Did I just do...what I think I did?

This weekend I was able to do something I rarely do. When I say rarely, we’re talking four-leaf clover, Haley’s Comet, the man outlasting the woman type rare.  This is one of those things you mark on the calendar, look back 10 years later, and say “Wow…I really did that?!?” and find it hard to believe your own writing.

This weekend I finished a game.

That’s right…I was actually able to get to the end credits of a game.  This is not something that I’m accustomed to in any way, shape, or form.  I have a self-diagnosed case of Attention Deficit Gaming Disorder, or ADGD.  My internal chemistry makes me look at a new game with the shiny “My precioooouuusssss” look in my eye, and yet after so many hours of play, find that the gold looses it’s luster and my attention wanders.

For a game to be good enough to hold onto my gaming time from beginning to end is a rare thing indeed.  One of two things needs to be true.  Either the game has to be remarkably short, or remarkably good.  By short, I mean short enough that it can keep the attention of a hyperactive 6-year old.  Unfortunately, that’s my attention span with regards to games.  I’ve been told half the battle is acknowledging you have a problem…yeah right.  Or, we’re talking groundbreaking, go to the highest mountain and scream at the top of your lungs good.  The type of game that really DOES earn the “10” rating from the reviewers and gamers alike.  Needless to say, they are pretty rare.

Fortunately, I found one that took on, for good or bad, a bit of both of the categories that allows me to stick with it until the end.  The game is The Darkness.  I picked up the copy on the cheep after someone in the forums finished it off, and promptly started in on it.  The introduction, for those that have not played it yet, comes off like you’re watching the start of a movie.  But then a movie you can play.  And it never looses that feel.  The voice acting in the game is some of the best I’ve ever heard.  The IP for the game is near perfect – the comic, from what I have heard (having never read it), is very well respected in that circle and just screams for this type of interpretation.  Finally, the production value of the game was spot on.  Everything I was supposed to feel as I went through the game, emotions ranging from desperation, to agony, to anger, all of them were invoked through the natural course of playing the game.

The best part about the game…it finally did end.  The game didn’t drag on and on and on with quest after quest that didn’t make sense to the story, all to keep it going.  There was a very definitive beginning, middle, and end to the story.  It played out like a good book will read – sucking you in and making you WANT to know what happens next.  That was a solid sign in my head that the game was done right.  That, and the feeling like I just hope there’s a sequel.

Anyhow, for those who haven’t given the game a chance, I’d highly recommend it unless you are staunch against the FPS genre, or a bit of horror/voodoo-esque theme.  It’s really one of the diamonds that many may overlook, and I for one am glad I didn’t.