Darksiders Genesis

About Darksiders Genesis

Darksiders Genesis is a top-down action RPG spin-off in the Darksiders series. It follows Strife, the fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse, as he teams up with a mortal named Cass to stop Lucifer from destroying humanity. Developed by Airship Syndicate and published by THQ Nordic, it launched December 5, 2019, on PS4, PC, Xbox One, Switch, and Stadia. The game mixes hack-and-slash combat with exploration, puzzles, and co-op multiplayer. Its isometric perspective and focus on co-op set it apart from the mainline series. The story ties into the broader Darksiders lore but serves as a standalone entry.

Gameplay

You alternate between Strife and Cass, each with unique abilities and attack styles. Combat is fast-paced with light/heavy attacks, magic, and elemental weaknesses. You explore open zones in a top-down view, fighting hordes of enemies and solving environmental puzzles. Boss battles emphasize pattern recognition and positioning. The co-op mode allows two players to team up, but only for part of the campaign. Progression involves upgrading skills, collecting loot, and managing resource costs. The game leans into arcade-style action but lacks the deep RPG systems of the main series.

What Players Think

Community feedback is mixed. IGDB gives it 72.4/100 (99 ratings), with a median playtime of 18 hours. 28% of players finish the game, and 42% complete all achievements. Most praise the combat and co-op potential but criticize repetitive enemies and underdeveloped RPG elements. Players on Reddit and Discord note the game feels “unpolished” compared to its predecessors. Some praise the art style and boss designs, while others call it “a missed opportunity.” It costs $15, $20 used, and 15 achievements (1000 points) are available.

PlayPile's Take

Darksiders Genesis is a decent entry for fans of the series or co-op action games. It’s not as deep as the mainline titles but offers satisfying combat and a decent challenge. The price is low enough to justify a try, especially if you’ve enjoyed other Darksiders games. Casual players might find the grind tedious. Achievements are straightforward but not impressive. If you’re looking for a pick-up-and-play co-op brawler with a bit of RPG flair, this fits. Otherwise, skip it.

Storyline

From the dawn of creation, the council has maintained the Balance across existence. Carrying out their orders are the Horsemen, Nephilim (powerful beings spawned from the unnatural union of angels and demons) who have pledged themselves to the Council and been granted immense power. However, this power came at a tragic cost: the Horsemen were ordered to use their newfound strength to wipe out the rest of their kind. What followed was a bloody battle on Eden where the Horsemen, obeying the will of the Council, annihilated the Nephilim.