Darksiders II Designer "Frustrated" By Comparisons To Zelda
Darksiders IIIt's often part of a journalist's or critic's job to compare a new game to other familiar titles, just so the public has a reference point.
But some game makers aren't too thrilled with these comparisons, even when those comparisons are quite flattering. Take Vigil Games lead designer for Darksiders II Haydn Dalton, for instance. In a recent Videogamer interview, he says he isn't a big fan of constant comparisons, even if Zelda is included. Said Dalton:
"If anyone says it's like the games that you talked about, of course, anything like that we see as a compliment. But it's a curse as well because they see it as, like, you haven't really done anything to earn that. Everyone has seen [Zelda]. Why isn't everyone else doing it? People have tried to do things like that but they've completely failed at it.
We seem like we've done it right but we still get a little bit whipped for it. We're trying to do something that we think is fun in a genre that I think is dying now. It's hard to do and it costs a lot of money and we're still trying to keep the idea of that action-adventure genre going. It feels a little hurtful sometimes when people are hurting us for doing that."
He went on to say that critics should use comparisons as a reference point, but they definitely start to feel like "derogatory remarks" when they go, "Well, it's just this." For example, it drives him nuts when Darksiders II is said to be a "carbon copy" of God of War...it isn't, and he wants us to know it. For our part, we're pretty excited about this new sequel; it seems to have oodles of potential.
It does remind us of.....oh, just kidding. We won't do it.
Related Game(s): Darksiders II
Tags: darksiders ii, darksiders 2, thq, vigil games, darksiders sequel
7/25/2012 10:36:45 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (29 posts)
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 12:16:19 PM
2 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 12:28:20 PM
3 up, 6 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 12:47:12 PM
0 up, 1 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 1:00:51 PM
1 up, 2 down
xenris
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 1:47:26 PM
I thought the art style was refreshing but I love things that look different. I really was sold on the excellent combat and overall pacing of the game.
To each there own. Maybe Death with appeal to you more jawk.
0 up, 1 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 4:54:00 PM
0 up, 1 down
Neo_Aeon666
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 8:29:38 PM
I see you like em plain, young and in their pre-puberty :P ... That could be seen as illegal :D lol
2 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 9:46:01 PM
0 up, 2 down
Neo_Aeon666
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 6:57:34 PM
Well I took into account that you love Zelda and you just said that the Manly art of DarkSider was one of your main turn-offs.
I kind of think it fits... I mean you of all people should know Link does look like a 14-15 yrs old teen. Or way less when you play as Young Link. And you love that game meaning you also love the style...
Still I can agree I have a twisted mind :D lolll
Last edited by Neo_Aeon666 on 7/26/2012 7:00:16 PM
3 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 11:29:05 AM
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I absolutely agree that the action-adventure type games are a dying breed. They used to seem so prevalent back in the day. So I see his point when he says that it's probably not a good thing to say Darksiders is like Zelda+God of War. It sort of pigeon holes the game's identity as a knock-off, where back in the day games like Zelda, Faxanadu, Metroid, Simon's Quest, Legacy of Kain etc., shared a large genre together, claiming any single one directly to another leads to a lot of assumptions.
Anyhow, this new Darksiders looks solid. The first game helped scratch that Zelda =p itch I had this gen without having to lower myself to the Wii standard, or buy extraneous peripherals.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 7/25/2012 11:29:50 AM
1 up, 0 down
berserk
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 11:58:02 AM
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Sorry but it s hard not to compare the 2 but one thing for sure , it s a day 1 purchase for me ( the loot closed the deals for me ) .
4 up, 0 down
xenris
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 11:58:58 AM
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I love Darksiders world, I loved the story, and the dungeons and puzzles and combat were all blended perfectly so none of them felt like they were dragging on.
I also think Darksiders is at least evolving the genre where Zelda has evolved very little from game to game. Except for a gimmick that each game is built around, like the ocarina, or the wand or ugh...motion controls.
The edition to a loot system is going to make this one addictive game.
I platinumed this game just because of how solid and refreshing it felt. You can say it copies Zelda but it plays much better and smoother in my opinion and had better flow to it.
Its an action adventure game and it is a genre that is dying out this generation. Most games are on rails or so sandbox you lose direction.
Its the same crap other good shooters get. Its either too close to CoD but its not CoD, or its not enough like CoD so why not just play CoD. I would be frustrated if I was him as well.
Last edited by xenris on 7/25/2012 12:02:53 PM
7 up, 1 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 12:13:13 PM
You are making claims about a game you haven't played in nearly 20 years. Do you even realize how ridiculous your post sounds?
5 up, 5 down
xenris
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 1:54:03 PM
I have played all of the major console zeldas I worded that poorly, apologies. Note how I said I loved wind waker? I guess I will have to proof read my posts.
Your over reaction and hostility was expected though. I suggest linden tea and an Epsom salt bath to release some unneeded tension in your body.
6 up, 1 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 3:23:22 PM
Last edited by Jawknee on 7/25/2012 3:25:48 PM
1 up, 4 down
xenris
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 5:24:43 PM
If you don't like it because you don't like the art style and the combat isn't for you or whatever your reasons are for not liking it thats fine, but many many people loved it for those very things. I wouldn't say there is anything mediocre about it, it has excellent voice acting, interesting bosses, lots of exploration and secrets, collectables, and for me really fun fluid combat.
If this game builds on that then I think it might be my personal game of the year, other than journey that doesn't really count because nothing can touch it.
2 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 12:15:30 PM
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Sad that this style is dying though, I think the reason is the gameplay is more important than the story and effects and whatnot in a genre where the cinematic nature of something like Uncharted is more popular. You can't really make a game like Darksiders as a cinematic production and have it be as enjoyable for fans of old school gameplay.
2 up, 0 down
xenris
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 1:55:37 PM
I am also sad the genre is dying. One of the most satisfying genres for me to play.
0 up, 0 down
DrRockso87
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 12:48:26 PM
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Again, I can understand why he's upset about the comparisons but, I mean, that's just how it is. Darksiders seriously does feel like Zelda. God of War as well while ripping off Portal! That's not even speculation; they seriously ripped off Portal. But again, who cares? Game is great! I'm not complaining.
4 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 3:13:53 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
EMax
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 4:28:52 PM
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1 up, 0 down
YashaZz
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 5:28:34 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 6:02:14 PM
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A cool read for Darksiders 2 fans.
They even talk about Jawknee in the interview =p He's mr. popular in this thread;)
"Funny story in Darksiders 1 is, we did a usability test and they hated everything about the game -- they hated the story, they hated the character, they hated the art, they hated it all. And then you look at the play time, and they were spending an hour in an area that's supposed to be 10 minutes."
-David Adams
1 up, 0 down
La_Bete12
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 7:42:28 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Akuma07
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 10:09:48 PM
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I am SO glad that I did try it, and disappointed that I never got into it years ago. It really is an awesome and fun game.
Darksiders 2 looks like it is going to be 5x more intense the the 1st, and I cannot wait.
Collectors Edition here I come!
0 up, 0 down
___________
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 5:28:53 AM
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but hes taking it too personal, he makes it sound like people are trying to make it sound like there not doing anything new there just copying other games.
there not saying that, there just comparing it to other games so people know what there similar too.
im a bit worried about this though.
simply because it suffers from what every sequel this gen suffers from.
it has to be a TOTALLY different game!
the ONLY thing that made darksiders so awesome was its slow paced heavy strategic combat system.
and now they have replaced it with a much more athletic, acrobatical, much, much, MUCH faster paced death.
sigh.
why?
why do sequels have to be completely different to their predecessors?
why cant they just be exactly the same but bigger and better?
i really, really hope this turns out like red faction guerrilla.
a game that is TOTALLY different from the franchise, but still a awesome game!
instead of RE5, a game that is TOTALLY different from the franchise and sucks donkey balls because of it.
only time will tell, but i will be SO disappointed if this flops!
i just hope this does well enough for another darksiders game, and this time for the love of god bring war back!!!!!!!!!!!
0 up, 0 down
xenris
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 3:33:15 PM
I think this game will hit the spot.
0 up, 0 down
DeathOfChaos
Friday, July 27, 2012 @ 1:07:20 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Reply
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 10:49:37 AM