 |
 |
||||
 |
 |
 |
|||
 |
|||||
 |
 |
 |
Darkstone May 23, 2002 Price $10 (Jewel case)
Even though over half a decade passed between Diablo and the release of its sequel, Blizzard remained the king of the click-fest Role Playing Game (RPG). Only until just shortly before the release of Diablo 2 did any real competition arrive in the genre, namely Nox and Darkstone. While Nox featured a more interactive storyline with three unique characters (one of which could summon creatures, predating Diablo 2's necromancer) and a death-match style multiplayer, Darkstone tried to beat Diablo at its own game. Improving upon nearly every feature of Diablo from the mundane (potions automatically refilling in belt slots) to the noteworthy (such as the ability to use two characters in play at the same time, the AI taking over the one not selected by the player at a given time), Darkstone largely succeeded at its goal. Though dungeons were randomly generated within certain constraints, just as in Diablo, many more detailed and specific quests abounded and many took place above ground, something that Diablo did not acquire until its sequel.
Although eight different "classes" of characters are advertised, it is more like four with different names for the male and female versions, which are largely identical in function--save for the wizard and the sorceress, the later being able to transform into a werewolf at will, an immense help at the beginning of the game--though an odd statement about women. The wizard, on the other hand, can detect magical items at a distance which is moderately useful at later points. Unlike in Diablo 2, there is little choice in customizing characters other than the ability to increase inherent skills (many of which are largely useless, such as the ability to forage food from bushes) or by buying equipment and spells, all limited only by the availability of gold.
A multiplayer mode is available, and works much in the same way thematically as Diablo 2, though lacking such niceties as Battle.net. However, a game played over a network can be well worth the hassle. Multiple copies of the game are needed unless one is willing to tweak an easily found Window's Registry "key," raising or lowering the serial number by a digit, which may or may not be morally objectionable to certain individuals, especially at this time in the products life cycle. At the time it was released, with its 3D graphics and its interface enhancements, Darkstone was the perfect game for those awaiting Diablo 2. Now, as the 3D engine has aged considerably (limited to 16bit color and 640x480 resolution) it still possess a cartoon-like appeal that to some degree mitigates its dated appearance, not having aged as well as the 2D original Diablo.
Can Darkstone, at $10, dare to compete against the likes of Diablo 2? Yes. Darkstone performs well on low end systems with basic 3D capabilities that might strain under the weight of Diablo 2, and is also a more intriguing game for younger gamers and those who do not want to take the time to learn how to balance and choose from a myriad of different skills or get swept away in the frenzy of collecting Battle.net items for EBay. On a small home network, Darkstone can absorb a whole family, despite having differing levels of skill at the game. On the other hand, because of its then surprising feature of optionally controlling multiple characters, Darkstone can also be compared to the recently released Dungeon Siege (often available for $30 now). Against this competition, Darkstone looks increasingly dated, both in graphics and features as Dungeon Siege allows players to guide up to eight characters at once. With more impressive multiplayer features (a toolkit allows gamers to create their own adventures for others) and many enormous tactical battles to face, that $10 for Darkstone might be better applied towards the newer game.
However, Darkstone does have a certain life or energy to it
that Dungeon Siege lacks; a real sense of vitality. For this
reason, those hunting through the bargain bin would do well to at
least ponder taking a second look at Darkstone, particularly
if they have access to a network. by Richard Leader |
||
 |
|||||
 |
|||||
 |
|||||
 |
|||||
 |
|||||
 |
|||||
 |
|||||
 |
|||||
 |
|||||
