5 reviews
The Darkness II
The Darkness II is an intense first person shooter that delivers a twisted and gripping narrative of tragedy, modern crime drama, and supernatural horror. Players will be taken down the brutal and personal path of Jackie Estacado, head of a New York crime family and wielder of an ancient and ruthless force of chaos and destruction known as The Dark...
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The Darkness II Reviews
Professional reviews from gaming critics
Despite some problems with polish and a story that takes time to develop into something great, The Darkness II ends up as an early treat in the new year. The narrative elements help the pacing considerably, breaking up Jackie’s engaging and brutal murderfests. It may not end up being the best shooter of 2012, but it could very well be the one that makes you feel the most powerful.
Set two years after the conclusion of the original, The Darkness II breaks the conventional FPS model with its fervid Quad-Wielding gameplay, allowing players to slash, grab, and throw objects and enemies with their Demon Arms while simultaneously firing two weapons.
We’ve all been in a situation where two hands are not enough: we pop pencils behind our ears and grip paper in our mouth, cursing through muffled breath about our awkward plight. Jackie Estacado, the protagonist of 2K’s The Darkness franchise, doesn’t have that problem. Armed with two standard anatomical limbs and a couple of demons sprouting from his shoulders, the mobster boss is suitably equipped to handle a long day at the office – plus the extra appendages come in handy when taking down rival gangs and dealing with curious cults intent on stealing away his gothic powers.
The Darkness II's commendable mechanics are matched by numerous wonky moments, an awkward cast of characters and some wearying repetition. It's got plenty of heart, but it needs more soul.
As ever, the lure of The Darkness is very much in tact. It’s pleasing to see a title that opts to set itself apart from its older brother, and it’ll definitely be remembered for doing so. This is a different experience to the original, but one fans will love from start to finish. Despite its short-length, bland level design and forgettable bosses, The Darkness II is a thoroughly entertaining blast from start to finish. Who knew dismembering hordes of enemies would be such a guilty pleasure?