Dark Sector Review

By Coxster

Thanks to the OFLC, we had to import Dark Sector so that we could bring you this review. Dark Sector is the latest title to be refused classification in Australia due to our backward laws and the reluctance by the religious right to create a R18+ rating that would bring us closer to the same standards that are employed in the UK and America. Well since the same people that make up the classification laws (and yes I am aware that there is one particular individual at the heart of this shitstorm) have refused this game to be sold in Australia

until the content is changed, I would like to put forth that there is something fishy going on as Dark Sector is no more violent than most games on the market today. Regardless, I refuse to accept that the Government will dictate to me what I can and can't play, I refuse to accept that the Government somehow think they are my parents all of a sudden, and I refuse to accept that the Government knows what's best for me when it comes to videogames. So I got online, clicked a few buttons and got Dark Sector sent to me instead, to hell with what the Government may think.

The latest rumor is that Dark Sector's developers have agreed to cut content so that it will comply with the shitty Australian standards, so it won't be long until the gamers of Australia have a chance to get their hands on it. In saying that, Australian gamers shouldn't have to wait, by the time it is released here, it will be old news around the world and is another prime example on why the Australian industry needs to be more active in getting these laws changed. If it doesn't get its act together they are forcing people to break laws so that we are given the same opportunities to play the same games that the rest of the world to enjoy. Anything less is just not an option anymore.

Now that I have my rant about censorship in Australia out of the way, is Dark Sector actually a good game or not?

If Resident Evil 4 and Gears of War met and fell in love and then had a son, that son would be Dark Sector. It borrows a lot from these games and while it doesn't succeed on every level, Dark Sector has enough going for it to recommend that you import it from overseas (or wait until it is finally released here, but you will probably still be playing GTA 4 when it does).

The story revolves around Hayden Tenno, your typical special ops type of badass (although does have an emo haircut) who is on a secret mission to stop a virus that has popped up that makes people turn into zombies. If you want to know the story, look at RE4 as it's almost identical apart from one little thing. During the first mission (and I won't spoil anything for you here) something happens to Hayden that see his arm starting to mutate into metal, oddly enough it has also created a three pronged blade called 'The Glaive" which you can use to slice and dice your way through many zombie hordes…bliss. While the story is largely forgettable and disjointed there are plenty of wow moments to keep you playing through.

The biggest thing going for Dark Sector is that is one of the best looking games ever. I'm not fibbing! The graphics are amazing! The haunting environments and subdued colour palette all look beautiful on a HD display. There is minimal slowdown or screen tearing and the animations are all beautifully rendered. If you liked the way Gears of War looked and played, you are going to adore Dark Sector's visuals and mechanics. From the zoom on your gun to the roadie run, everything that is in Dark Sector is heavily based on GOW.

The superb graphics and gameplay are products of the Evolution engine which has been created from the ground up by Digital Extremes (hehe…extreme) and looks so incredible that the graphics could past for a pre-rendered video. We haven't played it on the Xbox 360, but it is nothing but pure eye candy on the PS3. The warm lighting effects, the excellent reflections and level design all combine to provide one hell of a game to show off to graphic whores. Seriously in some ways it actually looks better than Uncharted and Gears of War. When you also throw in the fact that this is Digital Extremes' first game, it's comes as no surprise how impressed I am.

Of course there are a few things that Dark Sector should be criticized for, namely the way that levels can look a little bit samey and the game does start to wear out it's welcome near the end. Even though I love zombies, the zombies offered here is just the run-at-you-until-you-kill-them variety. Their behavior and speed can be quite annoying and add to the fact that Hayden can be a bit slow to turn around, you'll often come across packs of zombies who are already attacking you before you saw them coming. It's more frustrating than anything, but if you can forgive that little setback Dark Sector is one hell of a ride. Upgrading the glaive and weapons are a bit unbalanced considering that you can only upgrade your weapons with small amounts of money that are hiding around the levels and since there isn't a lot of money to be found, some of the more exotic weaponry will not get unlocked before the conclusion of the game.

The upgrades to the glaive happen on various levels that require you to perform a particular function, and it's until every effect that the glaive is capable of is unlocked does it become the most kick-arse weapon ever. However by the time you have unlocked all the abilities and become almost invincible, the game ends and you're back to square one. Just when it started really kicking up a notch it ends…I was kind of disappointed.

The boss battles in Dark Sector are definitely a highlight as there are some exciting and epic bosses to take down. There is one huge creature you have to face. He is smashing up the church and throwing large chunks of masonry at you as you use the glaive to take him down. The environment is huge and the sense of scale is wondrous. You can also use the glaive to free water, explode fires or deflect enemy fire. It truly is one of videogame's greatest weapons (nothing can beat the chainsaw gun) and should be remembered for trying to offer something different.

Dark Sector will provide you with a heap of entertainment and action fans are going to love everything about this game. There is some repetition and faulty upgrade mechanics working against it, but for the most part Digital Extremes should be proud of the game they have created. I can't wait to see what they have in store next as their eye for detail is truly impressive. The story is largely hit and miss but the multiplayer is fun even if many modes are lacking.

This is a stunning example of how great a game can look on the PS3 and I give it a definite thumbs up and suggest you either order a import copy or wait for the censored version to eventually show up, either way throw up a middle finger to the censoring conservatives and claim your right to play what you want when you want. Good work Digital Extremes and I can't wait to see what you guys release next. To hell with these draconian laws and grab yourself a copy of Dark Sector.