Darkness II Review

The Darkness 2 is what happens when you take a genre that's been submerged in cliches and infuse it with new gameplay elements, a change of graphics and a strong narrative.
As dark, violent and obscene the game is, as much of a blast of fresh air it is in reality.



Gameplay-wise the Darkness continues the same gameplay as seen as in the previous game. Although you have a decent delection of guns at your disposal, those will not be your main weapons. You are inhibited by an ancient evil phantom called the Darkness, which grants you two snake-like tentacle arms extending from your shoulders. These are able to swipe or grapple foes, and also allow you to regenerate health by devouring the hearts of your foes. They also perform finisher moves with an obsene cruelty I have not seen much in videogames.











Graphically I can imagine the game is a hit and miss for people. The developers obviously wanted to stray true to the game's graphic novel roots by giving it a feel of a polished cellshaded reflection.
Think Borderlands graphics but darker, and less rough.
This is where the game will either appeal to you for that unique visual style, or on the contrary just repel you.

Narratively the game has amazing strong. You are thrown into the sequel by means of a half flashback and the memory of your late beloved is what drives your personal quest forward. Although perhaps not everything is what it seems, as later you find yourself in an asylum where the game is hinting that perhaps this is just your imagination.  It almost feels postmodern in that effect and I had to admit I was rivetted by that and you ponder whch is reality and which insanity.
Unfortunately later on in the game starts to drag, perhaps not as much naratively as more gameplay-wise. This is a shame as the single-player game is rather short like so many other FS's nowadays.

All in all The darkness 2