Darksiders

Once I'd picked up the hookshot, it was clear to me that Vigil's wholesale copying of the Zelda formula was 100% intentional. Which is why I was so thrown off when my next item turned out to be the gun from Portal.

Darksiders does a lot, but none of it could really be called its own. For the most part - excepting a general lack of sidequests, the sometimes-repetitive combat, an underimplemented world map, and the way-too-fucking-long Black Throne dungeon - it's fairly well-executed, if extremely familiar.

The one thing that Darksiders can really lay claim to is its story and mythos, although it could have been done much better -- past the intro cinematics, and getting to know the NPCs, it pretty much puts storytelling on hold until the last hour or so, where the whole plot comes out in a confusing whirlwind.

Through the versatility of its engine, and the obvious thought put into its backstory, the Darksiders concept has a lot of potential. I hope the inevitable sequel(s) mix things up a bit more, though.

Better than: your average Zelda clone
Not as good as: a real Zelda
Your mileage will vary: depending on how much you like hitting demons with swords

Progress: Finished on Normal