Darkwatch: Curse of the West is a first-person shooter video game set in a dark and haunting Wild West setting. Developed by High Moon Studios, the game was released in 2005 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox. The game follows the story of Jericho Cross, an outlaw who accidentally becomes a vampire after stealing a mysterious artifact called the Darkwatch. As a member of the Darkwatch, a secret organization tasked with defending humanity against supernatural threats, Cross must now battle hordes of vampires, zombies, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures. Darkwatch: Curse of the West features a unique blend of western and horror elements, creating an intriguing and atmospheric gameplay experience. Players have access to a wide range of conventional and supernatural weapons, allowing for diverse and strategic combat encounters.
The unofficial Wikia for the FPS video game Darkwatch: Curse of the West - VG 2005.
Your powers are also determined by the path you take, decide to take the souls of all your helpless victims and you will gain evil powers, think of it as a gothic version of the force. This aids the story and game play along quite nicely because as you continue to morph you will gain access to new powers such as super jumping and blood vision, which is a very cool effect that points out enemies and markers with white outlines.
Players have access to a wide range of conventional and supernatural weapons, allowing for diverse and strategic combat encounters. They also have the ability to transform into a vampire and use powerful vampire abilities, making them virtually unstoppable. Throughout the game, players will face a series of missions and challenges, each more difficult than the last.
Darkwatch: Curse of the West
Darkwatch comes at a time in this generation of consoles that most people will more than likely overlook it. For Xbox owners it seems like just another imitator in a long line of FPS games, to PS2 owners, well they never really have embraced the genre as much mostly because of the lack of a truly stand out title on their system. While it has a lot riding against it, there is certainly something you can appreciate about this game. It doesn’t try to pretend to be something it’s not. This is a straight ahead first person shooter with a vampiric overtones and a good back story. With a little moral choice thrown in for good measure Darkwatch certainly has a way of sucking you into it’s story and not letting go.
You play Jericho Cross, a rugged outlaw that is about to rob his last train. You start the game off by opening the door for one intense demon known as Lazarus. He was sealed up by the Darkwatch and now you have unleashed him to wreak havoc, way to go. In the process you are bitten by Lazarus and begin turning into a creature of the night. This aids the story and game play along quite nicely because as you continue to morph you will gain access to new powers such as super jumping and blood vision, which is a very cool effect that points out enemies and markers with white outlines. Your powers are also determined by the path you take, decide to take the souls of all your helpless victims and you will gain evil powers, think of it as a gothic version of the force.
The first thing you will notice about Darkwatch is how fast the action is. Almost from the start you are faced with seemingly endless waves of baddies for you to mow down. Best part is the action rarely ever stutters and the resolution is incredible, think TimeSplitters and you will have a good idea of the speed. There is also an abundance of weapons to choose from, whether you prefer the exploding arrows of the crossbow or the simple terror caused by a double barrel shotgun this game packs weapon style in spades. You can also use a melee attack which will become your best friends during reloads.
The levels can seem a bit drab at times; almost all of them have that eerie empty ghost town vibe. There are a few standouts such as the Darkwatch Outpost that really show how big the environments can be. Most levels however will have you tearing down walls of enemies with little more than fog and grave stones to look at. Don’t get me wrong the levels are very fitting I just would like to have seen some more outdoor type terrain.
The biggest problem with Darkwatch is that it can become repetitive at times. After you have gunned down crazy skeleton with scythes for the 500th time you will begin to question if the game has any meat to it. Thankfully the story and simple but effective control scheme never bring you to the point of true boredom. There is also multi-player for those of you who enjoy playing with others. Now pay attention because this is where it gets confusing, each version has its own style of multi-player for two completely different audiences.
The Xbox version sports the standard 16 player massacres enjoyable over Xbox Live. You can play an array of games such as Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and a new type called Soul Hunter. The variety of maps is nice; especially considering you can play some of them at day or night time. My only gripe is that with more than eight players the game will not allow you to play standard deathmatch, it forces you to play team games. This is perhaps a designer choice because without teams it would become too hectic, but I also like to have my options available. The PS2 version on the other hand is an entirely different approach. You can only play two players on the PS2 and only in co-op. This is what I simply do not understand, people love co-op but to completely miss out on the opportunity to put a great shooter like this on the PS2 without online was a bad call in my opinion. Why not have both modes on both versions? It’s a simple request especially if we could play the co-op over the internet. Regardless both games offer some replay to accent the solid single player experience.
What this all boils down to is that if you are tired of the usual sci-fi and war themed FPS games plaguing our consoles today this is a breath of fresh air. It isn’t going to set the world on fire, but it gets the job done and is actually pretty damn fun to boot. I definitely recommend this title if you are into shooters at all and definitely if you are tired of the same old song and dance we have been enduring over the last two years.
Aug 13, 2005
The main objective is to prevent the Darkwatch artifact from falling into the wrong hands and unleashing its dark powers upon the world. Along the way, players will uncover the dark secrets of the Wild West and experience a gripping and immersive storyline. The game's graphics, sound design, and gameplay mechanics received critical acclaim, with many praising its unique blend of genres and its engaging story. Darkwatch: Curse of the West stands out as a memorable and innovative entry in the first-person shooter genre, offering players an unforgettable journey through a dark and twisted Wild West. In conclusion, Darkwatch: Curse of the West is a captivating and atmospheric first-person shooter that combines the power of the Wild West with supernatural horror. Its unique blend of genres, immersive gameplay, and gripping storyline make it a standout title in the gaming world. Whether you enjoy westerns, horror, or both, Darkwatch: Curse of the West delivers an unforgettable gaming experience..
Reviews for "A Game Ahead of Its Time: The Legacy of Darkwatch Curse of the West"
1. Brian - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to play Darkwatch Curse of the West, but it ended up being a huge disappointment. The gameplay was clunky and the controls were difficult to master. The graphics also looked outdated, as if it was a game from the early 2000s. The story was forgettable and did not keep me engaged. Overall, it felt like a wasted opportunity for a potentially great game.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - Darkwatch Curse of the West was one of the worst games I have ever played. The controls were frustrating and unresponsive, making it almost impossible to enjoy the gameplay. The AI of the enemies was also incredibly dumb, making the game feel too easy and lacking in challenge. Furthermore, the storyline was confusing and poorly executed. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this game.
3. Jake - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for Darkwatch Curse of the West, but it fell short in several areas. The graphics were mediocre at best, and the character design was unappealing. The gameplay mechanics were repetitive and did not offer anything new or exciting. The game lacked depth and failed to immerse me in its world. Overall, it was a forgettable and underwhelming experience.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars - Darkwatch Curse of the West did not live up to the hype for me. The controls were clunky and frustrating, and the camera angles made it difficult to navigate through the levels. The gameplay itself felt repetitive and lacked variety. The story also failed to capture my interest, with predictable plot twists and uninteresting characters. Overall, it was a disappointing game that I would not recommend to others.
5. Michael - 1/5 stars - Darkwatch Curse of the West was a complete letdown. The graphics were outdated and the gameplay was boring. The controls were unintuitive and made it difficult to enjoy the game. Additionally, the story was uninteresting and failed to hold my attention. Overall, it was a waste of time and money. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a good gaming experience.