Week 5

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Join us every week for insightful anecdotes and funny insights into the world of video games

Welcome to week 5 of Press Start to Play Article Edition. I have played a lot of games in the lengthy absence. This week’s game is Dark Sector for the X-Box 360.

Dark Sector is the first game in the series produced by D3 and Digital Extremes. It is available for the X-Box 360, PS3 and the PC.

Dark Sector definitely starts off well. You are Hayden who gets infected with a virus which protrudes a glaive in your hand. The glaive is upgradable as well as your various weapons. The upgrades for your guns are scattered throughout the world however so upgrading can be a pain. It also costs you currency to upgrade and buy new things at the scattered Black Market. Ammo must also be found as you progress through the game.

The difficulty of the game is not at all hard. As you get infected you are not able to use your enemies’ guns so some strategizing may have to take place. There are different difficulties to choose from. The boss battles are very well made with lots of variety and the enemies also give variety with intense battles.

Speaking of variety there are various ways to subdue your enemy. The glaive has special powers where you can throw it at an energy signal such as fire, ice or electricity and that element will have various effects on your enemies. The glaive also gives you the ability to control it after being thrown, the ability to throw it harder and the ability to put up a protective shield. These abilities are also used throughout your adventure. With these various methods of killing there are the old shoot ‘em ups, takedowns or grenade throws.

The graphics are very well made. The colors give a certain dark theme to the game. The problem with this is that the game may get a little too dark and you may have trouble seeing in certain areas. The blood and gore in the game is very well made as well. When you cut off various parts of an enemy the gushing blood is just fun to watch and enjoy.

The online games are also fun to play. A mode called infection allows you to start off as a regular soldier and kill Hayden or play as Hayden and destroy the soldiers. Another mode called epidemic pins two teams of five where one player is Hayden and the teams go head-to-head to see which leader dies first.

Dark Sector is a solid game with lots of variety and a good story which may let some people down at the end. You should be able to get about 12 hours from it. I give Dark Sector 3.5 out of 5.

Do not forget to check out the Press Start to Play Podcast at pstp.podbean.com which is hosted by two of my affiliates Ricardo and Patrick.

If you have any suggestions of games you would like me to review feel free to contact me at ric_edone@hotmail.com.

My time is up here so check back next week to see what I’ve been playing. Good luck gaming!