TheDarksidersfranchise has offered a different perspective on the adventures of the Four Horsemen. Over the span of three mainline games and one spin-off,Darksidershas gone through a number of shifts in genre and gameplay across different developers, but its action RPG elements remain as the highlights of the franchise.
Nearly six years afterDarksiders 3was released, publisherTHQ Nordic announced that it’s working on a fourth mainline game. The details are still under wraps, but it has been theorized that Strife might be the main protagonist since he is the only Horseman who has yet to have his own solo mainline game, apart from the spin-off prequelDarksiders: Genesis. This new chapter in the franchise also opens up an opportunity that longtime fans have been hoping for: making all Horsemen playable.
Darksiders 4 is Due For a Multiplayer Option With All Four Horsemen
Theoverarching story ofDarksiderssees all Four Horsemen fighting their own battles to prevent the Endwar between Heaven and Hell and to protect humankind from this colossal event. In the process of this, War is imprisoned by the Charred Council after being accused of prematurely starting the Endwar on Earth, while Death and Fury go on separate journeys to save their brother.
Strife
Darksiders: Genesis
The mainline games end on a cliffhanger with the Four Horsemen meeting up to prepare for the real Endwar on Earth. They’re also operating without the Charred Council preventing them from going against the forces of Heaven and Hell, including their own kind, the Nephilim.Darksidersfans have been patiently waiting for this next chapter to unfold, and they might finally get it in the upcoming game.
The first threeDarksidersgames have been single-player experiences as each title shared the individual stories of War, Death, and Fury. The spin-off prequel,Darksiders: Genesisis the first game in the franchise to include co-op, as fans get to play either Strife or War. It’s still unknown if the nextDarksidersgame will follow the same format as the mainline titles to feature just one playable protagonist, but the next logical step could be allowing players to alternate between the Four Horsemen and add co-op play.
Darksiders 4 Could Take Multiplayer Notes From Other Popular Franchises
When it comes to modern games that effectively pull off alternating playable characters,GTA 5always comes to mind. It features three protagonists with different stories and missions tailored for them, and it’s also able to bring them together to create a cohesive story.Darksidershas already established that the Four Horsemen are riding again in the next chapter, so it would only be fitting if players get to cover more ground by switching characters or playing as all four inDarksiders 4.
This would not only allow players to use each Horseman’s unique abilities anytime they want but also show how each character plays a vital role in stopping the Endwar on Earth. It would certainly be a great way to paint a picture of just how big the Endwar is, which will require thestrength of all four Horsemento defeat powerful boss enemies (and mini-bosses) to weaken the forces of Heaven and Hell.
Likewise, co-op could help lighten the load ofDarksiders 4players with companions to accomplish missions that help stop the Endwar. This could especially be helpful if the nextDarksidersgame adopts Souls-lite mechanicsagain, just like in the third game. Co-op mode has definitely improved the experience of games likeBaldur’s Gate 3andBorderlands 2as it encourages teamwork to reach a common goal, and the potential forDarksiders 4to have players beat bosses, find resources in secret areas, and prepare for a final battle together would cross a huge item of fans' series wish lists.
Darksiders 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Return to an apocalyptic Earth in Darksiders III, a hack-n-slash Action Adventure where players assume the role of FURY in her quest to hunt down and dispose of the Seven Deadly Sins. The most unpredictable and enigmatic of the Four Horsemen, FURY must succeed where many have failed – to bring balance to the forces that now ravage Earth. Darksiders III is the long-anticipated, third chapter in the critically-acclaimed Darksiders franchise.
