Darksiders Genesis is a top-down hack-and-slash action role-playing video game designed and released by THQ Nordic. The game was launched on Microsoft Windows and Google Stadia on December 5, 2019, and for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on February 14, 2020. It is considered a spin-off prequel to the Darksiders series and introduces the protagonist, Strife, the fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse. Strife can also join forces with his sibling, War. The game garnered favorable reviews upon its debut, with many critics appreciating the fighting.
After the Four Horsemen have assaulted and annihilated the Nephilim in Eden, the Charred Council summons them. The Council fears that the demon lord Lucifer is conspiring with Samael to destabilize the Balance and has ordered War and Strife to investigate. After storming Samael’s stronghold, they discover it under siege by Moloch, a lesser Master of Hell. Samael assures them that he is not working with Lucifer, and that the present onslaught against him is a result of this. Before he can continue, Moloch assaults, prompting Samael to transfer the Horsemen to the Void in order to locate and speak with his accomplice.
The game is played from a top-down viewpoint, and players can switch between Strife and War at any moment. Strife utilizes Mercy and Redemption, while War employs Chaos Eater, his blade. Alternately, two players can play the game together, with each player controlling a different character. After killing a certain number of foes, the player gains access to burst skills that allow them to kill foes more quickly. The in-game currency is souls, which are obtained by defeating monsters that spawn in front of the player. Certain gameplay components, such as explosives, are also present, along with platforming aspects reminiscent of earlier titles.