Wikipedia

Dark Void

Dark Voidis a 2010third-person shooter gamedeveloped byAirtight Gamesand published byCapcom.In the game, players must face an alien threat that humanity had previously banished. It was released forPlayStation 3,Windows,andXbox 360in January 2010. It received mixed reviews from critics.

Dark Void
Developer(s)Airtight Games
Publisher(s)Capcom
Producer(s)Jim Deal Jeff Combos
Designer(s)Jose Perez III Jason Lamparty
Programmer(s)Michael Bowman
Writer(s)Jeffrey Howell
Composer(s)Bear McCreary[2]
EngineUnreal Engine 3
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows,PlayStation 3,Xbox 360
Release
  • NA:January 19, 2010[1]
  • AU:January 21, 2010
  • EU:January 22, 2010[1]
  • AU:2010(PC)
Genre(s)Third-person shooter,action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

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The games make use of a unique "vertical cover system", as well as astandard cover system.The game includes a hover pack, and later, a jetpack, allowing for a quick transition between traditional shooter gameplay and flight. Everything unlocked in the first play through is transferred over to any new play throughs. Upgrades are purchased using Tech points through a shop at the start of every level before gameplay begins. Tech points are collected from defeated enemies and are hidden throughout the level.

Plot

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The game's story takes place beforeWorld War IIand centers around a cargo pilot named William Augustus Grey (voiced byNolan North) who is teleported to another world while flying through theBermuda Triangle.In this world, known as the "Void", Will encounters an alien race as well as other humans, which are known as the Watchers and the Survivors respectively. Will reluctantly joins the Survivors, who are engaged in a feud with the alien race, to satisfy his desire to return to Earth. While aiding the Survivors, Will discovers that the Void is a middle ground that connects both the Watchers' homeworld and Earth. It also becomes apparent that the Watchers are supplying the Axis powers with various wartime provisions for reasons unknown. With the help ofNikola Tesla,Will uses retrofitted Watcher technology to combat the Watchers and eventually find a way to escape the Void.

Music

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Bear McCreary,making his video game score debut, composed the score toDark Void.[2]He recorded the score with a 63-piece ensemble of theHollywood Studio Symphonyat the Eastwood Scoring Stage.[3]

Spin-off

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A spin-off title forDSiWarecalledDark Void Zerowas released in North America on January 18, 2010 and in the PAL region on March 5, 2010. Setting it apart from the next-gen version, the game was designed as a retro title featuring 8-bit graphics and sound, with 2D gameplay in the same vein as theMetroidgames. To promote the game, a history of the game was created in which it was a title Capcom was developing to be a breakthrough NES property in the late 80s, but was shelved with the discontinuation of thePlayChoice-10and the coming of theSNES.This history also appears in-game during the introduction.[4]Additionally, before starting the game, players must use the DSi microphone to blow the cartridge's "contacts", a homage to the age-old method of getting non-working NES games to play. Capcom manager Seth Killian saidDark Void Zerostarted development after finishing the pre-release copy ofDark Void,inspired by the 8-bit music McCreary provided for the ending credits.Dark Void Zerowas also released foriOSand Windows platforms on April 12, 2010.[5]Both versions have an all-new secret ending. The Steam version has an additional ending (for a total of three possible endings), Steam Achievements, online leaderboards, and a SecuROM 5 machine activation limit.[6]

Reception

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Dark Voidreceived "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according toreview aggregatorwebsiteMetacritic.[27][28][29]

IGNsaid, "Dark Voidis one of those games you'll play, beat, and forget ever existed. "[21]Game Informersaid that "the shining strengths of the game are buried underneath a thick layer of rust that only the thirstiest of air-junkies should bother chipping through."[9]

GameZone's Louis Bedigian said of the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, "The genericGears of War-style shooting is forgivable. But the countless technical problems all but destroy a game that had the potential to be something truly special.Dark Voidcan be summed up in just six words: so much potential, so much disappointment. "[16][17]Hardcore Gamerpraised the innovative jet pack but stated that the game "winds up being less than the sum of its parts," and thatDark Voidis "not something you need to have in your collection."[30]

Edgegave the Xbox 360 version a score of six out of ten and said, "Somehow,Dark Voidjust about rises above its faults, but it's hardly at risk of flying too close to the sun. "[31]411Mania gave the PS3 version a score of 5.2 out of 10 and said, "It is sad to say but there really isn't much of a fun factor here. If you are a fan of getting as much trophies as possible, then I can see some fun in this game. There are plenty of trophies to be earned here and a lot of them are very easy to get. I think for people enjoy flying simulators or any type of flying game for that matter might enjoy this a bit more than I did. The story is a bit too spotty, the characters don't seem very important and the game is just very forgettable after you beat it."[32]The Daily Telegraphgave the Xbox 360 version five out of ten and called it "a game we wanted to like more than we did. Its retro sci-fi concept is so appealing it initially makes it tempting to excuse some of the game's rougher edges. In the end, however, no amount of nostalgia can absolve the game of its ropy gameplay, patchy plot, substandard production, generic (and sometimes poor) level design and thin content; the campaign takes around eight hours to complete and that's the only mode on offer."[25]Wiredgave the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions four stars out of ten, saying, "Even though some stages (like the penultimate aerial battle) felt like they lasted forever and ever,Dark Voidis a pretty short game with an anticlimactic ending that does little more than set up a sequel. "[26]The A.V. Clubgave the PS3 version a D and called it "an exercise in diminishing returns—what at first seems new and fun eventually becomes dully predictable, and having to mash buttons to secure your grip only adds to the snarling annoyances."[33]

References

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  1. ^abO'Connor, Alice (August 19, 2009)."Dark Void Release Date Celebrated With Trailer".Shacknews.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2018.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
  2. ^abOcampo, Jason (April 2, 2009)."Galactica Composer Makes Video Game Debut".IGN.Ziff Davis.Archivedfrom the original on February 6, 2018.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
  3. ^Goldwasser, Dan (May 21, 2009)."Bear McCreary scoresDark Void".ScoringSessions.com.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2018.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
  4. ^jgonzo (December 21, 2009)."Introducing Dark Void Zero".Capcom-Unity.Capcom.Archivedfrom the original on December 26, 2009.RetrievedDecember 3,2012.
  5. ^Crecente, Brian (April 7, 2010)."The Popular Dark Void Coming to iPhone, PC".Kotaku.Gawker Media.Archivedfrom the original on October 14, 2012.RetrievedDecember 3,2012.
  6. ^"Dark Void™ Zero".Steam.Valve.April 12, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2018.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
  7. ^Sterling, Jim (January 19, 2010)."Review: Dark Void (X360)".Destructoid.Enthusiast Gaming.Archivedfrom the original on May 19, 2016.RetrievedMay 16,2018.
  8. ^Pearson, Dan (January 18, 2010)."Dark Void (Xbox 360)".Eurogamer.Gamer Network.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2018.RetrievedMay 16,2018.
  9. ^abcdTuri, Tim (February 2010)."Dark Void: Poor Pacing And A Tangled Plot Ensnare Free-Flying Gameplay".Game Informer.No. 202.GameStop.p. 95. Archived fromthe originalon January 23, 2010.RetrievedMarch 9,2010.
  10. ^Lewis, Cameron (February 2010)."Dark Void (X360)".GamePro.GamePro Media. p. 78. Archived fromthe originalon January 25, 2011.RetrievedMay 16,2018.
  11. ^abcMorse, Blake (January 19, 2010)."Dark Void Review".Game Revolution.CraveOnline.Archivedfrom the original on August 21, 2014.RetrievedMay 16,2018.
  12. ^Watters, Chris (January 21, 2010)."Dark Void Review (PC)".GameSpot.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2018.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
  13. ^abWatters, Chris (January 20, 2010)."Dark Void Review (PS3, X360)".GameSpot.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2018.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
  14. ^abcNeigher, Eric (January 19, 2010)."Dark Void Review".GameSpy.Ziff Davis.Archivedfrom the original on July 29, 2016.RetrievedMay 16,2018.
  15. ^"Dark Void Review (X360)".GameTrailers.Defy Media.January 16, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon August 12, 2014.RetrievedJune 15,2016.
  16. ^abBedigian, Louis (January 19, 2010)."Dark Void - PS3 - Review".GameZone.Archivedfrom the original on January 22, 2010.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
  17. ^abBedigian, Louis (January 19, 2010)."Dark Void - 360 - Review".GameZone.Archivedfrom the original on January 22, 2010.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
  18. ^Gerstmann, Jeff (January 19, 2010)."Dark Void Review (X360)".Giant Bomb.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2018.RetrievedMay 16,2018.
  19. ^Miller, Greg (January 20, 2010)."Dark Void Review (PC)".IGN.Ziff Davis.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2018.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
  20. ^abReed, Kristan (January 18, 2010)."Dark Void UK Review (PS3, X360)".IGN.Ziff Davis.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2018.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
  21. ^abcMiller, Greg (January 19, 2010)."Dark Void Review (PS3, X360)".IGN.Ziff Davis.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2018.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
  22. ^"Dark Void".Official Xbox Magazine.Future US.February 2010. p. 86.
  23. ^"Dark Void".PC Gamer.Future US. March 2010. p. 80.
  24. ^"Review: Dark Void".PlayStation: The Official Magazine.No. 29.Future plc.February 2010. p. 78.
  25. ^abCowen, Nick (January 18, 2010)."Dark Void video game review (X360)".The Daily Telegraph.Archivedfrom the original on May 16, 2018.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
  26. ^abcKohler, Chris (January 19, 2010)."Review: Dark Void's Jetpack Action Sputters, Freefalls (PS3, X360)".Wired.Condé Nast.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
  27. ^ab"Dark Void for PC Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on March 28, 2015.RetrievedMarch 29,2015.
  28. ^ab"Dark Void for PlayStation 3 Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on April 29, 2015.RetrievedMarch 29,2015.
  29. ^ab"Dark Void for Xbox 360 Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on December 20, 2016.RetrievedDecember 22,2016.
  30. ^Peeples, Jeremy (February 5, 2010)."Dark Void (PS3, X360)".Hardcore Gamer.Archived fromthe originalon February 9, 2010.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
  31. ^Edge staff (February 2010). "Dark Void (X360)".Edge.No. 211. Future plc. p. 86.
  32. ^Martell, David (March 11, 2010)."Dark Void (PS3) Review".411Mania.Archived fromthe originalon May 16, 2010.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
  33. ^Wolinsky, David (January 25, 2010)."Dark Void (PS3)".The A.V. Club.The Onion.Archivedfrom the original on March 10, 2010.RetrievedMay 15,2018.
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