Darksiders: Warmastered Edition remains an appealing single-player action-adventure if you want weighty combat, dungeon puzzles and exploration wrapped in a fantasy-apocalypse story. The review picture depends on the version: Switch critics generally liked the game but noted visual compromises, while PS5 and Xbox Series X|S received a newer release in May 2026 with features advertised by publisher THQ Nordic. Those current-generation claims have not been independently benchmarked in the sources cited here.
What is Darksiders: Warmastered Edition?
Darksiders: Warmastered Edition is a remaster of the original single-player Darksiders. You play as War, the first Horseman of the Apocalypse, who returns to a ruined Earth after being accused of bringing about the apocalypse too soon. The game combines hack-and-slash combat with exploration, puzzles, weapon and ability progression, and demon-filled dungeons. Steam’s PC listing describes its story and gameplay.
THQ Nordic presents the remaster as an upgrade to the original, not a separate sequel. Its 2016 announcement cited HD resolution, 4K on PC and PS4, and 60 FPS, alongside visual improvements. Those are publisher descriptions, not independent measurements. The 2016 console release announcement gives the original launch context.
What do reviews say about Warmastered Edition?
Switch critic reviews
Metacritic’s Nintendo Switch-filtered page showed a 77 Metascore, labeled “Generally Favorable,” from 24 critic reviews when accessed on October 8, 2026: 15 positive, nine mixed and none negative. This is an aggregate of reviews for the Switch port, not a score for the 2026 PS5 or Xbox Series release. The Switch reviews date from April 2019.
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The excerpts reflect a familiar trade-off: reviewers praised the underlying combat, puzzles and staying power, while some pointed to limited port-specific additions or visual concessions. Portability was a meaningful plus for other reviewers. Metacritic’s Switch critic page is the source for that platform-specific snapshot.
Steam user reviews
On October 8, 2026, Steam labeled the English user-review sentiment “Very Positive,” with 86% positive from 4,432 English-language reviews. Recent reviews were also “Very Positive,” at 87% positive from 130 reviews. These are changeable user-review figures, not critic scores or sales data. See the Steam listing for its current review display.
Rank #2
- Apocalyptic Power - Unleash the wrath of War, combining brutal attacks and supernatural abilities to decimate all who stand in your way Extreme Arsenal - Wield a devastating arsenal of angelic, demonic and Earthly Weapons, and blaze a trail of destruction atop Ruin, War's fiery phantom steed Epic Quest - Battle across the wastelands and demon-infested dungeons of the decimated Earth in your quest for vengeance and redemption Character Progression - Uncover powerful ancient relics, upgrade your weapons, unlock new abilities, and customize your gameplay style Battle Heaven and Hell - Battle against all who stand in your way - from war-weary angelic forces to Hell's hideous demon hordes Native 1080p rendering resolution Doubled texture resolutions Reworked and improved rendering Better shadow rendering quality Post processing effects 60 FPS in moment to moment gameplay
What does the remaster change?
Steam lists support for up to 4K output, doubled texture resolutions, re-rendered cutscenes, reworked rendering, improved shadow rendering, post-processing and frame-rate optimization. It also lists graphics options and native Steam Controller support. These describe the PC edition’s listed features; they do not establish identical performance or settings across every platform.
For the original console launch, THQ Nordic described the game as a remaster with “hellish HD resolution (4K for PC and PS4) and 60 FPS!” Treat that as the publisher’s claim from its November 22, 2016 announcement, rather than a third-party test.
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Rank #3
- No. Of players: 1 player
- file size: 13.2 GB
- Subtitle languages: EN, DE, FR, ES, IT, RU, KO
What changed on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2026?
THQ Nordic announced that Warmastered Edition became available on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on May 19, 2026. The publisher says these versions feature native 4K rendering, stable 60 FPS gameplay and Photo Mode. No independent performance testing is established by the sources cited here, so the listed features should be read as THQ Nordic’s claims.
The same announcement listed PS4-to-PS5 upgrades at €9.99/$9.99 and said Xbox One owners receive the Xbox Series upgrade free. It also listed launch prices of €29.99/$29.99 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with the Xbox One price set to rise to that amount. These are publisher-announced prices and upgrade terms; check the relevant regional storefront for current availability and conditions. Details are in THQ Nordic’s May 19, 2026 announcement.
Rank #4
- Unleash the wrath of War, combining brutal attacks and supernatural abilities to decimate all who stand in your way Extreme Arsenal
- Wield a devastating arsenal of angelic, demonic and Earthly Weapons, and blaze a trail of destruction atop Ruin, War's fiery phantom steed Epic Quest
- Battle across the wastelands and demon-infested dungeons of the decimated Earth in your quest for vengeance and redemption Character Progression
- Uncover powerful ancient relics, upgrade your weapons, unlock new abilities, and customize your gameplay style Battle Heaven and Hell
- Battle against all who stand in your way - from war-weary angelic forces to Hell's hideous demon hordes.Native 1080p rendering resolution, doubled texture resolutions, reworked and improved rendering, better shadow rendering quality, post processing effects and 60 FPS in moment to moment gameplay
Which version should you choose?
| Version or preference | What the sources establish | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | Nintendo UK lists handheld, tabletop and TV modes, one-player support, and both a Game Card and download edition. Its listing carries a regional age rating of 15. | Players who value portability or want a physical Switch copy. |
| PS5 or Xbox Series X|S | THQ Nordic advertises native 4K, stable 60 FPS and Photo Mode for the May 2026 release; its upgrade terms differ by console family. | Players choosing the current-generation console editions for the features the publisher lists. |
| PC | Steam lists up to 4K output and the remaster’s graphics features, as well as the PC release date of November 29, 2016. | Players who prefer PC and its listed graphics options. |
The sources do not provide controlled cross-platform benchmarks, so they cannot establish that one version looks or runs best in practice. Choose by portability, preferred platform, physical-versus-download format and the features or upgrade terms relevant to your setup. Nintendo’s regional listing is Darksiders Warmastered Edition for Nintendo Switch.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When did the different versions release?
- November 22, 2016: THQ Nordic announced the PS4 and Xbox One release and said the PC version would follow on November 29.
- November 29, 2016: Steam lists the PC release, with KAIKO and Vigil Games as developers and THQ Nordic as publisher.
- April 2, 2019: THQ Nordic announced the Switch edition, available digitally and at retail.
- May 19, 2026: THQ Nordic announced PS5 and Xbox Series X|S availability.
The dates and platform announcements come from THQ Nordic’s 2016 console announcement, its 2019 Switch announcement, the Steam listing and its 2026 current-generation announcement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Native 1080p rendering, fully reworked and improved graphics, and 60 FPS gameplay
- Apocalyptic Power - Unleash the wrath of War, combining brutal attacks and supernatural abilities to decimate all who stand in your way
- Extreme Arsenal - Wield a devastating arsenal of angelic, demonic and Earthly Weapons, and blaze a trail of destruction atop Ruin, War's fiery phantom steed
- Character Progression - Uncover powerful ancient relics, upgrade your weapons, unlock new abilities, and customize your gameplay style
- Epic Quest - Battle across the wastelands and demon-infested dungeons of the decimated Earth in your quest for vengeance and redemption
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
