In a world where apocalypse is on a tight schedule, who better to have on your side than War, the most brooding of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? Darksiders: Warmastered Edition hits the Nintendo Switch, bringing along its chunky combat, puzzling dungeons, and a somewhat hefty amount of dramatic flair. Does this beefy adventure hold its ground or crumble under the weight of its own sword? Let's find out in this hilarious dipsy-doodle into Darksiders' challenge-filled universe.
Gameplay in Darksiders revolves around War, a large dude who is probably more than a little angry that he’s been framed for the apocalypse (spoiler alert). The controls aren’t overly complicated, which is good because no one wants to wax poetic about complex programming in a video game review. You’ll take on hordes of demons, angels, and all sorts of nasty creatures, using a variety of weapons and abilities. It’s a bit like trying to chop an onion while watching a movie where the lead actor is simultaneously trying to wrestle a bear. Challenge-wise, Darksiders is all about balance. You’re going to die. A lot. Like, “how many times must a gamer die before they learn the boss's attack pattern?” levels of frustration. Every battle requires you to be alert. The bigger the monster, the bigger the learning curve. You’ll need to study their attack patterns and dodge and counter like you’re a ninja in a bar fight. But hey, every mishap is an excuse to chug more of that sweet, sweet health potion, so it’s all good, right? War’s arsenal includes his legendary sword, the Chaoseater (and yes, it sounds like a Destiny weapon, but it’s cooler than that), along with some snazzy ranged options like firearms and hooks that would make any fisherman proud. While the main challenge comes from combat, you’ll also be solving puzzles that make you feel like you’ve walked into the genius section of a library and forgot everything you knew about Box & Block puzzles. If you break a sweat, pat yourself on the back—puzzles are like the bosses’ little siblings; they’re annoying, but you must deal with them anyway to progress. The game also lets you ride your horse, Ruin, which is pretty neat—imagine galloping through post-apocalyptic landscapes while battling enemies, feeling like a true Horseman (minus the guilt). The open-world aspect invites exploration; my advice? Look for chests to loot and souls to collect; you’ll need every advantage to tackle the harder content later on.
Visually, the Warmastered Edition cleans up pretty well! If the original Darksiders was an impressive meal, then the Warmastered Edition is the lovely plate it’s served on. The art style makes up for its age with bold colors and well-like-enough character designs. Horny demons? Check. Brooding protagonists? Double check! The Switch may lack the graphical horsepower of other consoles, but somehow, it continues to look sharp. Framerate drops? Only when there’s so much chaos happening that the console screams in terror. But otherwise, it runs smoother than the bouncer at a bar on a Tuesday night. As for environments, the game offers a plethora of settings—damn, you’ll see everything from ruined cities to temples that seem to have been designed by a mad architect. So much gothic architecture, you’ll think your art history professor was dropped in a world of nightmares. Overall, it won’t break any records but it sure is pretty enough to please the keenest eyes.
So, should you pick up Darksiders: Warmastered Edition for the Switch? Absolutely! If you enjoy grinding through challenges, dying repeatedly, and yelling at your screen in frustration while hearing the sweet chime of loot, then this is the game for you. Though it may remind you that life, like War on a rampage, can be messy, at least you do it with a handsome horse and a snazzy sword. The game strikes a balance between difficulty and fun, making it a worthy addition to your gaming library. Final score? A solid 8/10. Can you handle the apocalypse? Who knows, but can you handle a horseman with anger issues? Try it out and let the fun chaos begin!