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Darkwind

Darkwind Game Cover
62%Game Brain Score
gameplay, humor
graphics, story
58% User Score Based on 331 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

PCMac OSWindows
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Darkwind Game Cover

About

Darkwind is a multiplayer open world role playing game with post-apocalyptic and science fiction themes. It was developed by Psychic Software and was released on August 22, 2014. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and neutral reviews from players.

Battle for survival and supremacy in a gritty post-apocalyptic world of vehicular combat where strategy and tactics determines who wins. Darkwind is a simultaneous turn-based, physics-based game. It is often described as "X-Com meets Mad Max" or "Car Wars Online".

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Darkwind screenshot
Darkwind screenshot
Darkwind screenshot
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58%
Audience ScoreBased on 331 reviews
gameplay16 positive mentions
graphics18 negative mentions
  • Unique and niche game with a turn-based car combat system inspired by Car Wars and Mad Max, providing deep tactical gameplay and realistic physics.
  • Highly engaging for players who enjoy strategic planning, vehicle customization, perma-death mechanics, and a strong, helpful community.
  • The game offers various modes including racing, deathracing, arena combat, scouting, and trade within a persistent post-apocalyptic world.
  • User interface and game management split between an outdated client and a browser, making navigation confusing and cumbersome especially for new players.
  • Dated graphics and sound, with frequent bugs and lack of ongoing developer support leading to frustration and technical issues.
  • Steep learning curve combined with long wait times for events, real-time delays in repairs and travel, and a dwindling player base that impact overall accessibility and enjoyment.
  • graphics
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in Darkwind are widely regarded as outdated, crude, and mediocre, often described as a major drawback that may deter new players. However, despite poor visuals and a clunky interface, many reviewers emphasize that the gameplay depth, physics, and community engagement more than compensate for the aged graphics, making it appealing mainly to those who prioritize gameplay over aesthetics.

    • “The gore and graphical detail during the events is very entertaining and gives the game a grim and humorous feel.”
    • “However, if Darkwind 2 ever became a reality, and the interface and graphics engine from the late 1900s were updated, and the RPG elements refined, there's half a chance that this game would own this niche, because the physics of the racing/guns and apocalyptic setting are that good.”
    • “Great community, great gameplay, subpar graphics that get the job done with an old school style.”
    • “Visually, this has some fairly mediocre and dated looking graphics that will understandably be a turn off for a lot of gamers, and it's a big contributor to the failure of the game to attract gamers despite having no up-front cost.”
    • “Slow and the graphics are a tad bit outdated; it looks and feels like a game from a shady East European website.”
    • “Learning curve and controls are a mess, tutorial needs to be revamped, gameplay way too out of this world (bad), graphics lousy, come on a deathrace turn-based game... seriously.”
  • gameplay
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is deeply strategic, turn-based, and uniquely addictive, offering versatile play styles including co-op, PvP, and solo modes with perma-death mechanics. However, it suffers from a steep learning curve, clunky interface, poor tutorials, and dated graphics that can frustrate new players, though the committed community helps bridge knowledge gaps. Overall, its complex and rewarding gameplay stands out despite outdated visuals and usability issues.

    • “Never have I found a game with such unique gameplay (once you get past the learning curve), addicting game modes, versatile playstyle capability, committed fan base (as of 2023 still very active), and unique concepts.”
    • “The depth of the gameplay is second to none, which is a credit to the game's lone developer, Sam.”
    • “The gameplay is divided between events like racing and arena combat and then patrolling where you salvage vehicles and supplies.”
    • “The lack of proper tutorials or guidance makes it difficult to understand the complex mechanics and strategies, leading to confusion and frustration.”
    • “The menus are hard to navigate, the physics are unreliable, and many of the mechanics are completely unexplained outside of the wiki.”
    • “Learning curve and controls are a mess, tutorial needs to be revamped, gameplay way too out of this world (bad), graphics lousy, come on a deathrace turn-based game... seriously.”
  • story
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in Darkwind is minimal and emergent, serving more as a backdrop generated by player interactions and decisions rather than a predefined narrative. While it lacks traditional storytelling and guidance, the game offers a unique experience where each player’s journey creates its own evolving story, enhanced by an engaged community. However, some players find the lack of clear mission direction and complexity in managing multiple vehicles challenging.

    • “There is a story waiting for you in this game.”
    • “If they die, they're just another part of the story you're experiencing for your gang.”
    • “It gives you everything you need to experience crazy things, but without railroading you into someone else's story.”
    • “Darkwind doesn't have much of a story.”
    • “The developer gambled that other players would be an acceptable substitute for adding storytelling, level design, etc. to the game.”
    • “But no mission clarification, and the tutorial had 240 rounds; I was at 56 when I got bored of waiting.”
  • grinding
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Grinding in the game is considered somewhat tedious but manageable, especially early on when lacking resources. While some players appreciate the strategic depth and challenge without spoon-feeding, there is criticism that progression is hindered by the heavy reliance on real-money purchases for vehicles, which creates an imbalance between free-to-play and paying players.

    • “I really tried to like this one but it is just too tedious.”
    • “I get that when you first start out and don't have any vehicles and weak gang members it can be a grind to get rolling, but what good MMO player doesn't like a little grinding?”
    • “*8/22 changed to no because 70% of vehicles can only be bought with real money, that is not the free to play I like, people that put money will get things that are not possible to get through grinding and have better stats, I will play more and update though.”
  • music
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally described as loud and repetitive, with some users finding it overly common for its era and others experiencing sudden volume spikes that are jarring. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a negative aspect due to its audio inconsistencies and lack of variety.

    • “The soundtrack is cool, but quickly gets repetitive.”
    • “Music is a bit too loud, although it's pretty common music for the time the game was released.”
    • “"Your game is about to start" - music explodes your speakers, going from quiet to shaking the house loud.”
    • “The music is, in one word, awful.”
    • “The music is a bit too loud, although it's pretty common music for the time the game was released.”
    • “When the game starts, the music suddenly explodes through the speakers, going from quiet to shaking the house loud, which is quite jarring.”
  • humor
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in Darkfall is noted for its unexpected charm, blending funny moments with a grim, entertaining tone driven by detailed gore and events. Despite some frustrations with game mechanics, players find the concept amusing and addictive, appreciating its unique, darkly humorous appeal.

    • “Darkfall definitely has potential and creates funny moments.”
    • “The gore and graphical detail during the events is very entertaining and gives the game a grim and humorous feel.”
    • “How can a turn-based car game work sounds lame but meh might as well try it, and well now I'm super addicted to it and loving it. Kind of funny they say I'm the only girl on it!”
  • monetization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's monetization is heavily criticized for aggressive microtransactions that resemble mobile app store tactics, making it feel like a cash grab. This approach disrupts the gameplay experience, limiting free exploration and causing frustration with repetitive, time-gated races.

    • “As mentioned, this isn't really free as the game is infested with mobile app store-like microtransactions.”
    • “Game is terrible, it's a cash grab. Don't even bother. You can't just go out and have fun exploring, etc. You have to sign up for a race, then wait forever just to die in 4 minutes and then do it again.”
  • optimization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game suffers from significant optimization issues, including frequent stuttering and a poorly performing engine, resulting in a frustrating user experience.

    • “It's a stuttering experience, with an atrocious user interface and broken engine.”
  • atmosphere
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere blends RPG and racing elements, creating a unique old-school PC game feel that many players find appealing and well-suited to the overall experience.

    • “This game has the atmosphere of both RPG and racing game put together.”
    • “I feel it serves the game very well, giving it an old school PC game atmosphere, which I enjoy.”
  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game has notable stability issues and bugs, which can be frustrating for new players, especially when combined with an unwelcoming community. While experienced players may exploit these glitches, the overall stability is problematic and not well-addressed.

    • “If you decide you are thick skinned and highly tolerant and want to try it anyway, I highly recommend not paying a dime into the premium content until you have characters that have months of training under their belt because the premium content is not for new characters. Most of the veteran players will just ridicule you if you complain, even about bugs, as the game has many callous fanboys who think it's perfect despite its current buggy but exploitable condition.”
    • “Some glitches.”
  • emotional
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game delivers a deeply emotional experience, offering a rollercoaster of feelings that can be both rewarding and demanding on the player's time and resources.

    • “Give it a chance and it'll reward you with an emotional rollercoaster and a drain on both your time and your resources.”
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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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30h Median play time
44h Average play time
3-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Darkwind is a open world role playing game with post-apocalyptic and science fiction themes.

Darkwind is available on PC, Mac OS and Windows.

On average players spend around 44 hours playing Darkwind.

Darkwind was released on August 22, 2014.

Darkwind was developed by Psychic Software.

Darkwind has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its graphics.

Darkwind is a multiplayer game with local co-op support.

Similar games include Fallen Earth, Panzar, Time of Dragons, Mortal Online, Heavy Metal Machines and others.