In Darksiders, players assume the character of conflict, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who has been duped into causing a battle between heaven and hell, resulting in heaven’s loss and the enslavement of the Earth. The Charred Council has robbed him of his abilities, forcing him to return to Earth to punish those responsible for tricking him and causing Earth’s servitude. In addition to fighting hell’s minions, War must struggle with a horde of avenging angels keen on bringing him to justice. As a result, not every powerful demon encountered in the game must be defeated. When there are mutual interests, War can form alliances with some of them.
The game features third-person hack-and-slash gameplay and a wide range of weapons and combos. These can be leveled up and enhanced to provide active and passive abilities. Dodging, blocking, finishing off foes with a special move, double jumping and gliding with wings, scaling ledges, throwing objects in the environment, and a mix of ranged weapons and melee strikes are among the other actions. Blue souls are obtained by defeating foes. These can be exchanged for new attacks and equipment with the demon Vulgrim at various locations. Wrath is another effective assault method. Enemies leave yellow clouds of this substance behind, filling a meter to conduct particular actions. Most of the game is spent battling, with some platform puzzle components thrown in for good measure.
Additional sections have radically different gameplay, such as flying in the air, horseback fighting, and shooting angels out of the sky with a Redeemer ranged weapon. Although the levels are primarily linear, all areas can be revisited later in the game via Serpent Holes. As War gains new weapons and methods of attack, previously explored locations’ crystal walls can be smashed to reveal new goodies. War can fill a Chaos meter and transform it into his Chaos Form during the game. He changes into a gigantic demon that can quickly take out big groups of powerful adversaries.
The game encourages intense monitoring of the environment to find hidden objects and chests, as well as other trinkets. Some of these are used to replenish the health or Wrath meter, while others might lead to the creation of mighty armor.
