Dark Sector Review

Dark Sector box art

     Hello everyone and happy Wednesday.  I'm back this week with another game, once again focusing on the shoot 'em up concept with a little twist.  The game with this twist is called Dark Sector, a game that allows you to be enhanced by a awesome virus that gives you super powers.  So, yeah, sounds pretty awesome, and if that doesn't sound awesome to you, you are a sad individual my friend.  Now then, on to the game.  Released on March 25, 2008 in North America, April 4th in Europe and October 9th in Australia where it was actually banned for graphic violence.  Can't imagine why they'd do that, sure you cut off a few guy's heads, but it's still a fun game.  Developed by Digital Extremes and published by D3 Publisher for consoles, Aspyr for computers, Dark Sector received mixed positive reviews upon its release.  Introducing a mix of what fans said was a combination of Resident Evil 4 and Gears of War, much to their enjoyment and mine.  So lets get down to the basis of the game and some of the features that make it unique.  The trademark and primary weapon of the game is the three pronged "Glaive", a metallic weapon in Hayden can produce at will. He can then can throw it long distances, guide it, and melee it at enemies.  The Glaive can also absorb energy from things such as electricity, fire, and ice.  The virus Hayden contracts give him a metallic arm, which bonds to any metal object, only allowing Hayden to hold two handed weapons for a limited time, making pistols his primary weapons, the virus also makes him immune to pain.  The story takes place in Lasria, opening with Hayden infiltrating a gulag in hopes of finding Robert Mezner, the man responsible for infecting Lasria with the Technocyte Virus.  After eliminating all the resistance members within the complex, planting C4 everywhere, and destroying a helicopter, Hayden encounters a creature known as Nemisis, a indestructible metallic humanoid figure.  After firing a rocket at Nemisis, it redirects it back Hayden, there is an explosion and Hayden is knocked unconscious.  He awakes to find none other than Mezner looking over him next to Nemisis.  Then as Hayden attempts to make a grab for his gun, he is stabbed by Nemisis in his right shoulder, infecting him with the Technocyte virus.

Hayden fighting Lasrian soldiers

After a quick boring lecture to Hayden from Mezner about he is 'broken' and was questing why the agency would still have any use for him, Hayden detonates the C4 he planted earlier, making an escape.  He reaches a beach, by now his arm has been transformed by the virus, where he superiors contact him, telling him to move to one of their sleeper agents in the country Yargo Mensik.  Shortly after the conversation Hayden encounter enemy soldiers, in the events that transpire Hayden's arm produces the Glaive which he uses to kill the enemy soldiers. I don't want to spoil the plot but only set the story, so all most find out for yourselves.  This isn't the best game for gameplay, but is much worth it for the plot. So I would probably give this game a 6.2 of 10, and suggest you rent it or something.  I hope you have all enjoyed this review and I will see you next weekend.  This has been Jacob Arnold, signing off.

Dark Sector Official Trailer, explains the setting

pretty well