The Darkness
Game

The Darkness

4 critics 16 lists ★ 4.0/5 RAWG ActionShooter

The Darkness is a first-person action/horror shooter with a twist: You are the horror! You will step into the shoes of Jackie Estacado, a mafia hit-man who becomes the latest bearer of the Darkness, a powerful demonic entity, on his 21st birthday. Having his fill with life as a thug and struggling to control the Darkness you must use your newfound powers to put an end to your “Uncle” Paulie Franchetti, the don of the family, and get out of the mob. Featuring an assortment of both earthly and otherworldly guns as well as powers that allow you to conjure demons and manifest the Darkness into a variety of lethal elements, The Darkness will take the FPS genre to the next generation.

Games like The Darkness ↓

Where to playXbox 360 · PlayStation 3 · Xbox One

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The Generation GapWhat our critics say

This FPS blended supernatural powers with a genuinely compelling crime drama narrative. Playing as Jackie Estacado, a mob hitman possessed by an ancient entity, you wield shadow tentacles and darklings while navigating a gritty New York underworld. Its mature storytelling, strong voice acting, and the unsettling contrast between mundane human drama and horrific supernatural violence made it stand out. It proved that licensed comic book games could explore darker, more personal themes.

from “The Unseen Archives: 9 Games That Defined Their Own Hidden Histories” →
The Story Decoder
The Story DecoderMillennial

The Darkness, especially the first one, was a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling. Blending a brutal mob revenge narrative with demonic powers, it offered a gritty, supernatural FPS experience unlike anything else. Jackie Estacado's internal monologue and the ability to consume hearts or summon Darklings made combat inventive. It wasn't just a shooter; it was a character study wrapped in a dark, comic book aesthetic, showcasing how mature themes could elevate game narratives.

from “11 Underrated Games That Deserve Their Own Red Carpet Moment” →

The Darkness was wild, man. Playing as Jackie Estacado with those demonic powers? So sick. The whole 'darkness' mechanic was super unique, letting you summon creepers and just wreck stuff. And the story, based on the comic, was surprisingly deep and gritty. Plus, you could watch full movies on in-game TVs, which was a mind-blower back then. This FPS was a total vibe, truly underrated for its atmosphere and gameplay.

from “Bro, These 7 Games Are Criminally Underrated, No Cap” →

Prepare for a visual feast. It's like playing a moving, abstract painting. The art direction is simply incredible, consistently reinventing itself. And the story is a stylized, abstract take on biblical lore. The combat system is deceptively simple, yet deeply satisfying with its rhythmic flow. You fight fallen angels, seeking divine purpose. It’s an artistic masterpiece. And a truly unique, memorable adventure.

from “10 Gaming Realms: Your Next Great Adventure Awaits” →

Featured in 16 lists

The Unseen Archives: 9 Games That Defined Their Own Hidden Histories 11 Underrated Games That Deserve Their Own Red Carpet Moment While Everyone Was Chasing $1B, These 11 Games Proved Money Isn't Everything These 12 Gaming Masterpieces Were Too Good For Their Own Time 12 Games That Are Pure Melody, But The Industry Forgot To Thank Them 10 Gaming Masterpieces You Probably Missed (And Why You Shouldn't Have) Gailann's Got a Fresh Perspective, But Do Your Games? 8 Overlooked Masterpieces That Still Kick Ass The Industry Slept On Them: 10 Games That Proved Vision Still Reigns Supreme 10 Gaming Realms: Your Next Great Adventure Awaits 12 Games That Should've Been Blockbusters (But Got Lost in the Algorithm) The Hype Machine Ignores Them: 10 Games That Actually Deliver You're Not Truly 'Content' Until You've Explored These 11 Gaming Sanctuaries

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