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Start with Darksiders: Warmastered Edition, then play Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition, Darksiders III, and Darksiders Genesis. Release order gives a first-time player the clearest introduction to the setting, War and the series’ core action-RPG identity before the story changes protagonists and Genesis shifts to a distinct format.
Choose a different starting point only when your priority is specific: begin with Darksiders II for a broader role-playing campaign, Darksiders III if Fury is the character you want most, or Genesis if the War-and-Strife pairing and a different, co-op-minded style matter more than following the mainline progression.
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The best order for a first playthrough
The simplest route is:
- Darksiders: Warmastered Edition
- Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition
- Darksiders III
- Darksiders Genesis
This is release order, with the current remastered or enhanced editions substituted for older versions where available. It introduces the franchise through War, establishes the post-apocalyptic conflict involving the Four Horsemen, and shows the baseline third-person combat and exploration design. You then move to Death’s larger action-RPG campaign, Fury’s later hack-and-slash direction, and finally Genesis’ separate War-and-Strife presentation.
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THQ Nordic’s historical corporate description calls Darksiders “a third-person open-world action role-playing game with a complex warfare system and a large arsenal of modern and mythical weapons.” That description is a useful starting point: the games share a mythic action foundation, but each entry changes the playable Horseman and the balance between combat, exploration and role-playing systems.
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How the four games differ
| Entry | Publisher-documented timing | Protagonist or focus | Combat and structure | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darksiders / Warmastered Edition | Original franchise launch in 2010; Warmastered is the later remaster, with a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S release announced May 19, 2026 | War; the foundation of the series | Third-person action RPG with the clearest introduction to the setting and core formula | Most newcomers |
| Darksiders II / Deathinitive Edition | Mainline sequel; enhanced PlayStation 5/Xbox Series version recorded October 15, 2024, with a retail release on January 28, 2025 | Death; a broader role-playing emphasis | Action RPG with a larger campaign focus and more pronounced loot and character-building appeal | Players who prioritize RPG breadth or Death |
| Darksiders III | Worldwide launch November 27, 2018, on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One; Nintendo Switch version September 30, 2021 | Fury | Later hack-and-slash action-adventure direction | Players who specifically want Fury or a different combat feel |
| Darksiders Genesis | PC launch campaign in 2019; worldwide console availability February 14, 2020 | War and Strife | Distinct Genesis format, built around the paired protagonists rather than a standard solo mainline entry | Later detour, alternate perspective or co-op-minded players |
Why Warmastered Edition is the safest starting point
It establishes the world before the protagonist changes
War’s story is the franchise foundation. Starting there lets you learn what the Four Horsemen represent, how the post-apocalyptic setting works and why the series combines modern weapons with mythic equipment. Later games assume familiarity with that shared backdrop even when they tell their own character-focused stories.
It represents the baseline combat and exploration identity
The first game is the clearest introduction to the third-person action-RPG structure described by the publisher. You encounter the central rhythm of fighting through hostile areas, expanding War’s arsenal and using new abilities to reach more of the world. That makes later changes easier to understand: Death’s campaign feels like an expansion of the role-playing side, while Fury’s entry deliberately takes the combat direction elsewhere.
Warmastered is preferable to tracking down the original
Warmastered Edition is the remastered version of the first game. THQ Nordic identifies the original as developed by Vigil Games and the remaster as developed by KAIKO. For a new player, there is little reason to make the unremastered release your target when the remaster is the clearly documented modern edition. A May 19, 2026 publisher announcement also placed Warmastered on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, improving its relevance for current-console buyers.
When Darksiders II is a better first choice
Pick it for a stronger action-RPG emphasis
Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition is the alternative starting point for players who care more about a broader role-playing campaign than about seeing the franchise’s original foundation first. That distinction is an editorial preference, not a measured ranking: Death’s game is the one to choose when loot, character development and a larger RPG-oriented structure are the features that attract you.
Rank #2
Pick it if Death is your reason for trying the series
Each mainline game changes Horseman, tone and combat priorities. If Death is the character who interests you most, starting with his campaign is reasonable. You will lose some of the impact that comes from seeing War introduce the setting, but you can still follow Death’s story as its own campaign and return to the first game afterward.
Know which edition to search for
The exact product name is Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition. THQ Nordic’s archive records an enhanced PlayStation 5/Xbox Series version on October 15, 2024 and a retail release on January 28, 2025. For a current console buyer, “Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition PS5” is the most precise search phrase; check your region, stock and price because store inventory changes.
When Darksiders III should come first
Choose Fury over release order
Darksiders III is the right first game when Fury is the main reason you are interested. It is a hack-and-slash action-adventure developed by Gunfire Games and released worldwide on November 27, 2018 for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. That combat direction makes it a different entry point rather than a neutral sample of the entire series.
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Starting with Fury is workable, but playing at least one earlier mainline game first gives you more context for the shared world and the Four Horsemen. If you begin with III, treat it as a character-led introduction and then go back to Warmastered for the original foundation. The Nintendo Switch version arrived on September 30, 2021, so Switch owners have a documented modern platform option.
Rank #3
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Why Genesis is usually a later game
It is a distinct format, not the default introduction
Darksiders Genesis centers on War and Strife and was promoted as a different perspective on the franchise. Its PC launch campaign took place in 2019, followed by worldwide console availability on February 14, 2020. The pairing and format make it a useful change of pace after you understand at least one mainline game.
Start with it only for a specific reason
Genesis makes sense first if the War-and-Strife partnership is your primary draw, if you want an alternate perspective on the setting, or if you are specifically looking for a co-op-minded experience. Otherwise, save it for after Warmastered or Darksiders II so its differences feel intentional rather than confusing.
Release order versus a character-first order
Release order: the recommended route
- Warmastered introduces War and the series’ baseline world, combat and exploration.
- Deathinitive Edition follows with Death and a broader action-RPG emphasis.
- Darksiders III shifts to Fury and a later hack-and-slash direction.
- Genesis closes the sequence as a distinct War-and-Strife detour.
Character-first alternatives
- War first: Warmastered, then II, III and Genesis. This is the all-purpose route.
- Death first: Deathinitive Edition, then Warmastered to learn the foundation, followed by III and Genesis.
- Fury first: III, then Warmastered and II, with Genesis last.
- War and Strife first: Genesis, followed by Warmastered and the remaining mainline games. Choose this only when the paired-protagonist format outweighs introductory context.
These are preference-based routes, not officially mandated timelines. Release order remains the cleanest first-playthrough recommendation because it follows the franchise’s documented sequence of protagonists and formats.
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How much lore context do you want?
Choose Warmastered for the most direct orientation. Choose II or III first only when Death or Fury is a stronger personal draw than learning the setting through War. Genesis is best treated as an additional perspective after you know the shared world.
What combat direction sounds right?
- Foundational third-person action RPG: Warmastered.
- Broader RPG campaign: Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition.
- Later hack-and-slash action-adventure: Darksiders III.
- Distinct War-and-Strife format: Darksiders Genesis.
There is no universal easiest, hardest, longest or most enjoyable game. Treat those as personal fit questions rather than objective rankings.
Do you want solo focus or a paired experience?
The mainline games are organized around one Horseman at a time: War, Death or Fury. Genesis is the exception in this comparison because its identity is built around War and Strife together and is the natural choice for readers seeking that paired, co-op-minded change of pace.
Which modern platform do you own?
Warmastered has a documented PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S release announced in 2026. Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition has an enhanced PlayStation 5/Xbox Series version documented in 2024 and a retail edition dated January 28, 2025. Darksiders III has a documented Nintendo Switch port from September 30, 2021, in addition to its PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One launch platforms. Verify the store listing for your country before buying because availability, stock and prices are volatile.
Buying and edition guidance
For a current-console purchase
If you want a physical product with a clearly documented recent release, start by checking Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition for PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series. If you want the best first game rather than the newest retail lead, look for Warmastered Edition on your platform. Do not assume that a listing for the original unremastered game is equivalent to Warmastered.
Best Value
- PlayStation 5 Video Game Deep Silver
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- Dimensions: 13.5 x 17.3 x 1.8 cm
- Reference: S7188301
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Check these details before checkout
- Confirm the exact platform generation: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC, PS4 or Xbox One.
- Confirm that the listing says “Warmastered Edition” or “Deathinitive Edition” when that is the version you intend to buy.
- Check region compatibility, physical stock and the current price at publication time.
- For Genesis, verify whether the edition is for the platform and play style you want before treating it as your first Darksiders game.
How significant is the franchise?
THQ Nordic’s 2016 prospectus reported more than 5 million copies sold and approximately USD 150 million in net sales for the period covered by that document. Those are historical figures, not a current lifetime total, so they should not be used as a present-day player-count or sales claim.
No additional current owner-attributed sales, player-count, review or completion-time figure is established here. That is why this guide compares documented release positions, protagonists, formats and platform availability instead of assigning unsupported scores or declaring one entry objectively superior.
Final recommendation by player type
| If you want… | Start with… | Then consider… |
|---|---|---|
| The clearest introduction to Darksiders | Warmastered Edition | Deathinitive Edition, III, Genesis |
| A bigger role-playing emphasis | Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition | Warmastered, then III and Genesis |
| Fury specifically | Darksiders III | Warmastered for wider context |
| War and Strife together | Darksiders Genesis | Warmastered and the other mainline entries afterward |
| A current physical console edition | Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition | Check regional stock and platform labeling |
For everyone else, buy or play Darksiders: Warmastered Edition first. It is the most reliable starting point because it introduces the setting, War and the franchise’s core action-RPG identity before the series branches into Death’s broader RPG campaign, Fury’s combat direction and Genesis’ distinct format.
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