After what felt like an eternity shrouded in the echoing silence of the post-apocalyptic realms, THQ Nordic finally pulled back the curtain on Darksiders 4 in 2025. This announcement, delivered during a much-anticipated showcase, sent ripples of excitement through the gaming community, promising the grand return of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. While the details remain somewhat sparse – a common tactic to fuel anticipation, or perhaps a sign of ongoing development – enough has been revealed to piece together a compelling picture of what awaits players in this next chapter.
For years, the future of the Darksiders saga hung in the balance, with the last major release, the prequel Darksiders Genesis (2019), leaving fans craving more. Now, with the fourth main installment confirmed, the collective curiosity of a dedicated fanbase can finally begin to feast upon the crumbs of information provided. So, let`s gather what`s known about Darksiders 4 and prepare for another ride into the heart of chaos.
The Elusive Release Date: A Riddle Wrapped in a War-Torn Enigma
Perhaps the most pressing question on every Nephilim`s lips is: “When can I play it?” To which THQ Nordic, with a flair for dramatic suspense, has offered the ever-helpful response: “To be announced.” Yes, the game has been confirmed, a teaser has been released, but the precise moment of its descent upon our gaming platforms remains as mysterious as the origins of the Horsemen themselves. One can only assume the developers are forging a game of such epic proportions that time itself must bend to its creation, or perhaps they`re simply enjoying our collective anguish.
Given the typical development cycles for ambitious action-RPGs, and the notable absence of a firm date post-2025 announcement, it’s prudent to anticipate a considerable wait. Patience, as War himself might attest, is a virtue, especially when facing an apocalypse.
Platforms: The Frontlines of the Coming Conflict
When the Horsemen finally do arrive, they`ll be bringing their particular brand of judgment to the current generation of hardware. Darksiders 4 is slated for release on PC (via Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. This commitment to the latest platforms suggests a focus on leveraging modern capabilities for richer graphics, smoother performance, and more expansive worlds. As for other potential platforms, such as the rumored Nintendo Switch 2, there has been no official word, leaving us to assume the Horsemen are, for now, strictly next-gen connoisseurs.
Story and Setting: Picking Up the Pieces of a Shattered Earth
The original Darksiders left us on a cliffhanger so precipitous, one might have needed a demon-winged steed just to peer over the edge. Thankfully, Darksiders 4 promises to pick up exactly where that cataclysmic narrative concluded. Players will once again find themselves navigating a post-apocalyptic Earth, a familiar, yet ever-evolving canvas of devastation. However, the developers have hinted at a broader scope, confirming that the setting will span multiple distinct realms within this fractured world.
Each of these realms is promised to offer unique challenges, with bespoke bosses, distinctive items, and visually disparate landscapes. This approach suggests a more varied journey for the Horsemen, preventing the apocalyptic scenery from becoming monotonous. The core narrative will, of course, revolve around the Four Horsemen – War, Death, Fury, and Strife – as they finally unite to confront the forces that have plunged creation into chaos. The implications of their combined presence from the outset are enormous, promising a story of grander scale and potentially intertwined destinies.
Gameplay: A Quadrinity of Combat and Cooperation
At its heart, Darksiders 4 remains true to its heritage: a third-person action-RPG that blends visceral combat with compelling narrative and extensive exploration. The series has always excelled at delivering satisfying hack-and-slash mechanics intertwined with clever environmental puzzles, and the new installment aims to amplify these elements.
Crucially, Darksiders 4 marks a significant evolution in its approach to the Horsemen themselves. Players will have the unprecedented ability to choose which Horseman to embody for a playthrough, each offering a distinct fighting style, unique weaponry, and specialized abilities. Think War`s brutal, heavy-hitting strikes, Death`s swift and agile scythe mastery, Fury`s whip-lashing fury, and Strife`s dual-pistol ranged assault. This choice not only impacts individual combat preferences but also significantly enhances replayability, inviting players to experience the apocalyptic journey through four very different lenses.
However, the most groundbreaking revelation is the confirmation of up to four-player cooperative play. This means no longer will a single Horseman bear the full burden of saving existence. Instead, friends can unite, each embodying one of the legendary riders, turning the apocalypse into a shared, glorious symphony of destruction. This cooperative feature promises to revolutionize the series, offering dynamic team-based combat, coordinated puzzle-solving, and potentially synergistic ability usage, transforming familiar mechanics into fresh, exciting experiences. Traversal and puzzle-solving, explicitly highlighted by THQ Nordic, are also expected to play a larger role, likely incorporating each Horseman`s unique talents for navigation and environmental interaction.
The Teaser: A Glimpse, Not a Grand Reveal
The initial teaser trailer for Darksiders 4, while exhilarating, served more as a promise than a full reveal. It offered a brief, tantalizing whisper of what’s to come, confirming the grand reunion without truly showing the party in full swing. We saw just enough to confirm the Horsemen`s imminent return and to ignite the fires of speculation regarding their updated designs and the scope of the world they’ll be traversing. A proper gameplay trailer, showcasing the cooperative action and the visual splendor of the new realms, is undoubtedly what fans are truly yearning for.
Pre-orders and Pricing: Anticipating the Cost of Salvation
As for opening your wallet, the gates of commerce remain firmly shut. Without a concrete release date, pre-orders for Darksiders 4 are not yet available on any platform. Similarly, pricing information is still under wraps. Historically, the Darksiders series has often positioned its titles slightly below the industry`s premium AAA price point; Darksiders III launched at $40, and Darksiders Genesis at $30. While this trend might suggest a price in the $50-60 range for Darksiders 4, the industry`s shift towards a standard $70 for new AAA titles means it could very well follow suit. For now, the most proactive step one can take is to add the game to their Steam wishlist – a digital plea to be notified when the time for fiscal commitment finally arrives.
The Gathering Storm
Darksiders 4 stands as a beacon of renewed hope for fans of dark fantasy action-RPGs. The promise of all Four Horsemen uniting, playable, and in a cooperative setting, is a monumental shift that could redefine the series. While concrete details are still as rare as a peaceful day in the Darksiders universe, the promise is potent. The stage is set, the Horsemen are preparing, and the apocalypse, it seems, is ready for its grand, four-pronged encore. Now, we simply wait for the final trumpet to sound.
Callum Darby