Eternal Darkness Review from IGN [Archive]

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Sigma

06-21-2002, 10:25 PM

Can someone with insider tell me what they game the game and the ratings for the graphics, sound and whatever else. If possible the statements that go with these ratings.:D

Bond

06-21-2002, 10:27 PM

Presentation
A beautiful mix of slick menus, awesome visuals and audio, plenty of options and variety. Wow. 10.0

Graphics
Fanstastic art mingles with great technology. Brutally fast 3D engine, big indoor environments, crisp textures, great animation, lighting effects and more. Some seams, occasional poor particles. 9.0

Sound
Spectacular music tracks with tons of atmosphere. Excellent voice acting and sound effects. Very ambient. Some repetition. 9.0

Gameplay
Epic. Not for those unwilling to invest. Everyone that does will love it. Great control, combat, sweet magicks, excellent story. The full package. 9.0

Lasting Appeal
Huge quest -- 20 hours for the skilled gamer and longer for the rest. Lots of secrets. Plus, can play through three times for an uber ending. 9.0

OVERALL SCORE (not an average) 9.6

I'll put money on that Gamespot gives this game a lower score.

gekko

06-21-2002, 10:42 PM

Embrace the dark! Must have ED!!

9.6 is a good score. "A" quality material!

ED is my master!! Denis is my god!

DeathsHand

06-21-2002, 10:44 PM

Originally posted by gekko
Embrace the dark! Must have ED!!

9.6 is a good score. "A" quality material!

ED is my master!! Denis is my god!

And you still havn't even played it yourself yet! ;)

Didn't GTA3 get like a 9.something also? :p "GTA3 SUX0RZ!" :D

Anyways... sounds good... too bad I won't have enough money to buy it for like.... awhile.....

gekko

06-21-2002, 10:56 PM

Originally posted by DeathsHand
And you still havn't even played it yourself yet! ;)
Tomorrow :banana: :yippie: :banana: :yippie: :banana: :yippie: :banana:

gekko

06-21-2002, 11:01 PM

Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem is my favorite GameCube title to date. It is also one of my favorite videogames of all time. Does that surprise you? It shouldn't. It comes from a development studio well-verses in making deep, intriguing games, and it's a title that has been in construction for several years. Nintendo and Silicon Knights have molded the game into something that might initially trick some into believing it's a Resident Evil clone. However, this couldn't be further from the reality of the situation. The truth is that the title exceeds the play mechanics of Capcom's series in just about every way, from tighter controls, to a much more compelling storyline, 12 playable characters, the addition of multiple combat types, and a magick system that could really become a game all by itself. The end result is far more satisfying.
But there is something every gamer should know going in: Eternal Darkness doesn't offer an immediate pay off. Players will have to invest into the adventure, play, expand, build, learn the magicks, figure out the story, and really advance to reap the full treasures the title has to offer. And don't get me wrong -- the treasures are grand, beautiful things to behold.

Simply put, an amazing achievement that shouldn't be overlooked. Games do not come any better than this. The greatest insanity of all would be to avoid playing it.

You know what needs to be done. Buy. Do not hesitate. Go now!

-- Matt Casamassina

Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem is a very difficult game to rate. By all accounts it features a polished design, one of the best plotlines I've ever experienced, and developed gameplay concepts, centered on an inventive insanity meter and incredible magick system. For me, without question, it's the first must-have GameCube adventure, an experience no intelligent gamer should miss. What I think makes it difficult to rate is its style. As with all games, it will cater to a specific audience. I don't think it appeals to as wide an audience as, say, Zelda for instance. But then again, either does a title like Resident Evil. But I don't bring up Capcom's survival horror because I think Eternal Darkness is some knock-off of it. In fact, I think it completely the opposite of the genre, where Sanity's Requiem excels beyond it in numerous areas. You won't survive the horrors in Eternal Darkness -- believe me. I've frequently made the movie analogy that if Resident Evil were The Night of the Living Dead, Eternal Darkness would be Psycho. There's a big difference. Of course, I think Eternal Darkness will appeal to a similar audience because of mature content. Yes, indeed, Silicon Knights has injected a storyline into ED that draws on the minds of scholars and famous writers. As well, there's plenty of gory subject matter and very adult themes. It didn't get an M rating for nothing.
I digress, however. The biggest thing I think potential buyers of this game need to understand is that it is not for those with short attention spans, or anyone who can't commit to spending some considerable time with a title. We so continually get complaints from readers that there aren't enough lengthy games on GCN. Well, this is the one you've been looking for. This is the first single-player experience that really offers up a lot of gameplay worth and even replay value. After investing about five hours you'll just start to scratch the surface of Eternal Darkness. At this point you'll have a vague concept of what's going on and you will have only barely began to use the magick system. You're really an amateur after playing 20% of the game, and things begin to really ramp up.

This is what makes Eternal Darkness so rewarding. It's a smooth curve of gameplay progression and intensity. With a dozen characters to play, everything remains fresh. It truly is like reading a book and you'll have your favorite chapters. On the technical side, everything from the slick graphics engine to the detailed sound design and stunning third-person camera design is lovely. Sure not everything is perfect, but most is exceptional.

I highly recommend picking up Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem. Nintendo and Silicon Knights have crafted a truly intelligent psychological thriller, complete with balanced gameplay and plenty of surprises you'll never forget.

Play it alone. Play it loud. Play it now.

- Fran Mirabella III

GameKinG

06-21-2002, 11:10 PM

uber ending, eh?

Jonbo298

06-21-2002, 11:14 PM

IGN giving a 'Cube game a rating higher than 9.0!:eek: They must not be as biased as before:D But I wish I could buy it, but a rental will have to do. (darn back surgery, can't get a job until doc says so :mad: )

Xlinx

06-21-2002, 11:41 PM

IGN and Denis are a bit to close for my comfort... kinda like how you cant tell your girlfriend she's fat...

I'll wait for Gamespot

GameKinG

06-22-2002, 02:21 AM

the only other game they gave a 9.6 was super smash bros. as far as I know. And that was a trusted rating. Maybe this is on level.

Blix

06-22-2002, 02:48 AM

Yeah! IGN is not biased. Weren't lots of people whining about IGN giving GC games low scores? I think this game deserves the score it got. i just trust IGN more now.

bobcat

06-22-2002, 03:07 AM

Well that gives me a lot more confidence in buying this game.

Which I will. When's it due in the US?

I remember when ppl saying how it played really slow when they saw the movies, yet it say "Brutal fast Gameplay" or something.

I wish I could get this game now. Heck I gotta wait till September for RE!!!

That sux

Shadow_Link

06-22-2002, 05:35 AM

Originally posted by Xlinx
IGN and Denis are a bit to close for my comfort... kinda like how you cant tell your girlfriend she's fat...

I'll wait for Gamespot

Heh... Just like how all the Xbox editors at IGN are with all the developers...

Angrist

06-22-2002, 07:39 AM

Not bad, but I think other sites may give it a lower rating. :unsure:

I want to know if the animation still is so... weird. I guess I'll check out some IGN movies. Could someone post the direct urls of the movies, that way you can watch more than 5 a day. :)

Bond

06-22-2002, 10:18 AM

Originally posted by Shadow_Link

Heh... Just like how all the Xbox editors at IGN are with all the developers...
Do you have factual proof of that?

Perfect Stu

06-22-2002, 10:32 AM

Originally posted by Bond

Do you have factual proof of that?

of course not, he's just talking out of his ass...

and it's funny how everyone says the game deserved this score because it's high, and when a Gamecube game gets a low score, it doesn't deserve it...

I know this game should be good, but I do nottice a pattern...

bobcat

06-22-2002, 10:47 AM

The_Dunadan

06-22-2002, 11:20 AM

finally! i've been waiting on this game forever!!!!!!!! my over-a-year-old reservation is lying around somewhere. *turns the house upside down trying to find it*

Shadow_Link

06-22-2002, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by Perfect Stu
of course not, he's just talking out of his ass...

Oh really? I never heard of people talking out of their donkies... :rolleyes:

GameKinG

06-22-2002, 04:17 PM

Originally posted by Bond

Do you have factual proof of that?

I think he was just refering to how IGNXbox gives a lot of high scores in some pretty undeserving cases.

Jason1

06-22-2002, 04:37 PM

Qoute by me in Countown to Eternal Darkness...

''I wouldnt be at all surprised to see this game rank 9.0 and above. Maybe even 9.5.''

I predicted it!

:D

Perfect Stu

06-22-2002, 05:28 PM

Originally posted by Shadow_Link

Oh really? I never heard of people talking out of their donkies... :rolleyes:

oh sorry..."ARSE"...:rolleyes:...

Shadow_Link

06-22-2002, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by Perfect Stu

oh sorry..."ARSE"...:rolleyes:...

That's better now... :rolleyes:

I think he was just refering to how IGNXbox gives a lot of high scores in some pretty undeserving cases.

You're right. But like a lot of other people, it's an opinion, let me stress 'alot of other people' :D.

Nine Inch Nail

06-23-2002, 05:36 AM

I don't know if I can really trust IGN reviews anymore. I mean, they gave Raw for Xbox a 9.1, and that game is just awful.

I would expect GameSpot to give ED a 9.5 or lower...:unsure:

gekko

06-23-2002, 12:18 PM

First things first, IGNcube is not run by the same people as IGNxbox. So if you hate IGNXbox, the criticism should not carry over to IGNCube.

Second, IGNXbox gave DOA3 a 9.4, and that's probably the worst fighting gave I've played since WarGods. They gave Halo a 9.7 and I don't even like the game. They gave Amped an 8.5 and that's the worst (honestly) snowboarding gave I've played in my life. I like Snowboard Kids better! Reviews are a review of the game, doesn't mean everyone will like it.

A review is a score, they score a game on presentation, graphics, sound, gameplay, and lasting appeal. Just because the game deserved a 9.1, it means thje editor feels it deserves a 9.1. He plays a lot more games than you, and he feels that's what it deserves. Not everyone has the same tastes, and some people will still hate it. I can't stand Final Fantasy, but does it mean there's still not millions of gamers out there who love it?

GameSpot may very well give ED a 9.5 for lower, they may give it a 9.9. I'm sure they have different interests than IGN too. Also, from the sounds of the review, they don't seem to be very into the game, being they have already written impressions and have not even encountered a sanity effect. But again, IGN was SCORING this game a 9.6. If you see them talk about how much they love the gave, they would say it deserves closer to a 350/10. A review doesn't determine if you like a game or not.

Sigma

06-23-2002, 02:19 PM

Originally posted by Perfect Stu

of course not, he's just talking out of his ass...

and it's funny how everyone says the game deserved this score because it's high, and when a Gamecube game gets a low score, it doesn't deserve it...

I know this game should be good, but I do nottice a pattern...

Look, if a stupid game got a high score, and was on gamecube, would people still say it deserves this score? I don't think so. When an ok game gets a really bad score, it doesn't deserve it cause there are like a lot more ps2 games which are worse and still got higher scores.

I bought Maximo, the game got a 9.2 or something, which is surely doesn't deserve. I actually like the game, but it should not have gotten about 8.5 and that itself it doesn't deserve cause there is like nothing to this game. Its one of the most basic games i've ever played. I'm sorry, but the game did better than Resident Evil? HELL NO! I have both games (and they're both made by Capcom :D ). There is no way a stupid ass game like Maximo can compare to Resident Evil in any form, yet it beat it? 9.2 to 9.0

So whatever.

If a bad game gets a bad rating, does anyone say it doesn't deserve it (cause it just so happens to be on gamecube)? I don't think so.

You're generalizing way too much.

look who's talking their ass off now :D (sorry, couldn't help it)

Shadow_Link

06-23-2002, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by Sigma
look who's talking their ass off now :D (sorry, couldn't help it)

He's talking out of his arse, not his ass :D.

bobcat

06-23-2002, 06:07 PM

Bond

06-23-2002, 06:22 PM

I agree Dead or Alive 3 was overrated.

But keep in mind Gamespot also gave Halo a 9.7:

http://gamespot.com/gamespot/filters/products/0,11114,472132,00.html

Nine Inch Nail

06-23-2002, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by Bond
I agree Dead or Alive 3 wass overrated.

But keep in mind Gamespot also gave Halo a 9.7:

http://gamespot.com/gamespot/filters/products/0,11114,472132,00.html IGNXbox overrated DOA3, Amped, Raw, and JSRF, but Halo was NOT overrated. Hell, IGN.com gave Halo their "game of the year" award.

GameSpot even gave Halo a 9.7 as Bond metioned in his post. Electronic Gaming Monthly (best console mag) gave Halo their "game of the year" award as well.

I'll admit...some games get overrated and some get underrated. Mario Kart 64 only got a 6.7 rating from GameSpot. Resident Evil only got a 8.9 from GameSpot, and I think the game deserves at least a 9.5 rating.

Ratings by these "game sites" shouldn't be anyones opinion.

DeathsHand

06-23-2002, 09:47 PM

Originally posted by Biohazard
Mario Kart 64 only got a 6.7 rating from GameSpot. Resident Evil only got a 8.9 from GameSpot

I agree with both of those reviews... Mario Kart 64 blows and RE, while good, is not a 9+ kinda game (although 8.9 is only 0.1 away from 9 :p )... it's not 100% new, and it's controls are sorta iffy... Although the Type C setup works much better than the normal setup on NGC's controller...

IMO, none of the RE games are 9's... I like RE and all, but 9's, especially mid-9's is a bit higher than what I would give it...

but that's just me :D

Nine Inch Nail

06-23-2002, 09:52 PM

We all have our opinions. :roll:

Sigma

06-23-2002, 09:59 PM

Originally posted by DeathsHand

I agree with both of those reviews... Mario Kart 64 blows and RE, while good, is not a 9+ kinda game (although 8.9 is only 0.1 away from 9 :p )... it's not 100% new, and it's controls are sorta iffy... Although the Type C setup works much better than the normal setup on NGC's controller...

IMO, none of the RE games are 9's... I like RE and all, but 9's, especially mid-9's is a bit higher than what I would give it...

but that's just me :D

says the guy with over 10,000 posts. That's just sick. :D

You must spend a lot of time at GT forums.

I don't agree with the Mario Kart 64 thing though. Pretty much everyone i know loves that game. Its one of the most fun games ever, but you have to play people to play with. Not many other games were as fun. It was like Golden Eye, then Mario Kart 64 when it came to best multiplayer, before perfect dark came out.

Angrist

06-24-2002, 08:16 AM

Oh yeah, the N64 has to be the best multiplayer console ever! :) Golden memories, all the time we spent playing 4-player GE and PD. :D

bobcat

06-24-2002, 10:07 AM

MK64 has hosted some of the best nights with my mates ever.

I love Mario Kart, and definently can't wait for the GC version.

Mushlafa

06-24-2002, 11:34 AM

Originally posted by bobcat
MK64 has hosted some of the best nights with my mates ever.

I love Mario Kart, and definently can't wait for the GC version.

Yeah.. i thought MK64 was amazing... you kinda have to have friends to enjoy it :D :p j/k
but seriously that game is like SSB its no fun unless you get friends whos ass you can whoop :D

Jason1

06-24-2002, 11:44 AM

Crazily enough, SM64 was one of the very few racing games I routinely played BY MYSELF just looking for new shortcuts, and trying to improve my times in ghost mode. While yes, I played a lot of multiplayer too, I really enjoyed the single player game. One of my all time favorite games, it is.

TheGame

06-24-2002, 01:30 PM

Originally posted by gekko
First things first, IGNcube is not run by the same people as IGNxbox. So if you hate IGNXbox, the criticism should not carry over to IGNCube.

Second, IGNXbox gave DOA3 a 9.4, and that's probably the worst fighting gave I've played since WarGods. They gave Halo a 9.7 and I don't even like the game. They gave Amped an 8.5 and that's the worst (honestly) snowboarding gave I've played in my life. I like Snowboard Kids better! Reviews are a review of the game, doesn't mean everyone will like it.

A review is a score, they score a game on presentation, graphics, sound, gameplay, and lasting appeal. Just because the game deserved a 9.1, it means thje editor feels it deserves a 9.1. He plays a lot more games than you, and he feels that's what it deserves. Not everyone has the same tastes, and some people will still hate it. I can't stand Final Fantasy, but does it mean there's still not millions of gamers out there who love it?

GameSpot may very well give ED a 9.5 for lower, they may give it a 9.9. I'm sure they have different interests than IGN too. Also, from the sounds of the review, they don't seem to be very into the game, being they have already written impressions and have not even encountered a sanity effect. But again, IGN was SCORING this game a 9.6. If you see them talk about how much they love the gave, they would say it deserves closer to a 350/10. A review doesn't determine if you like a game or not.

And the sad part is, they still aren't CLOSE to as bad as IGN DC (even if it has a similar staff ;) )

I've never EVER agreed with IGN DC scores... I rarely agreed with cube.ign.com and ign64.ign.com... and I don't go to the Xbox site enough to care... Ps2's site seems to be the only one to share my views on games.

As far as ED getting a 9.6... I seriously don't trust it. The fact that I don't like many 3d/realistic/action/horror games plays a big role too, but look at the other games they rated over a 9.0!!!

Game-Like/Dislike?
Smash Brothers-Agreed, good game
Wave Race Blue Storm- Hell no
Pikmin- Hellllll no
Rouge Squadron- Hated it purely because of the diffuculty.
THPS3- loved it
Resident Evil- Never played it

There is a 50/50 chance that I will not only dislike it, but hate it..

Of course I will give this game, along with RE, a try... but not because of the scores from IGN, because I almost never agree.

Idiot

06-24-2002, 03:01 PM

I've noticed a recent pattern in GameTavern threads, as the topic seems to veer offcourse after a page. Not that I'm complaining, but, you know, someones got to be the picky sod, and it seems that duty must fall to me.