I recently decided to give The Darkness a rent, and I'm very happy I did. Overall, I'm liking the game a lot. However, if you are looking for a dedicated shooter then this isn't it. To me The Darkness is an RPG. Yes, you do your fair share of shooting, but just as often you're exploring the New York subway system, talking to people, and playing with telephones and unlockable content. Similar to how Oblivion is an open world RPG that has fighting elements, I think The Darkness leans that way as a very linear RPG with heavy shooting elements. Click "read more" for the rest of the scoop.

Graphics are good, but not great. Character models look like early 360 titles; not what I expect for a mature console. Lighting is awesome, and the game even starts by popping up a gamma adjustment to get the brightness level just right on your display. Where The Darkness really shines is the campaign. The story is unique, gripping, and pretty gruesome. This is the most mature game I've played since Twisted Metal Black, and the two are probably tied for most disturbing content I've seen in a video game. There is one major plot twist that leaves you with a real WTF, and it's pretty cool.

The game does a good job of teaching you the controls through the first few minutes of gameplay and then teaching newly acquired abilities as you progress. Using your Darkness powers is really interesting, and there's no lack of ways to dispose of enemies. The voice of the Darkness talks to you from time to time, and every time you die, and it is creepy^2. Unlocking extras is a lot of fun for me. Take a look around the subway and city for phone numbers. Dial those numbers on a phone and you'll slowly unlock hidden content. The game also plants "collectibles" around the game that ask you to dial a number, read a note, mail a letter, etc.

Weapon selection is short, but adequate. The dual pistols you receive at the beginning of the game are about as good as any weapon you'll get. However, it's much more fun to kill people with Darkness powers and then eat their hearts so they don't get back up. I haven't investigated multiplayer yet, and I really don't intend to. I have read that multiplayer seems like an afterthought and I can understand that given the feel of the game. It just doesn't feel like it would lend itself well to 4v4, ya know?

I give The Darkness 7/10, mostly because the campaign is awesome and I like the RPG dynamic. I'll be able to finish it pretty easily during a five day rental, so I probably won't buy. However, if I find some source of incredible replay value, I might purchase it to own.