Over a year removed from its previous entry in Darksiders III, the series returns with a new spinoff prequel entitled Darksiders Genesis. In the first title to introduce Strife and revive War as playable characters you can either control both at will or invite a friend for co-op in this top-down, semi-open action game that focuses more on the Underworld & Hell compared to previous titles in the series.

Darksiders Genesis 2019-2020 top-down hack n slash game, it is developed by Airship Syndicate and published by THQ Nordic. It is currently available on PC, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Google Stadia.

Editor’s Note: A review copy of Darksiders Genesis was provided by THQ Nordic in support of this review. Near complete to complete spoilers for Darksiders Genesis may be present within this review. Minor overall spoilers for the Darksiders franchise may be present in this review as well.

Horseman Strife makes his long-awaited debut in Darksiders Genesis.

Inner conflict and war has begun in Hell and Four Horsemen War and Strife must work together to stop what Satan has started. In order to preserve the balance between worlds the duo travel to the Underworld to stop the Lords of Hell from killing one another before it disrupts the world order. During their travels they obtain and use demonic weaponry to aide in battle as well as helping them traverse the dark dimensions of the Underworld.

THQ Nordic brings co-op to Darksiders in Genesis.

THE GOOD: While Darksiders III received decent reception at launch it felt like a first step of many in bringing the franchise back to it’s former glory. Darksiders Genesis, fortunately takes what was learned from Darksiders III and succeeds where it failed in providing one of the best Darksiders experience possible. At first glance Darksiders Genesis looks almost nothing like a Darksiders game aesthetic aside of course however when you actually get behind a controller or keyboard and play it’s very much a Darksiders game and what fans of the series should come to expect from a new entry. Combat is what you’d expect of the Darksiders franchise with your standard heavy and light attacks and some special moves that Strife & War can use that are unique to them. You can travel on foot or on horse throughout the world map with some environmental puzzles blocking certain paths.

Darksiders Genesis while a bit lower in budget is still a notable entry into the franchise.

The semi-open world has a handful of directions players can go per map which if fleshed out a bit more could have been a real treat such as different paths leading to alternative bosses, cutscenes, etc. But it opens up a desire for exploration of the map for loot drops and such. The story takes place sometime before the events of Darksiders 1 with a war between the seven lords of Hell being started and Strife & War have been tasked with keeping balance and order in Hell. Satan is looking for total dominance of Hell and is using his influence to get the other lords to bend to his will. Key characters from the Darksiders franchise make an appearance through cameos and full roles such as Samuel.

A boss fight in Darksiders Genesis.

THE BAD: The budget for the game isn’t at the level the Darksiders franchise is known for, but that’s actually ok as THQ Nordic is seemingly going through a “finding itself” phase in which the publisher is trying to figure out where the series’ future currently lies. This lends the series open to experimentation like with what we have in ‘Genesis’. Cutscenes are told mostly through voiced texted and still images which is a shame because Darksiders has a world that feels much more fit for traditional cinematic cutscenes.

Darksiders Genesis may begin a surprising new direction for the franchise.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: If you were slightly to majorly disappointed by Darksiders III then Darksiders Genesis is sure to leave you with a smile on your face. The introduction of Strife is fun and his play style is slightly different to that of War, Death, and Fury. Enough to where he helps add to the idea that perhaps Darksiders’ future lies in more experimental takes on the franchise as Darksiders Genesis provides.