elevate the game’s satirical tone (Push Square, RPG Fan, COGconnected, GameSpew). Liam O’Brien’s gravelly, stoic voice for War is similarly lauded for grounding the character in a brooding, mythic presence (RPG Fan, Destructoid). The English dubbing receives high marks for its over-the-top, larger-than-life style that matches the game’s grandiose and absurd narrative (Push Square, RPG Fan), while the Spanish dub (notably Lorenzo Beteta as War) is praised for its immersion and quality in some regions (Areajugones, Nintenderos). The original voice cast, including Troy Baker and Phil LaMarr, is also highlighted as a strength, with ZTGD noting stellar work across nearly every character. However, the remastered edition faces criticism regarding localization choices. Vandal and SomosXbox specifically point out that the Spanish dub in the remaster was perceived as inferior to the original, with some players expressing disappointment over its absence or quality. Additionally, Everyeye.it’s review of the Italian dub highlights subpar lip-sync and mediocre performances, detracting from immersion despite the game’s narrative strengths. Cubed3 criticizes the script for lacking self-awareness and emotional depth, which may have affected how voice acting resonated with some players. While most praise the English VA, a few reviews note that the remaster’s audio options were limited—such as the lack of dual-language support (Vandal) or uneven subtitle synchronization in localized versions (Everyeye.it). Overall, critics overwhelmingly view the voice acting as a strong suit of Darksiders: Warmastered Edition, with Mark Hamill and Liam O’Brien’s performances frequently cited as defining elements. While regional dubs like Spanish and Italian received mixed reactions—some praised for their quality (Areajugones, Nintenderos) and others criticized for technical flaws (Everyeye.it)—the English voice work remains a consistent highlight. The game’s bold, theatrical style aligns well with its darkly comedic tone, and the vocal performances contribute significantly to its charm and memorability. Despite minor criticisms about localization and technical issues in some dubs, the consensus is that the voice acting enhances the experience, making it a key strength of the remaster.

The technical performance of Darksiders: Warmastered Edition varies across platforms, with notable positives for newer hardware. On PS4, reviewers like IGN Spain and Eurogamer Italy praised improved frame rates (60fps) and enhanced resolution, highlighting smoother gameplay and better fluidity compared to the original. For Xbox One, SomosXbox and God is a Geek noted stable 60fps performance, with fixes for issues like slowdowns and texture pop-in, while The Digital Fix emphasized improved responsiveness. On Nintendo Switch, Multiplayer.it and GameSpew highlighted the port’s ability to run smoothly in performance mode (60fps), with some critics like GameGrin and Impulsegamer praising its "smooth as silk" experience across docked and handheld modes. PC versions, as reviewed by Destructoid and Wccftech, saw optimizations like higher resolutions and stable frame rates, though minor issues like audio hiccups persisted. However, technical challenges plagued several platforms. On PS4, RPG Fan criticized framerate drops, cutscene skips, and desynced dialogue despite patches, while Push Square noted persistent cutscene audio sync issues. The Nintendo Switch faced widespread criticism for inconsistent performance: BaziCenter and Screen Rant highlighted frame rate fluctuations (30 vs. 60fps) and screen freezes, while SpazioGames and Areajugones pointed to controller responsiveness flaws and camera glitches. FNintendo mentioned occasional freezing requiring restarts, though automatic saves mitigated this. On Xbox One, COGconnected noted control issues like a complex dodge-roll mechanic, and We Got This Covered mentioned minor screen tearing. PC reviewers like Everyeye.it reported long load times and audio issues, while Nintendo Switch’s Gameblog.fr flagged inconsistent frame rates when prioritizing resolution on TV. Overall, the remaster received mixed but generally favorable reviews, with modern consoles (PS4/Xbox One) offering smoother performance than older hardware. Critics like Multiplayer.it and Nintendo Life acknowledged Switch’s trade-offs between graphical fidelity and frame rate, while IGN Spain and Eurogamer Italy praised PS4/Xbox One’s stability and visual upgrades. Despite platform-specific flaws—such as the Switch’s optimization issues or PS4’s lingering bugs—the consensus was that Warmastered Edition successfully modernized the original, with technical improvements making it more accessible despite some imperfections. The game’s core mechanics remained intact, though critics like RPG Fan and Screen Rant emphasized that its technical shortcomings occasionally detracted from the experience.

The Replay Value of Darksiders: Warmastered Edition is viewed positively by several critics who highlight its enduring appeal through core design and nostalgic elements. Reviewers like Vandal note the game’s 15+ hours of content, hidden secrets, and exploration-focused mechanics that encourage revisiting areas for missed details or challenges. Similarly, SomosXbox praises its “cult classic” status, emphasizing that improved visuals and a blend of nostalgia make it Worth Playing again. God is a Geek and Hardcore Gamer commend the satisfying gameplay loop of unlocking abilities and backtracking, which they argue remains engaging despite the game’s age. Additionally, PLAY! Zine’s reviewer, who played the game seven times over 19 years, underscores its replayability through varied gameplay elements and exploration, suggesting that the experience resonates with dedicated fans. However, several critics point to limitations in replayability due to a lack of new content and repetitive design. PlayStation Universe and XGN argue that the remaster offers no significant updates, making it a “one-time experience” for returning players who already completed the original. TrueAchievements and SpazioGames note that without side missions or post-game content, the game’s appeal diminishes over time, while Nintenderos criticizes its linear structure and aging design as barriers to long-term engagement. COGconnected and FNintendo also mention that newcomers benefit more from the polished presentation, but returning players may find limited incentive to revisit. The repetition in later levels, as highlighted by PlayStation Universe, further reduces the game’s ability to sustain interest beyond its initial playthrough. Overall, critics present a mixed consensus, with many acknowledging the game’s nostalgic charm and core mechanics as key strengths, while others emphasize its limitations for returning players. Multiplayer.it and COGconnected suggest that the remaster’s value lies in its accessibility for newcomers and the comfort of familiarity for veterans, though they concede that replayability is constrained by the absence of new content. Meanwhile, NintendoWorldReport and SomosXbox highlight its lasting appeal through combat and dungeon design, even as Vandal and Cubed3 acknowledge that its age and repetitive elements may deter some. The general sentiment leans toward viewing Darksiders: Warmastered Edition as a worthwhile but niche experience, best suited for fans seeking nostalgia or those willing to overlook its flaws for the sake of its engaging core gameplay.