Having really enjoyed the PC version of Darksiders Genesis, the spin-off of the saga of the Knights of the Apocalypse also arrives on the console stage, in the classic triptych PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. As we have already tested with our own hand, Genesis is a multipurpose title, which manages to be particularly interesting when played alone, but extremely engaging when enjoyed in cooperative mode. In these versions we are faced with the same medium, but with a totally different audience than the PC one, where the strengths that players can exploit to enjoy the product to the fullest are peculiar to each of them (such as the immediacy and portability of switches, or excellent online infrastructures for One). The version that we are going to analyze after a careful test, is that of the current Sony flagship. How did the title of THQ Nordic e Airship Syndicate?
"Ah ... and I'm not alone"
If you have not yet heard of this chapter, know that it is a prequel, which goes to anticipate all the events we have lived from the first Darksiders onwards. In this, without an exhaustive explanation as to where they are currently located Death e Furia, we will take control of the other two brothers War (which we already met in the first chapter of the series) e Conflict, the gunslinger who at present does not have - yet - his own dedicated title. This spin-off turns out to be such more for the concrete game mode than for the narrated part, which however fully incorporates the style of past chapters, and which above all expresses some dynamics (did someone say Arso advice?). There are many doubts, but also certainties, and that is why, as in most cases, the best way to solve problems can be summed up in exploiting the powers of our Nephilim and wiping out every monster - silly or gigantic - that comes before us.
War and Conflict, a perfect combination: the couple is certainly successful, making use of the classic cliché of totally opposite brothers, both in skill and in ways of doing. Dialogues in which the two personalities collide are commonplace, with curtains that enhance Guerra's seriousness and lack of sense of humor, contrasted with the unpredictability, playfulness and tendency to take everything very little seriously about Conflict (which without too many compliments it is very reminiscent of a certain Cayde-6 from Destiny 2).
Another perspective
The perspective from above is a novelty for the brand, up to now devoted to the third person, and therefore it was a more than wise move to test this feature first of all on the absolute reference platform for that type of product: the PC, which also thanks to mouse and keyboard it lends itself perfectly. One of the most complicated challenges has certainly been to change the approach not only for the style of play, but also on a visual level. In this case, the promotion has arrived: Darksiders Genesis manages to minimize the lack of PC peripherals, adapting the control system on PS4 in a very functional way.
To do this, some tricks have been used from the gameplay of the first titles (in fact, pad in hand, the feeling does not seem to change, only the perspective). What's more, the resolution of environmental puzzles themselves has found a fair benefit, opening still different doors. The cons, however, are soon said: even if the level design is decidedly inspired, graphically, conceptually and physically, in some cases the perspective plays tricks, and even on decidedly large TV screens the accuracy is lacking (and if you fall below ... well, just bad things).
Double Trouble
As already mentioned at the beginning, the game can be used both in single and cooperative mode. Although the adventure alone turns out to be captivating and with a level of difficulty that is "in the middle", play it in pairs with a friend next to you (or why not, with your better half, given the release for console right in the day dedicated to lovers) it is a much higher experience, with a really important detachment… maybe too much. The coop is also available online, but there is no need to say which of the two modes is more functional. If you would like to approach the game alone, however, inevitably you would have to alternate control between War and Conflict, while if you play in co-op you will also have the opportunity to exchange it with your partner. On a practical level, playing in two is also excellent for solving puzzles, not only because you think better in pairs, but also because the speed of execution is doubled (although some actions can only be performed by one or the other) . Finally, the management of skills and their selection is fairly successful, with some references to past games that make a few smiles jump to the face.
