Dark Sector (XBOX 360) Review - Video Games Reloaded

N-Galaxy

Rated O

Dark Sector (XBOX 360) By: Adam Waddilove

If Gears of War and Resident Evil 4 had a baby, this would be it

Dark Sector thrusts players into the role of Hayden Tenno, a covert operative sent on a dangerous mission into Lasria – an Eastern European city on the brink of ruin that hides a deadly Cold War secret. In the midst of Dark Sector's first mission, Hayden is attacked by an unknown enemy and infected by the Technocyte Virus - a brutal bio-weapon that twists it’s victims into mindless killing machines. Surviving this attack, Hayden finds that the Technocyte virus has granted him powerful, inhuman abilities unlike anything he has ever seen. Now, he and the Dark Sector player must evolve with his powers, survive and become a hero.

Dark Sector Features:

Created by acclaimed developer Digital Extremes: Dark Sector is a new and original 3rd-person action-shooter designed exclusively for next-generation gaming. A dark, gritty experience packed with fast action, incredible superpowers and an engaging story; Dark Sector represents the next evolution of action.

All new, all original action-shooter: Dark Sector introduces an exciting new world and characters to gamers. Throughout the course of the game, Dark Sector players will witness Hayden’s transformation into something more than he was as he fights against the Technocyte Virus taking over his body and the effects it has on his psyche.

Evolution powers: After infection by the Technocyte, Hayden gains incredible superhuman powers – including the deadly, bladed glaive that he can grow from his arm and use and throw with deadly accuracy. In Dark Sector, Hayden will grow with these powers as they evolve and become more powerful throughout the game.

Cinematic and immersive experience: Through a lack of HUD, presence of intuitive controls and a third-person over the shoulder viewpoint; everything about Dark Sector is designed with the goal of keeping the player immersed in the game at all times; focused on gameplay and not gameplay management.

Innovative multiplayer component: Dark Sector features an innovative and exciting multiplayer gameplay that will allow players to utilise the skills they have learned in the single-player game to excel in a competitive environment.

Dark Sector has seen quite a few changes over the years, and somewhere in that transitional process came this final product. One that mixes a combination of gameplay elements from a few classic shooters. Examples of this can be seen throughout, be it the cover system that looks taken from Gears or the over-the-shoulder aim that looks like Leon’s view from Resi 4, it’s all here.

However, the game also has a unique weapon that hasn’t been used before like this. The Glaive, which is a boomerang-type weapon that will cut off enemy limbs, absorb elements like fire and electricity and some other surprises. The elements are used mainly for puzzles like burning trees that block paths or directing electricity to a switch so a door can open, it’s simple stuff but good nonetheless.

After a few levels, you’ll get an ability for the Glaive called AfterTouch which allows you to take control of it in mid-air and direct it at your enemies, so if you are looking for a decapitation, you need to get it just right. The one problem is the reach isn’t that far, so you’ll need to get close enough for the throw or it’ll just come back.

The handy thing about the Glaive is that it’s a dual-wield weapon, so you can use a sidearm like a pistol while using it. You can use rifles and rocket launchers, but not in conjunction with the Glaive. Enemy weapons can be gathered but will detonate after a short time, so you’ll need to hurry up using all the bullets or it’ll go to waste.

The story itself is quite gripping, even if it doesn’t have the most original plot. Essentially, you go on an assassination mission but it goes wrong. You become infected with the virus you’ve been trying to kill off, oh the irony! You’ll gain upgraded abilities and weapon attachments throughout the game, the latter can be applied to your guns in the Black Market, which you can find at any manhole leading to the sewers. But to buy extra guns, you’ll need to find hidden rubles throughout the levels. But save your cash to a certain limit and you’ll get a nice little achievement.

The campaign is a little on the short side however, it’s all over too soon. Despite some immense gun battles and fighting huge monsters, it lacks any real depth. It’s definitely linear to say the least, but that’s not to say it’s a bad game; it’s just not a very long one. Multiplayer is somewhat basic with two modes. One where you are all infected with the virus and fight each other, or the other which is like the Juggernaut mode of Halo where one player is infected and the others have to kill him, the one who does get the virus and so on. It’s very simple stuff and may disappoint some expecting a wide variety of game types.

Graphically, the game looks fantastic (even if the main character looks incredibly odd) although the framerate does seem to jump up and down throughout, it can be running smoothly at one point, then not so smoothly and then it’ll run a faster framerate than before, it’s a bit unpredictable. Character models aren’t the best looking, but they do a good enough job. The levels and particle effects all look top notch, it’s just a shame that the AfterTouch move on the Glaive is incredibly blurry, so it’s difficult to see enemies sometimes. Voice-work is quite good, although not perfect in any regard. The same goes for the soundtrack that the game has, it’s all a mixed bag. Which sums up the package as a whole really.

The Verdict

Dark Sector isn’t going to revolutionise third-person shooters, essentially it takes elements from Gears and Resi 4 to make an enjoyable, yet brief shooter. The Glaive is fun to use, but it never seems to reach as far as you want it to and the elemental puzzles are a little too simple. Multiplayer is a little too basic for some, but as a whole package, its good but not great.