Review by: Meghan Watt

We generally define the Apocalypse as the end of days: God rains judgment upon the Earth and life as we know it takes a very new direction. But for Darksiders, Judgment Day is just the beginning. With explosive weapon combos, varied platforming puzzles and a healthy dose of Mark Hamill, Vigil Games’ first title makes the destruction of mankind look undeniably exhilarating, except for the whole “killing all humans” part, of course.

Tossing you into the steel-toed boots of War, one of the four prophesied horsemen of the Apocalypse, the game begins in utter chaos. Slithering demon minions, golden angels, tiny humans and a host of other beasts are scattered about the city, tearing each other to shreds, and you're standing smack in the middle with nothing but a blade that makes Cloud Strife's Buster sword look like a butter knife. But before you know it, humanity is wiped out, God is M.I.A. and you're left holding the smoking gun for the destruction of mankind.

So, with a chip on your shoulder and a knack for kicking ass, you journey in search of vengeance against those who framed you. Thankfully, War doesn't lack for sweet, demon-slaying weapons. In the first couple hours of the game, War has only his sword and a handful of combos such as X, X, X and X, (pause), X. Just as you begin to think your entire adventure will be a big ol' button masher, you collect your first secondary weapon, a lengthy scythe that you use with the Y button. As you purchase more complex combos with souls reaped from the dead, you can seamlessly transition from one weapon to the other.

Later weapons and items, such as War's Tremor Gauntlet and boomerang-like Crossblade, can also be interwoven. Just assign weapons to the D-Pad, and you can switch mid-combat without losing any ground. As you progress through the game, you can pull off better and better strings of moves. Then, not only can you destroy enemies with ease, but you can look just the way an Apocalyptic horseman should.