The Darkness II: Hands On

Jackie Esatacado returns this February in his sophomore release, The Darkness II to unleash a whole new can of supernatural whoop ass on the deserving. That being said, keep reading to find out what's changed for our favorite mobster antihero.



It's been quite some time since the Darkness first stepped into the light in late 2005 (see what I did there,)  and critics weren't too kind to our dear boy Jackie when he first emerged, but fan's of Top Cow's long standing comic antihero received The Darkness with open arms. While the original Darkness was well built, it didn't offer much in the way branching out from the first person shooter realm. Likewise, the multiplayer felt tacked on and unrefined. Thankfully, the main campaign was well scripted and delivered at the end.

It seem's the gent's and ladies at 2K Publishing and Digital Extremes were listening to the gamers because come February 7th, fan's of the franchise will be able to dive right back into the gruesome world of the Darkness... without the gripes of the first title.   

The first thing worth mentioning is that the multiplayer component has been removed completely. As a player who spent some brief time with the original multiplayer I have to agree that this was a good decision. While the online versus wasn't particularly bad; it really didn't bring anything new to the table. This is just as well because after spending some time with the new title I can see where that effort went. Especially when you consider that the Darkness II will feature a separate four player co-op campaign. 

But getting back to the demo, the Darkness II returns in all of it's disturbingly graphic glory, and I must forewarn you, the last game was a walk in the park compared to the brutality your going to see in this sequel...  

Upon loading up the XBOX 360 demo build, the first thing I noticed was a newly stylized cell shaded art style. While a majority of players dislike this approach I feel it adds the comic book sense that was missing from the first game. As the demo opens, Jackie Estacado is being crucified and held against his will in exchange for the supernatural power he host's. A flashback sequence ensues showing us just how Jackie got into this mess to begin with. Here, we see that Mr. Estacado is as cynical as ever in his favorite restaurant, (I"m not going to spoil the moment by telling you what happen's next, just know that it's one of the those brutal moments I warned you about earlier.) And after that, the gameplay begins. 

The tense opening firefight offers a nice perspective from an angle hardly seen in a first person shooter; when you realize that your having to shoot it out as you're dragged across the restaurant on your back. However, the game also knows how to lighten the mood, especially when you're pinned down behind the bar and Vinnie says "he hasn’t been to the gym in weeks." A midst all of the surrounding havoc that old familiar, chilling, gurgle of a voice emerges beckoning you to return to the darkness again. 

And once Jackie does, the Darkness gets released in brutal, disturbing fashion. The revolting yet satisfying tentacles return to wreak havoc and dismember any one who dares cross pathes with Jackie. Also, the new executions employed by the dark tentacles are not only original, but fantastically horrid to watch. That's not all that's new though; a simple new ability to have the darkness pick up items and impale enemies is a welcomed touch. This practice also worked out well later on when I used a police car door as a bullet shield. 

Another welcomed return to the series are Darkness ghoul's. While their demented humor is a nice horror break, they now play a more significant role in the sense that you can fully use them to your advantage while in a firefight. And yet another addition to the game is an experience point system that lets you upgrade your abilities as you see fit in new and disturbing ways to eviserate your enemies. Remember the aforementioned ghoul? Now you can purchase an upgrade that lets you launch one at an enemies face so he can chew it off while you eat his heart (Hey man, I warned you.)

One thing that I am worried about is how the controls still feel a bit loose, again though, that's a personal preference and some people might enjoy that more. As the roller coaster of a demo ended with another invigorating (yet repellant) scene, Jackie ends up escaping from his captures hold with just enough energy left in him to hear his assailant barking about how when he awakens from blood loss his aunt will already be dead, and at the moment you think your about to get up and blast him, the demo cuts you short, right when you want to let loose the most; well done Digital Extremes, well done. 

To sum up, The Darkness II looks like it's set to deliver a solid package this February. A new art direction, accompanied by a solid musical score, well balanced gun fights, four player co-op, an upgrade system for Jackies new abilities and a well crafted story look to make The Darkness II an offer you won't be able to refuse. Don't believe me? Check it out now on XBOX Live or the PSN network now... just remember to thank me later.