Darksiders has players take on the role of War, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who has been tricked into bringing about a war between heaven and hell, resulting in heaven's defeat and the Earth's enslavement. Now stripped of his powers by the Charred Council, he must go to Earth and punish those responsible for deceiving him and causing the enslavement of Earth. As well as having to fight hell's minions, War has to contend with a group of vengeful angels that are bent on bringing him to justice. That way, not every important demon met in the game has to be defeated. War can make alliances with some of them when there are mutual interests.
The gameplay is a mix of third-person hack-and-slash action and platforming, with a large variety in weapons and combos that can be leveled up and enhanced with new abilities. Players can dodge, block, finish off enemies with special moves, double jump, glide using wings, climb ledges, throw objects, and use a mix of melee and ranged attacks. Defeating enemies provides blue souls, which can be traded for new attacks and items at certain locations.
The game also features different gameplay mechanics, such as flying in the air, fighting on horseback, and shooting angels with a Redeemer ranged weapon. Levels are fairly linear, but all locations can be revisited later in the game through Serpent Holes. As War gains new abilities, previously explored areas' crystal walls can be shattered to find new items.
The gameplay encourages players to focus on their surroundings to retrieve hidden objects and chests, as well as many collectibles. Some of these can extend health or Wrath meters, while others can lead to forging strong armor.