Feb 3, 2012
The Darkness was a game overlooked by a lot of people but those who did play it usually have pretty positive memories of the game. The game was near the original launch of the 360 and was somewhat overlooked by everybody and surprisingly the video game gods see it fit for it to have a sequel. With the demo out now on XBL/Steam/PSN you can experience the next chapter in this cult series and to say the least it is extremely violent.
Not very often does a game catch me off guard with its sheer amount of gore and over the top violence but The Darkness 2 demo certainly starts off a startling scene as the player is fixed up to a cross and has his hands nailed to it. That’s not the only cringe worthy moment in the opening moments but I will leave you to find out about that.
Aesthetically the game is very pleasing and even sports a new shaded look to the characters which really adds a nice and unique flair to the game. The environments are not to memorable but the demo takes you through a restaurant, street allies and a subway. The character design will feel familiar to players of the original but for those of you who have not played it the game has a very mob based mentality when it comes to the character design and acting. The “Darkness” character really stands out in this game breathing life, rather taking it away, from the characters around it.
Speaking of taking life away, you will be doing that a fair amount in The Darkness 2. From hand guns to tentacles that rip people in half you will be whimsically shredding your enemies in an ultra violent fashion. You will soon fill the areas with a crimson mist as you give into the Darkness’ desire for death and destruction. You are rewarded for doing executions with colorful names like “Wish Bone” and “Daisy Pop”. The games mechanics for the extensions are enjoyable with chucking objects and the sort around along with dismembering the waves of gang members. The one thing that is lacking however is the gunplay. This was a similar plauge in the last game and the gun mechanics in this game do not feel that much better. The guns feel more solid compared to the previous installment but the aiming feels a little clunky and just spraying the screen full of rounds seems to be the most effect use of guns.
The game is also introducing a grid base level up system similar to Final Fantasy 10 that allows the player to experience the game in a few different varieties and become a master of the darkness in different paths. The demo limits you to only scratch the surface of the system but I look forward to seeing how many different ways I be grim reaper to hordes of gang members.
The game does a nice job of leading you step by step throughout various parts in the game and it really feels like the game is coming together nicely and I look forward to seeing how the game turns out on the 7th!

No comments
Trackbacks/Pingbacks