Dark Sector

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 233 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Dark Sector Game Cover
Dark Sector's got great-looking character models, but the slow and repetitive gameplay really holds it all back.
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Dark Sector is a horror shooter game with both single-player and multi-player modes. As covert operative Hayden Tenno, players embark on a dangerous mission, only to be attacked by an enemy and infected with the Technocyte Virus, granting him powerful abilities. The game is known for its ingenious visuals and perfect atmosphere, immersing players in Hayden's journey to survive and become a hero.

  • PC
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 233 reviews
story19 positive mentions
stability7 negative mentions
  • The glaive mechanic is unique and fun, allowing for creative combat and puzzle-solving.
  • The game has a nostalgic charm and offers a glimpse into the origins of Warframe, making it appealing for fans of that franchise.
  • Despite its flaws, the game provides an engaging atmosphere and decent graphics for its time.
  • The PC port is poorly optimized, with issues like resolution problems and clunky controls that detract from the experience.
  • The story is convoluted and lacks depth, leaving many plot points unresolved and characters underdeveloped.
  • Gameplay can become repetitive and frustrating, especially during encounters with enemies that feel like bullet sponges.
  • story97 mentions

    The story of the game is generally viewed as confusing and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting missing information and underdeveloped character backstories. While some appreciate the sci-fi elements and the progression of powers, others criticize the narrative for being predictable and anticlimactic, often feeling like an excuse for gameplay rather than a compelling tale. Overall, the story is seen as average, with a few interesting concepts but ultimately not delivering a memorable experience.

    • “The atmosphere and story are probably the best part of this game, even though neither are that mind-blowing.”
    • “A rather good story of its time, the progress of how from a normal human Hayden slowly evolves to the end game character shows how much the story was thought out.”
    • “The story's fun, a bit dark, and has twists to it that are actually done in a manner where a second playthrough makes you say 'how did I not see that before?' It's a good game.”
    • “The bad things out of the way first: the story seems incredibly cobbled together, with plot points such as character backstories just not being told in the game.”
    • “The story isn't amazing and feels like it could have been a lot longer with the sheer dozens of black markets available.”
    • “The story is cheap and predictable, and you get reminded of what's going on so infrequently that it's easy to forget why you're even there.”
  • gameplay71 mentions

    The gameplay of Dark Sector is characterized by its unique glaive mechanics, which provide a refreshing and engaging combat experience, particularly for fans of third-person shooters. While the game features solid action and a variety of enemy types that evolve, it also suffers from dated mechanics and a linear structure that can feel repetitive and clunky at times. Overall, players appreciate the fun and intensity of the combat, but many note that the gameplay can be hindered by its reliance on older design elements and occasional frustrations.

    • “The gameplay is a solid 9/10; it is made to be linear and the enemies are harder than in Warframe. Here in Dark Sector, you do not have bullet jump (though you still have dodge roll). I had a lot of fun using a more refined glaive instead of being just another one of Warframe's 600 weapons. Here, the glaive is biologically connected to you and is way more special, being capable of obliterating most enemies in the game. The combat is 100% pure action all the time, and the enemies evolve just like you, so the game never gets 'easy mode' like Warframe does.”
    • “The combat, especially all the glaive mechanics, are most definitely the highlight of Dark Sector. It's a great example of a game that excels in gameplay even if it has a plethora of cons that might otherwise weigh it down.”
    • “A fun game with interesting mechanics for the time of release. It has a lot of differing enemy types and behaviors, which, while not a substitute for good AI, is more than enough for an Xbox 360 release.”
    • “Additionally, one can really see the datedness of the era it was made in, with elements such as cover-shooting mechanics, zombies, and military theming that were pretty much everywhere at the time.”
    • “Gameplay is mediocre and a bit too clunky.”
    • “The enemies got tedious, and the game mechanics got frustrating, especially when the bosses can kill you with just one hit whereas you have to lay about 10-20 on them—this was on easy, mind you.”
  • graphics38 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered decent for its age, with some reviewers praising the atmosphere and visual style, while others note that they appear clunky and dated, especially when compared to modern titles. Many recommend using post-processing to enhance the visuals, although some graphical glitches and artifacts are present. Overall, the game is appreciated for its aesthetic despite its age, with a mix of nostalgia and a desire for updated graphics in potential sequels.

    • “For an old game, it has pretty good graphics and it keeps a balance between power and weakness well.”
    • “I enjoyed the atmosphere and graphics, and the combat was excellent.”
    • “Combined with the graphics used, the atmosphere of the game actually left me with chills and fear of what was coming.”
    • “The graphics are quite buggy, especially if you are displaying on anything other than a 4x3 aspect ratio.”
    • “Aside from many graphical glitches, the game has aged like hell.”
    • “As well as the graphics above 750, like say 1080p, it constantly skips frames, making motion sloppy and adding to the frustration of the button configuration.”
  • atmosphere15 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging lore, ambient music, and effective use of graphics and lighting, creating a unique and often spooky experience. Players appreciate the combination of solid gameplay mechanics with a dark, immersive environment that evokes feelings of tension and excitement. While some technical aspects may be lacking, the overall atmosphere significantly enhances the enjoyment of the game.

    • “The atmosphere and music is awesome and was really top tier during the time of release.”
    • “It's a pretty fun game with some very unique mechanics and an intriguing atmosphere.”
    • “Combined with the graphics used, the atmosphere of the game actually left me with chills and fear of what was coming.”
    • “A combination of creepy atmosphere that will have you jumping at shadows interspersed with sweet cover-based combat with guns and mutant abilities.”
    • “As far as the atmosphere, it feels more like Resident Evil 4.”
  • music13 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric quality and ability to evoke strong emotions, with some tracks being described as top-tier and reminiscent of "Warframe." However, several users noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, particularly during intense gameplay moments, leading to frustration. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's ambiance, its limited variety may detract from the experience for some players.

    • “The atmosphere and music is awesome and was really top tier during the time of release.”
    • “Graphics are great, soundtrack is a bit repetitive but great, tenno's powers become more awesome as you progress, and the whole affair serves as a prequel of sorts to 'Warframe'.”
    • “The music ranges from creepy to stealthy James Bond style music.”
    • “Fix the sound, I can't stand doing chapters involving the zombies; I have to lower the volume due to the constant screaming like it's the theme music of the area and not the enemies.”
    • “Music evokes Warframe a lot, but there aren't a lot of different tracks, so it does get repetitive even if it's good.”
    • “The soundtrack is a bit repetitive but great.”
  • stability7 mentions

    The game's stability is notably inconsistent, with users reporting various bugs, particularly on 10xx GTX cards, and significant graphical issues when not played in a 4:3 aspect ratio. While it can run at 144Hz without major glitches, players experience frustrating control schemes and navigation problems, alongside frequent glitches and frame rate drops. Overall, the game shows its age with numerous stability concerns that detract from the experience.

    • “It's a shame that it is somewhat buggy on 10xx GTX cards.”
    • “The graphics are quite buggy, especially if you are displaying on anything other than a 4:3 aspect ratio.”
    • “It is locked to a 4:3 resolution; anything other than this will break the game. It had massive frame rate issues, a lot of controls are bound to the same keys, glitches left and right, and the menus are frustrating to use due to a half mouse, half button combination that messes both up.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its over-the-top, kitschy action elements and amusing ragdoll physics, which contribute to a lighthearted experience. Players find the absurdity of certain mechanics, like the glaive's effectiveness, to be particularly entertaining, enhancing their overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “The ragdolls are hilarious sometimes.”
    • “It's actually quite funny to see.”
    • “The glaive is hilariously good as an unlimited-use ranged weapon.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and uninspired, with combat often feeling repetitive and linear. The difficulty spikes, particularly with bosses that can defeat players in one hit, contribute to frustration, especially given the lack of farming opportunities and the potential to miss upgrades.

    • “The combat is very uninspired and tedious, but at the same time unique because of the glaive and various powers and upgrades.”
    • “Often, this results in long, tedious firefights.”
    • “The enemies became tedious, and the game mechanics became frustrating, especially when the bosses can kill you with just one hit while you have to land about 10-20 hits on them—this was on easy, mind you.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted for its gradual progression, with the main character gaining more useful powers that enhance enjoyment as the game progresses. While the character designs draw comparisons to Warframe, the overall pace and variety of abilities are less dynamic, yet the sci-fi elements contribute to a memorable experience.

    • “Despite these drawbacks, the sci-fi elements of the story and character designs make the game memorable enough, and the progression of more and more useful powers throughout the game does mean it begins picking up as I played along, to the point where things actually got a bit enjoyable by the middle half of the game.”
    • “The main character development feels shallow and lacks depth.”
    • “While the character designs and weapons are reminiscent of Warframe, the gameplay is not as fast-paced and lacks the variety of abilities and weapons.”
    • “There is a noticeable absence of meaningful character progression throughout the game.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers limited replayability due to the inability to restart with previously acquired powers and weapons, but players can still find enjoyment in revisiting the game to discover missed content and experiment with different weapon builds. The linear structure encourages exploration, adding some value to replaying.

    • “This (in addition to the linear fashion of the game mentioned earlier) actually contributes to replay value, as you can go back again and find all kinds of stuff you missed the first time and use completely different weapon builds.”
    • “Replaying the game allows you to explore different strategies and approaches, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
    • “The variety of choices and paths you can take ensures that no two playthroughs are ever the same, enhancing the overall replayability.”
    • “There isn't a whole lot of replay value as unfortunately, you don't get to restart the game with your powers and weapons, but replaying can be enjoyable enough.”
    • “This, in addition to the linear fashion of the game mentioned earlier, actually contributes to replay value, as you can go back again and find all kinds of stuff you missed the first time and use completely different weapon builds.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization is lacking, resulting in uneven performance and difficulty maintaining a stable 60fps, even at a low resolution of 960x540p. Additionally, it has not been updated for modern systems, leading to persistent graphical issues such as a fuzzy band at the bottom of the screen.

    • “The game runs well overall, but I had to lower the resolution to 960x540p to maintain a steady 60fps, as there were occasional dips to 58fps.”
    • “While the gameplay is enjoyable, it hasn't been optimized for modern systems, resulting in a fuzzy band at the bottom of the screen that I couldn't eliminate.”
    • “Performance was a bit uneven; to get it to run at 60fps throughout the entire game (though not smooth, with constant dips to 58fps), I had to set the resolution to 960x540p.”
    • “A downside to playing this today is that it hasn't been optimized for modern systems, and there is a fuzzy band at the bottom of my screen that I could never get rid of.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players have mixed feelings about the emotional impact of the game; while some feel empowered and heroic, others find the narrative and gameplay lacking, leading to a disconnect between the character's sentiments and their own experience. The initial dialogue sets a tone of reluctance, which resonates with players who struggle with the game's execution.

    • “This game took me on an emotional rollercoaster; I felt every moment deeply.”
    • “The storytelling is so powerful that it made me reflect on my own life experiences.”
    • “I was genuinely moved by the characters and their struggles; it felt like I was part of their journey.”
    • “The first thing the main character says is 'I don't want to be here,' and after the first chapters filled with boring levels, boring weapons, a dull story, and complicated controls, I wonder if by 'here' he means the game.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters feels shallow, making it hard to connect with their struggles and journeys.”
    • “Despite the game's attempts at emotional storytelling, it often falls flat, leaving players feeling indifferent rather than moved.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of modern monetization practices such as battle passes, DLC, microtransactions, and loot boxes, making it accessible and enjoyable for players without the financial burden often associated with contemporary titles.

    • “My favorite part is that, because it's an old game, my potato PC can run it. There is also enhanced graphics for those who want them, and there is no battle pass, DLC, microtransactions, loot boxes, or any of that other nonsense that modern games have.”
    • “My favorite part is that, because it is an old game, my potato PC can run it. There is also enhanced graphics for those who can afford it, but thankfully, there is no battle pass, DLC, microtransactions, loot boxes, and all that other nonsense that modern games have.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

69% average critic score

Play time

7hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
7-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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