Dark Void for the 360: A Mixed Bag

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The gameplay of this sci fi/action game (which borrows a great deal of its plot from other sci fi franchises, i.e. The Matrix, Stargate, etc.) is broken up into two main categories: Your average, by the books, terrestrial 3rd person shooter, and the aerial combat where your character utilizes a jet pack or commandeers an ally or enemy ship.

The game starts as a basic run and gun and the first few levels go by quickly, then the flying component is added as is the difficulty. While the flying levels are amusing, the controls take some getting used to and lifting off must be done with great care. From a control standpoint, the most irritating aspect is that in regards to flying, you have to press the same button twice in order to initiate flight. Once to bring up a screen prompt confirmation, and again to actually begin flight. Not a major issue, unless you're in a hurry to get out of a tight situation.

The game also heavily features onscreen button sequences in boss battles and whenever you're taking down/control of a large vehicle. It gets hackneyed after awhile and its overused in Dark Void.

One addition to the game that is very amusing is the vertical cover option in which you can look above or over a ledge to shoot enemies below. In some levels it can get disorienting depending on whether the objective is to climb or descend, but its still an excellent gameplay addition.

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The campaign mode is amusing, but forgetful, I won't ever have fond memories of playing this game and beating its campaign in a few short hours. Outside of the regular campaign, well that's it. Most of the advertising materials I saw for Dark Void came with the tag line Fly Anywhere. Fight Everywhere. It should read, "Fly Anywhere. Fight Everywhere (except online.)"

Therein lies one of the fundamental flaws of this game:no online component. No Live death matches or co-op campaigns, nada. The combat, though not spectacular, is decent enough to warrant an online component. The aerial combat online alone could prove amusing between several Live users.

With Dark Void, the basic choice in terms of game modes is simply the difficulty of the campaign, and in 2010 where most action/adventure titles such as Halo or Gears of War have lengthy online options, this is unacceptable.

If there is ever a sequel or any updated release, Capcom must make it a priority to have some online gameplay, though I don't know by then how many gamers would actually be interested.