The Darksiders Franchise Returns to Modern Consoles

THQ Nordic has officially announced a new remaster of the original Darksiders, a title that gained widespread acclaim during the PS3 and Xbox 360 era. This latest version is scheduled to launch on May 19th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, aiming to provide what the publisher calls the “definitive experience for modern platforms.”

Technical Enhancements and Features

According to THQ Nordic, the remaster will feature enhanced visuals, improved performance, and all previously released content. PlayStation Store listings confirm that the PS5 version will include native 4K rendering, a stable 60 frames per second, and a brand-new photo mode. The game will also support PS5 Activities, though this feature has seen less emphasis in recent years.

While the official Xbox store listing is not yet live, the visual and performance upgrades are expected to carry over to the Xbox Series X|S, despite potential technical adjustments for the Series S hardware. Previous remasters in the series, such as Darksiders II, included features like ray tracing, improved lighting, haptic feedback for the DualSense controller, and faster loading times.

Pricing and Upgrade Details

The physical edition of the game is priced at $29.99. While THQ Nordic has not explicitly confirmed if the remaster will be a free upgrade for those who already own previous versions, precedents set by the Darksiders II remaster suggest this may be a possibility. It remains unclear if the digital edition will match the $19.99 price point of the existing remaster.

A History of Ports and Future Expectations

The Darksiders franchise has seen a consistent stream of ports over the last decade rather than new entries. The original game was released in 2010, drawing inspiration from The Legend of Zelda dungeon design and God of War combat. Since its debut, it has been ported to numerous platforms, including the PS4, Xbox One, PC, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch.

Despite the excitement surrounding this remaster, many fans have taken to social media and trailer comment sections to express a desire for a new installment in the series. The community remains focused on the long-standing promise of a game featuring all four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. THQ Nordic has confirmed that the next Darksiders entry will allow players to control each of the four Horsemen, each featuring unique combat styles and weaponry.