Overall score on pook's 100-point system (TM): 89, or just 9 A terribly overlooked game, and a great example of what "Mature" titles should be like.
Graphics (24/30): Though the game began life on the N64, and most such games look like they were, this one was given a nice overhaul to prepare it for life on the GC. It holds up decently for an early GC title, making up in detail and historical research what it lacks in finesse. Spanning 12 eras across 2 millennia and multiple cultures from colonial Rhode Island to Cambodia, the game sports an impressive variety. While early on it appeared to be a Resident Evil clone, the game far outstrips Resident Evil's entire series with regards to environment variety. Great environments and progression through them-you'll revisit areas more than once, often centuries later, and find it familiar yet unfamiliar as time has worn away at the places, and construction has changed or added to them. A very nice touch, for instance, to see a church as it might have been during the Inquisition, then to see it again during WWI as an emergency-hospital. Creatures range from interesting to repetitive, as again the main enemies are variants of zombies that gave the game the Resident Evil clone title. Player characters are varied, well animated, but a little on the unrefined side compared to the recent efforts of companies like Capcom.
Sound:FX (9/10): A wonderful array of sound effects and moderately well-acted voice-overs are marred by one thing: while the sound is so great that you want the volume up to appreciate it, when you have the volume at that appreciable level, the sound of spellcasting is so LOUD that it blows you out of your seat. As a result, I had to turn this game DOWN when I really wanted to hear stuff, particularly because the music and sound are great at establishing mood. A shame.
Sound: Music (6/10): Generally well-crafted and nicely recorded music, it stays in the background most of the time. This should work in the game's favor, but the music is not as truly ambient as the RE series, and sometimes tries to take center stage. That's fine, but it doesn't do it often enough or with enough variety. Still, for what's there it's good.
Length (15/15): For starters this game is easily found new for the price of dirt, so you can't expect much. However, the game does deliver a lengthy challenge. 16 hours through the first time at typical pook-pace of investigating every nook and cranny. There are 3 paths through the game total, each of which provides a couple of different enemy types, and a complete change to a major boss, while also changing most of the pre-rendered cutscenes. This variety encourages replay. The second time through took 9 hours, and the third time 6. Although the third time, which also includes a longer ending which explains the story better, did feel like something of a drag. By that point I was running through as fast as possible to finish. But 2 times through and 25 hours is plenty.
Story (5/5): Taking a lead from H.P. Lovecraft Cthulu mythos, and delving into history to place a story involving 12 characters in diverse times and places is no easy task. Yet Eternal Darkness does it well and in a way that keeps you surprised. The story unfolds out of chronological order, but it still works in bringing what is essentially an investigation via historical inquiry to life. The game is Mature more for its content than its violence (which is present in satisfying amounts). Simply put, a child cannot appreciate why an medieval architect is called upon to survey underground ruins in Persia.
Gameplay (30/30): Wow. Starting with your basic survivial-horror, this game reinvents the wheel and proves a better one can be made. Excellent control with Zelda-ish Z-targeting (including body-part targeting), a decent spell system that is central to the game, and much talked-about insanity-effects round out all the above and create a memorable experience. A tip: stay FAR AWAY from spoilers about insanity effects. That I'm talking so little about them reflects that I feel they contribute much to the game's enjoyment, yet need to remain secret to be of any worth.
Final Thoughts: Anyone who pays more than lip-service to so-called maturity in games owes it to himself to support this title. End-of-story.
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