The Darkness II review roundup

For those that didn’t play 2007’s The Darkness, it was a first-person shooter developed by Starbreeze Studios and released for PS3 and Xbox 360. It was generally well received, earning a Metacritic score of 82/100, with critics praising its single layer campaign, the story and the graphics across both platforms.

In The Darkness II, the first game’s protagonist, Jackie Estacado, returns two years after the events contained in the first game. The game includes a wide variety of modern-day weapons, and of course the player once again must also harness the powers of the Darkness.

These include summoning a “Darkling” that attack your enemies, using dark tentacles to impale foes or break down walls, using “creeping dark” tendrils that sneak along floors, walls and ceilings, as well as other manifestations of the super power.

So far critics have had mostly positive things to say about The Darkness II. Despite the fact that the series switched developers from Starbreeze to Digital Extremes, it would appear than the sequel lines up quite closely with the expectations set by the first game.

The Darkness II screenshot

Here is what critics have had to say about The Darkness II so far:

Official Xbox Magazine UK 9/10

It’s one of the best shooter-stories we’ve seen in years – justifying its own ludicrous nature in interesting and unexpected ways. If the ending didn’t feel like such a cop-out, The Darkness II could have been on par with BioShock. As it is, the gripping narrative and wonderfully empowering combat mean you’ll be talking about it for months after completing it. Read more

Machinima 8/10

In so many ways, The Darkness II is an improvement over the original. The controls work better, the action is more straightforward, and you don’t have to play Pikmin with a bunch of surly little demons. It’s just more engaging and fun all around. But while its changes are noticeable, they’re also subtle; this isn’t a completely different game, it’s more like a refinement of what worked before. Read more

The Darkness II screenshot

Giant Bomb 4/5

Nothing in The Darkness II’s story line feels out of place or unnecessary. It doesn’t digress needlessly into side missions or other time-wasters designed to just keep you playing for longer stretches. Instead, Digital Extremes believed in the strength of both its combat system and Jenkins’ script to inspire players to play through it again once the credits roll. Read more

IGN 8/10

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. Read more

Destructoid 7.5/10

The Darkness II succeeds far more than it fails. The single-player experience features some genuine emotion in its narrative, something games which don’t feature skull-extricating tentacles rarely manage to accomplish. And while the Vendettas cooperative multiplayer content feels lackluster by comparison, it’s not bad either and serves to pad out this short but otherwise delightful game. Read more

The Darkness II screenshot

Strategy Informer 7.5/10

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? Read more

1UP B

I’m impressed by the effort on the part of Digital Extremes to deliver a satisfying sequel that builds on the ideas of the first game. Jackie’s empowering abilities encourage players to experiment and try different tactics, and ultimately allow every player to discover combat techniques that they think work best. His world is realized through a remarkable graphic style and nuanced and meaningful character interactions. Read more

Edge Magazine 7/10

It’s derivative, gratuitous and needlessly profane, but beneath the gruesome veneer lies a tale of – believe it or not – genuine tenderness. Read more

Gamespot 7/10

Levels are linear and predictable, focused on ushering you from one straightforward encounter to another so that you can go crazy with those deranged arms of yours. If you are a fan of the original game, bear this in mind: The Darkness II is a fun, very short FPS without the authentic atmosphere and subtle touches that made its predecessor so intriguing. Still, if you’ve got a lust for virtual blood, The Darkness II leaks enough of it to satiate you. Read more

The Darkness II screenshot