With a new Darksiders game officially on the way, fans of the Zelda-inspired action-adventure franchise have plenty of cause for celebration. But it's been seven years since the last mainline entry in the series, and it was never exactly the most popular IP out there, so contemporary gamers may be wondering if older Darksiders titles are worth exploring ahead of Darksiders 4.
The short answer is yes, the Darksiders trilogy is well worth playing in 2025, though which specific entry a prospective player should start with is a more complicated matter. Though all three games are linked by their legendary protagonists, haunting apocalyptic world, and Zelda-like adventure elements, they are also quite distinct and offer unique, standalone experiences for all kinds of players. This means that every Darksiders fan has a different opinion on which entry is the best and why, which is indicative of the series' sterling reputation and rock-solid quality.
The most recent Darksiders game is 2019's Darksiders Genesis, though this is a top-down, co-op spin-off and not generally considered part of the core series.
Darksiders 4’s Biggest Feature is 15 Years in the Making
Fifteen years since the first game launched, Darksiders 4 finally pulls the trigger on the series' much-awaited Four Horsemen feature.
You Should Play the Darksiders Games Today, and Here's Why
Darksiders 1
- Darksiders 1 average Metascritic score: 83
The game that kicked off the franchise, Darksiders 1 is the most obvious place for newcomers to start. It's probably the most dated of the three, of course, but it still holds up rather well, even if one's experience of it may be colored by nostalgia. The franchise's debut follows War, the first horseman of the Apocalypse, right as the world has started to end. It's the most straightforward of the franchise, with hack-and-slash combat reminiscent of the likes of God of War, and a dungeon-based structure similar to Zelda.
While several of Darksiders' most important elements would be fleshed out and improved in later games, it still stands out for a few key reasons. For one thing, this first game has a simple and striking narrative premise: War has just been summoned, as the Apocalypse has only recently been triggered. Thus, the game's setting and plot are uniquely haunting and intimate, having the celestial and contemporary, material realms meeting for the first time. War is also regularly cited as the best protagonist in the series.
Darksiders 2
- Darksiders 2 average Metascritic score: 83
Darksiders 2 centers on Death, the next Horseman of the Apocalypse. Narratively, it's a clever and understandable continuation from the first game, making it a strong follow-up. But it's also different enough from its predecessor, both in terms of story and gameplay, that a player can skip straight to it without much confusion. Darksiders 2 opens the series' formula up a bit, being a bit less linear and leaning further into RPG progression and exploration. Darksiders 2's setting also sets it apart from its older sibling, as it's much more consistent with traditional dark fantasy, as opposed to the urban fantasy tinge of the first game.
Darksiders 3
- Darksiders 3 average Metascritic score: 64
Though it is by far the worst-reviewed of the bunch, Darksiders 3 is still well worth a chance. For one thing, a lot of its negative publicity can be attributed to its poor technical state at launch, which has been cleared up by now. But Darksiders 3 has also been criticized for being too simplistic and conservative compared to its predecessors, with a greater focus on combat and progression as opposed to puzzles. Moreover, the game takes clear ques from the soulslike genre—a creative choice that didn't sit right with a lot of series' fans upon release. But opinions on Darksiders 3 have softened over time, with it receiving praise for its rewarding gameplay and striking visual design, among other things, so it shouldn't be written off entirely.
- Developer(s)
- Gunfire Games
- Publisher(s)
- THQ Nordic
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Franchise
- Darksiders
WHERE TO PLAY
The legendary saga of the Four Horsemen continues in Darksiders 4, an all-new action-adventure set in an apocalyptic version of earth and continues where the original Darksiders game left off.
Darksiders 4 is a 3rd person action adventure game featuring combat, traversal and puzzle solving in a lore rich post apocalyptic world.
Key Features
Choose Your Horseman
Take up one of the legendary Horsemen—each with their own unique weapons and combat styles
Cinematic Combat
Experience fast-paced, visceral action blending melee, fluid traversal, and supernatural abilities.
Expansive Realms to Explore
Journey through apocalyptic landscapes - each teeming with secrets, enemies, and mythic bosses.
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
