Video Game Ruminations - The Darkness (2007)

I've been on a bit of a hobby lull for the past couple of weeks, so I figured I'd switch gears and get through one of the many video games that have been sitting in my library unplayed. I perused the vast collection and choose to play 'The Darkness', a game which unfortunately never made it's way to PC and was released exclusively on consoles (PS3 and Xbox 360) in 2007.  Having played through the game over the course of a week, I am able to say it easily makes my list of recommended games.

The Darkness (2007)

The Darkness tells the story of Jackie Estacado, an Italian-American hitman working for the New York mafia. On his 21st birthday, Jackie finds himself the target of an assassination attempt enacted by his adoptive father 'Uncle' Paulie Franchetti, following a failed effort to retrieve a large sum of money for him on a previous job. Jackie survives this attempt on his life, escaping to the nearby Trinity cemetery and hiding in the public bathroom nearby. Jackie subsequently finds himself possessed by a being known as 'The Darkness', an ancient entity inherited by every first born in his familial line which manifests on their 21st birthday.With this new found power, Jackie embarks on a crusade of revenge against Uncle Paulie and his associates.

 

The Darkness is a first person shooter at it's most basic level; Jackie has access to a range of different guns: dual pistols, shotguns and assault rifles amongst others which are picked up over the course of the game. The shooting mechanics are satisfactory for the most part, although at times can feel rather loose or floaty (especially when auto aim randomly interrupts your crosshair movements).

The unique gameplay elements are provided by the Darkness itself. Jackie can manifest two eel like tendrils which both defend him from attacks and possess a variety of abilities; 'creeping darkness' for example allows the player to control one of these tendrils, attacking enemies from around corners or accessing otherwise unreachable areas. Imp like creatures, 'Darklings', can also be summoned by the player to assist in combat and provide their own distinct brand of commentary.

 

Light plays an important role in The Darkness, Jackie can only manifest the Darkness if has been able to feed off 'darkness energy', present only in unlit areas. The player is thusly more powerful if an effort is made to destroy any light sources in the vicinity; the darkness is actively hurt in the presence of light.

So apart from being a middling first person shooter with some original mechanics, what makes The Darkness worth playing? Excellent storytelling and characterisation.

The majority of people in Jackie's world are deplorable, horrible people; murderers, crime lords, drug dealers. Yet despite this, they are all inherently likeable, they feel like real people. Many of the game's side missions involve simply helping people solve small problems; finding a lost bracelet, finding a lost friend or intimidating a bully. Even the Darkness itself is an enjoyable, if psychotic, character, suffering from a constant need for control and insatiable desire to feed on human life.

Jackie's girlfriend Jenny plays a pivotal role of the game's plot; she is the only character presented with any innocence. Upon first meeting in her new apartment, it is possible to sit with her and watch the entirety of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' on the television. You as the player actively want to care about this character.

A refreshing emphasis is placed on player initiative; the player must work out where to go in the small semi-open world (there are no big waypoint arrows) using street maps, sign posts and subway information terminals for directions. No hints are provided at particularly difficult puzzle or gameplay sections, the player must work out which abilities to use to advance. I will admit to having to consult a walkthrough at times, although I consider that a positive; too many modern games hand-hold and direct the player constantly.

The game deals with a number of emotional themes, combining these with both mundane and supernatural elements, leading to a satisfying, if not predictable course of events. The Darkness is well worth picking up if you want to enjoy a decent first person shooter with a more mature subject matter.

The Darkness 2 is also sitting in my game library; I look forward to continuing Jackie's story.