Might and Magic Comes to Xbox 360

Published March 3, 2008

The Might and Magic series has enjoyed a long and celebrated run through the years with the most recent entry, Dark Messiah: Might and Magic Elements marking the series' first and welcome entry on Xbox 360®.

I'm just guessing, but aim for the eye!

With visceral first-person action, four distinct classes, dozens of special abilities, weapon and item creation, more customization options than you can shake a longsword at, and even an undead cyclops sighting in the game's first hour, Might and Magic Elements makes a strong and lasting impression on the role-playing game front.

Will you uncover the mystery behind the
Dark Messiah, unravel Phenrig's curious motives, and
come to terms with your own destiny?

First Person Immersion

There's no more important element in a first-person role-playing game than feeling that you're really the character you're playing, and Dark Messiah accomplishes precisely that. When you're locked in fierce combat with a foe, you will feel every strike that pierces your defenses and exult in every hit you score. Whether it's the camera snapping back from a blow you failed to parry, the tactile buzz in your controller as you let loose an arrow, or even something as simple as showing your hands reach out to grasp a ledge, Dark Messiah sets a new standard for character immersion in the genre.

Choose Your Role

You play as Sareth, the young and promising apprentice of the mysterious but talented wizard Phenrig. Phenrig has reared and trained you since you were an orphaned child, but while his role as tutor and mentor is clear, to what purpose he trains you is shaded in unnerving mystery.

Hope that's not acid blood. Ick.

What is certain though is the class in which he has molded you. It is your choice entirely to play as a Warrior, Archer, Mage, or Assassin, every one of which brings their own unique skills and abilities to bear on the game and its myriad challenges.

The hardy Warrior braves battle up close with sword and shield, the Archer strikes at a distance with precision and tact, while the Assassin operates in shadow with a sharp blade at the ready, and the Mage finds solace and power in the arcane arts, wielding the elements against his foes.

Dark Messiah makes good use of the classic experience point level system as well. Every enemy you defeat and mission you accomplish brings you closer to a new level, and with it access to more powerful and varied abilities. Likewise, there is additional opportunity to empower your character by crafting your own weapons via a well-conceived mini-game, as well as tracking down rare and powerful equipment found in secret areas peppered throughout the game.

Tactile Combat

Every bit of your training in any of the available classes is geared towards combat in one way or another, and it's in the midst of action that Dark Messiah truly shines. The first-person immersion adds immeasurably to the white-knuckle intensity when facing off against enemies, but it's the entirely active manner in which you participate in combat that makes Dark Messiah truly shine.

Watch out you don't catch an arrow in the face, buddy boy.

There is nothing passive about Dark Messiah combat as lightning fast combos, parries, blocks, lunging power attacks, and the like are all actively controlled. Every blow you land and enemy you smite helps you fill your adrenaline bar, which can be activated to devastating effect. Even the environment enters the fray as you take full advantage of a knock-back kick attack to send enemies sprawling haplessly into spiked walls, fire pits and other, equally entertaining elements.

RPG Battles Online

With a combat system that's both highly interactive and brimming with tactical abilities, Dark Messiah has boldly taken the action onto Xbox LIVE®, allowing you to challenge your fellow gamers to spirited bouts of RPG combat where skill, not loot and high-grade equipment decide the victor. Pick your class and grab hold of your sword, dagger, bow, or staff to battle for Dark Messiah supremacy.

Dark Messiah: Might and Magic Elements is filled with taut, story-driven action from beginning to end, never giving you a chance to relax and take a breath before hurtling you headfirst into the next challenge or enemy encounter. Will you uncover the mystery behind the Dark Messiah, unravel Phenrig's curious motives, and come to terms with your own destiny?

Article by Ryan Treit