In 2007, 2K Games released The Darkness, a FPS based on a hit comic book series that featured Jackie Estacado, an Italian mobster with demonic powers. The long-awaited sequel is action-packed, more gruesome, and features new abilities for our favorite demon-possessed gangster.
One of the most noticeable aspects of The Darkness II is the cinematic presentation that was lacking in the first Darkness game. An opening scene that begins in an upscale restaurant quickly turned into a scene out of Blackhawk Down, with Jackie being dragged on his back, and the player controlling Jackie as he shoots his way to safety.
Speaking of controls, developer Digital Extremes emphasized in our preview the ability for the player to have control of Jackie during every single scene in the game – including during cutscenes. There are of course, scenes where Jackie might be restrained and tied down, so the player in these instances would only be able to look around.
Gameplay
In the original Darkness title, players could dual-wield guns, control demonic arms, and command a few demon imps to attack enemies. Killing thugs with the demon arm was a matter of pointing the reticule and hitting a button. It was flashy, but didn’t seem all that worthwhile, when a bullet to the head could get the job done.
Digital Extremes decided to up the ante this time by giving more control of the demon arms to the players. Now, the right thumbstick can control the arm to slash in any direction. Yes, bodies can be sliced in half. The arms also can grab items and throw them as projectiles, or even to use some objects as shields (imagine tearing off a car door and using it as cover as you shoot through the window). This “quad-wielding” aspect provides a strong mix of gameplay with hugely satisfying kills.
Insta-kill executions are even more fun to pull off because of the various vicious ways the demon arms can do their work.
The demonic imps we’re told, are again going to be useful tools for Jackie, but will be better incorporated into the story. Jackie’s demons provided nice comic relief in the original, and there doesn’t seem to be any changes from that this time around.
Graphics
Besides being one of the best-looking games on the Xbox 360, the first Darkness game was excellent at making low-lit scenes highly visible. Whether it is a dark alley, or a dark room, the visual effects made everything perfectly visible, while maintaining the feeling that it was definitely dark.
The sequel hasn’t changed that visual aspect, and with a brand new graphics engine, everything just looks gorgeous. Textures, lighting, and animations look outstanding. Even with stellar graphics, it isn’t a Darkness game without gore. Bodies being peeled away in half, decapitations, and more, are dramatically presented.
Music
Almost always an underappreciated aspect to any game is the music. There are games with just absolutely terrible music, which not only fails to add anything to the gaming experience, but often takes away from it. And then there are games like The Darkness II, with truly dramatic music that takes the experience to a cinematic level. Keep your ears open when you play.
The Darkness II is going to be one of the best single-player experiences this year (no word on any multiplayer) with its high level of immersion, action, and sharp presentation. Look for it when it hits the shelves October 2011.
