Review: Dark Sector for the Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 game Dark Sector is a unique take on the third person over-the-shoulder action game and it has an interesting storyline that will keep you entertained while you play through it. The game follows a Hayden Tenno, a CIA operative in a former soviet state where a malevolent virus has threatened the populace. Hayden is infected at the beginning of the game and it mutates him giving him the ability to grow a three-bladed weapon called a “glaive” at will. The glaive can be thrown at enemies and it will return like a boomerang. On top of the glaive Hayden can pick up and use any weapon in the environment; however enemy weapons have proximity detectors and will blow up if you go too far away from the body so you have a very limited range with stolen weapons. You also always have your pistol but ammo is in short supply so when you can use the glaive it is highly advisable.
Throughout the game there are a few sewers that act as hubs for a black market operation where you can buy weapons and upgrades with money that you find lying around the environment. You will encounter many enemies in bio-suits throughout the game as well as zombies, a byproduct of the virus. Your glaive will play a key part in the game, it will be necessary to open locks and to take down some barriers so it is important to master the mechanics. The game is appropriately titled since many of the environments are very dark and can be slightly difficult to navigate. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a variety of environments many of the environments are outside and very light.
The games controls are decent but can be a little slow at times, especially when zombies are attacking and you want to attack quickly (the problem is similar to the pistol melee in Halo, why does the Master Chief flip the pistol? It is a waste of time and the glaive melee can be slow like this too) The camera view is similar to Gears of War so it is no problem. The graphics aren’t bad and the glaive can actually slice off limbs which is probably a main reason why the game is rated “M.” The puzzles can be a little difficult to solve without a guide but when you realize that throwing your glaive at electric panels or fire will temporarily charge it or light it on fire allowing you to then electrify or set fire to an object that will help immensely. Overall the game is not bad but not worth going out of your way, I wouldn’t pay more than $20 on it (I actually got it free)
Gameplay: 8
Story: 8
Replay Value: 7
Graphics: 8
Overall: 7.75