Dark Sector

Back in '08 I downloaded the Dark Sector demo on the PSN. I played it a few times and forgot about it. Little did I know we would meet again... I just picked up a copy of it for $9.97 at my local Walmart. It was quite the "wow" moment.

Dark Sector is an entertaining and violent-limb-severing third-person shooter. You play as CIA agent Hayden Tenno. Threatened with a massive and deadly outbreak of the "technocyte" virus (think of it as a cooler T-virus), he is sent in to clean up the mess. Hayden suffers from congenital analgia: A (real) condition that doesn't allow him to feel pain. After the prologue, Hayden is infected by a bio-weapon--that reminds me of an metallic Arthurian knight--controlled by Robert Mezner; the antagonist. Hayden is able to reap the benefits of the infection. So instead of being driven to rage by the extreme pain of the strange virus, he gains the ability to use the "glaive": a three-pronged chakram. It's a part of Hayden's body and is very useful at maiming enemies.

The game is an over-the-shoulder type shooter. Hayden can shoot from the hip or aim for more precise attacks. He can take over behind obstacles, dodge, melee up close, perform "finishers" and do pretty much anything else you'd expect from a third person shooting game. The glaive is what brings the spice. It's damaging and can be charged up and even be controlled manually after being throwed (think of Heavenly Sword's "aftertouch"). You gradually gain these glaive powers in the beginning of the game.

Another interesting gameplay mechanic: after the prologue you cannot pick up enemy weapons anymore without them eventually just disappearing in a flash of light. This is due to an infection countermeasure. This is neat because when you find yourself running low on ammo for your trusty pistol you can use the glaive to snag a dropped weapon on the ground and use it for 15 or so seconds. Although, eventually you gain access to the "black market". You can purchase and upgrade weapons there.

However the game is held back by a few things. The voice acting is usually solid but sometimes goofy. There are also graphical glitches here and there that don't necessarily take away from the experience but certainly annoy. Also, enemy AI could use refinement. They're not dumb, but often rely on the same tactics.

Dark Sector is a great game to pick up if you can't afford Resident Evil 5 right now. It's sure to be sitting in a game store somewhere for around or less than 20 bucks. VERDICT: [3.5/5]