Not many games can disgrace 20 year old franchises like this one.
GAMEPLAY
Hailing from a 2 year old PC port, DM was revered as a decent FPS adventure utilizing the same gaming mechanics that helped propel other stellar titles. At the start screen, you can instantly tell no such thing has followed this shoddy production. Kicking off the single player story, you choose from 4 character classes: the Archer, Mage, Warrior, and Assassin. Due to the obvious weapon layout, the method in dispatching baddies is all despressingly the same. There are some cool moments where you can sneak up (as the Assassin) on goons and perform context sensitive actions or simply mash them until they are weak enough for finishing moves. Once you cross this small threshold of entertainment, the rest becomes a simple grind of 9 chapters taking you to all sorts of locales that end up all looking the same.
Some areas you can explore off the beaten path which is highly encouraged since secrets and items are always around. Some are more apparent and mandatory than others, but they add a nice distraction from the linear story that does very little to stimulate. When it does come to intensity, DM can barely hold its own as the controls feel like a tank simulator. No matter what character or path you choose, every step of the way is a struggle, and jumping is no better. Comabt is never a chore thanks to the power of button mashing, yet if the urge prevails you can set up some awesome environmental deaths which always invoke a devilish smile.
VISUALS
Any game that is released from a 2 year old version and looks worse than a 4 year old title should be brought out back and "taken care of". No excuses for DM when it comes to graphics, which are at times so horrid you can't even distinguish objects in the environment that help progress the story. You could justify a few things being that the source material was already subpar at best, but its the small things that add up to one huge cluster yuck of shame. Repetitive character models and rigid animations for males and females alike -- extremely poor texture management on objects and explorable areas -- ludicrous cut sceens and cinemas that make PS1 games look outstanding -- and my least favorite thing to pick on that sums up DM in a nutshell, the atrocious 8 second ending!
AUDIO
If everything up till this point was not enough to completely turn you off to this shameful game, here's the golden ticket: there is NO music! Plenty of NPC chatter, decent audio effects, hammy monologue galore, but no musical track to speak of. There is the ocassional ambience of gothic hums and bellows that can be some what heard when turned up to full volume, other than that, you're better off taking in all the balderdash DM has to offer with firm conviction.
EXTRAS
What was the PC version missing? Besides substance, I'd have to say a worth while online component. One of my biggest anticipation's for DM was the ability to use single player skills from a fantasy adventure game in a online arena. Sadly, I was deflated all over again! The chances of enjoying DM are slim, but at least you can rest assured that it will be a lonely process. Online match making is nonexistent in player or ranked matches simply because nobody owns of plays the game. There are a few modes that encourage team efforts, but the basic gist is about raking in the most points and winning. Speaking of which, how about those achievements!
For starters, you can easily play straight till the end and scoop up a measly 300 with no hold up's. Endure a few extra minutes in each level and search out for every secret location that holds weapons, armor, items and accumulate rewards for curiousity. After sampling each character, the Assassin seems like the best bet for netting the most hard to get points. As for the rest, prepare for absolute disgust when you realize the broken online is the ONLY way to acquire some odd 500 points. Unless you have 8 other friends interested in playing ranked games or even touching DM, good luck!
OVERALL
Personally, I'm not very proud of favored franchises taking a dip in the pitiful pool. In no way did I help create Dark Messiah, but I have followed the Might and Magic series with dollars in hand since its early beginnings and truly adore what they've done for the interactive fantasy realm. Like any true fan, you have to take the good with the bad, and DM is a LOT of bad!
Ubisoft may be working on something more important than a mediocre 360 title, yet that doesn't excuse this piss poor over-priced disrespect to M&M fans. After two desperate attempts in trying to find something worth praising this once cherished franchise, its almost official that Might and Magic under Ubisoft contol is dead! If you wish to enjoy true cl@ssics in fantasy fan-fare, check out the older versions on the PC developed by studio dinosaur, 3DO.