Introduction

Published by: Gathering of Developers
Developer: Delphine Software

Wait, that's not Diablo

For those of you who loved Diablo and want more, but can't wait for Revenant (err, or Diablo II), those insidious Frenchies over at Delphine Software have got a game for you. Darkstone, a "Diablo-style action rpg," has all the elements of gameplay that made Diablo such a success, and a bunch of new niceties as well. It's entering into a dangerous realm, though, with two more similar games about to enter its market. How does Darkstone stack up to what we know about its competitors-to-be? Read on to find out. Or don't. See if I care. I don't need you guys. I can make it on my own. I'll just become . . . a caveman. Yeah! A caveman.

Darkstone's features include a large number of, well, numbers. Get this one: 100 enemies, 22 types of weapons, 22 skills, 32 spells, 37 levels, 3 D's, 2 simultaneous characters. Now, I know what you're thinking. "Whoah," you're thinking, "dude!" For those of you with a few more brain cells, those simultaneous characters are in single-player mode; whichever character you aren't commanding at the time will get your back during battles, with both weapons and magic. This proves an invaluable asset, because as we all know, four hands are better than two.

Story-in-a-can

Darkstone's story is about as creative as your average Backstreet Boys song. You're in a land that was peaceful and harmonious, but then Drakk, this evil necromancer dude who can also turn into a dragon, had to come along. Unfortunately, he wants nothing more than to destroy the entire planet. We're not really sure why; our guess is too much rock music and access to the 'net. We all know that can make a killer out of anyone.

Regardless of why Drakk's panties are in a knot, you're the only one that can do anything about it. Why? Because you (and your computer-controlled buddy in single player, or real-live friends in multiplayer) are Pure of Heart. And gosh darnit, you've got a moral obligation to do the right thing, Spike-Lee style. Never mind that there are eight separate characters to choose from, and up to four can play in a multiplayer game. So the only eight Pure of Heart people in the world are running around this lil' land. It's simply a bizarre coincidence, just like when 800 copies of Large Wimmin' ended up on Kenn's desk last week.

Evil Monolith

Nice . . . hero