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Dark Earth is a beautifully rendered sci-fi/fantasy roleplaying game that combines realistic 3-D graphic animation with a complex and compelling storyline.
Players take control of Arkhan, a Guardian of Fire in a post-apocalyptic world shrouded in darkness, who must try to save his city state, or Stallite, from the forces of chaos. Compounding Arkhan’s problems is that he has been poisoned by some shadowy essence that is slowly corrupting his body and mind. So, players are on the clock, and must solve the mysteries of Dark Earth before their character is completely consumed.
In play, Arkhan is viewed as a three-dimensional character, who appears from different angles and perspectives depending on where he is (i.e., reminiscent of games like Tomb Raider, rather than character’s-eye view games like Doom, while the haunting milieu is rather evocative of Myst). This makes the action of the game like a movie, and adds to its quality as an unfolding story, as opposed to a combat game. Segments of the adventure are periodically linked by video segments, which contribute to the cinematic quality of the game. One of these, the sequence of the exotic dancer in the Lower City, is unique in my computer game-playing experience and constitutes one of the high points of Dark Earth.
Combat does play a role in Dark Earth, but it is definitely secondary to the story (weapons include swords, battle axes, and rudimentary firearms). When you are in a mood to just wander through a maze obliterating anything in your path, this is not the game you will want to play. And, even though Arkhan is slowly being transformed in a creature of darkness, beware to the player who takes this as license to kill off every annoying person he meets; this will result in your watching Arkhan beg for mercy as he is executed like a rabid dog.
Dark Earth has a few weaknesses as well, and these can be aggravating enough to offset the enjoyment it offers. Foremost among these is that it is only possible to save the game when Arkhan is near a wall emblazoned with the Rahall, or sun-sign. And no, there is never one of the damned things in sight when the phone rings or your wife calls you for dinner. This can be a real problem. Another potential drawback is that the game does not support a mouse, only keyboard commands, something that can initially make moving about and fighting awkward for those not used to this system.
Despite its weak points, however, Dark Earth is good enough to try, especially if you like a post-apocalyptic setting and an in-depth storyline. Dark Earth rates 4 on a 6-point scale.
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