Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
Release Date: October 24, 2006
RPG, FPP, fantasy, Might & Magic, action RPG, immersive sim, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
Steam
Another attempt at a first-person action game set in the popular Might & Magic franchise. Dark Messiah of Might & Magic was created by then-unknown development team at Arcane Studios (who later became famous thanks to the Dishonored series) for Ubisoft, who bought the rights to the IP from its previous publisher, 3DO.
An FPP action game with elements of cRPG. This is the first Might & Magic game created after the closure of 3DO company and handing over the rights to the series to Ubisoft. The story focuses on a young hero named Sareth, trained in combat and magic by a powerful sorcerer in order to defeat the Dark Messiah who is endangering the world of Ashan. This game is often referred to as “the dark side of Might & Magic”.
On your way, you can find about 40 weapons and learn a few dozen combat spells. This variety makes it possible to take on enemies in close up melee combat with a sword or a dagger or at range with a bow or magic. The game’s world consists of 12 large levels. They are inhabited by creatures who know no mercy or forgiveness. In Ashan, forces of evil are stronger than anywhere else, and your life is ever endangered by fearless orcs, cruel goblins, treacherous trolls, filthy undead, huge dragon-like beasts, and many other monsters of striking sizes and wickedness. Many a time, the only way to trick death is staying in shadows and sneaking past enemies.
Dark Messiah of Might & Magic interweaves elements of cRPG. By earning valuable experience the player unlocks new items, specializations, and abilities that can later be effectively used in combat – combos, spells, or deadly critical hits.
Multiplayer allows for up to 32 people to play together. There is a variety of available play modes, starting with a simple Deathmatch – popular in many FPP games – through Evolution, which lets you progress your character during expansive online scenarios.
The graphics is generated by an improved version of Source Engine, previously used by Valve Studios in Half-Life 2. The improvements include the character control, physics of the environment, and character models.
Last updated on August 14, 2015
Last Update: January 2, 2007
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic Game Guide
Complete walkthrough for Dark Messiah of Might and Magic.
Videos and Screens
[2:09] Dark Messiah of Might and Magic launch movie
[1:22] Dark Messiah of Might and Magic #2
The main pros of the game
- Engaging Gameplay: Many users praised the unique combat system that allows for creative interactions with the environment, such as using physics to kick enemies into traps or off cliffs.
- Interesting Story: The narrative, featuring choices that lead to different endings, was found to be engaging, particularly the character of Xana, the succubus.
- Nostalgic Appeal: Players noted that the game has aged well in terms of fun and mechanics, with some considering it a classic in the action-RPG genre.
- Fun Combat Mechanics: The use of melee, magic, and environmental traps in combat was highlighted as a standout feature, providing a varied and enjoyable experience.
- Strong Visuals: Some areas of the game, particularly catacombs and ruins, were noted for their artistic direction and visual appeal.
The main cons of the game
- Technical Issues: A significant number of reviews mentioned frequent crashes, especially on modern machines, which detracted from the overall experience.
- Clunky Gameplay: Some users found the combat to be somewhat clunky and not as refined as expected, comparing it unfavorably to more modern RPGs.
- Linear and Repetitive Levels: The late-game levels were criticized for being lengthy and less imaginative, leading to a feeling of repetition.
- Character Development: Many characters aside from Xana were described as forgettable, with limited depth.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Improved Technical Stability: Users expressed a desire for better optimization and stability on modern systems, as many experienced crashes and bugs.
- Deeper Character Development: Players noted that more fleshed-out characters and storylines could enhance the game's narrative depth.
- Enhanced Stealth Mechanics: Some reviewers felt that the stealth aspect was underdeveloped and could benefit from more robust mechanics.
- Multiplayer Functionality: There were mentions of issues with multiplayer, with some users unable to launch or play it effectively.
Summary
- Overall, while "Dark Messiah of Might & Magic" is celebrated for its innovative gameplay and engaging combat, it suffers from technical problems and a lack of depth in character development, which may deter some players, especially newcomers to the genre.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 4865 votes. 129 players anticipated the game.
23
GAMES
in Might and Magic Game Series
Game Series
Might and Magic Series
A series of cRPG games in fantasy realities. The series was created by the New World Computing studio. Currently, the rights to the brand are held by Ubisoft, and such studios as Limbic Entertainment, Capybara Games and Black Hole Entertainment are involved in its development.
23 video games
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows October 24, 2006
Xbox 360 February 12, 2008
Developer: Arkane Studios
Publisher: Ubisoft
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Pentium 4 3.2 GHz, 1 GB RAM, graphic card 256MB (GeForce FX5900 or better), 7 GB HDD, Windows XP
Xbox 360
Supports: Xbox Live
Modders Breath New Life in Dark Messiah, Including RTX Support, Co-op; Ubisoft Approves
Ubisoft has given the green light to a group of modders who have set their sights on improving the 17-year-old hit by Arcane: Dark Messiah of Might and Magic.
video games
Kamil Kleszyk
August 29, 2023