Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,664 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition Game Cover
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In Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition, play as Death, the most feared Horseman, on a quest to redeem your brother's name and save Creation from an ancient grudge. This edition includes all DLC, improved graphics, and reworked game balancing for an enhanced experience. Discover a grim fantasy world with diverse environments and epic boss battles.

  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,664 reviews
story744 positive mentions
stability460 negative mentions
  • Great combat mechanics with a variety of weapons and abilities.
  • Visually stunning environments and character designs.
  • Engaging storyline with a compelling protagonist, Death.
  • Frequent crashes and bugs, especially when accessing menus.
  • Puzzles can be tedious and overly reliant on backtracking.
  • Camera issues make combat challenging, especially in crowded areas.
  • story2,043 mentions

    The story of "Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition" follows Death, one of the four horsemen, on a quest to redeem his brother War, who has been wrongfully accused of causing the apocalypse. While many players appreciate the engaging narrative and character development, some criticize the story for being bogged down by repetitive fetch quests and pacing issues, leading to a sense of tedium. Overall, the game is noted for its rich lore and compelling world-building, though it suffers from technical issues that can detract from the storytelling experience.

    • “I wholeheartedly recommend Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition to everyone who loves action-adventure games that embrace a rich story, captivating characters, and a vibrant world to explore.”
    • “The story is engaging and is told in a coherent manner!”
    • “The story follows Death, one of the four horsemen, who is trying to save his brother War, who has been wrongly accused of dooming humanity.”
    • “The story was mediocre and forgettable, but it gets the job done.”
    • “The story was fine, but I thought the first was better; I play this game for its gameplay, so it was a minor downgrade.”
    • “The story is thin despite the fact that the narrative is dense if you care to pay attention, not that it's required.”
  • gameplay1,000 mentions

    The gameplay of "Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition" is a mixed bag, praised for its engaging combat mechanics, fluidity, and RPG elements, but criticized for technical issues such as bugs, crashes, and clunky controls. Players appreciate the blend of hack-and-slash action with puzzle-solving and exploration reminiscent of titles like "Zelda" and "God of War," though many find the gameplay repetitive and marred by frustrating mechanics. Overall, while the game offers a rich experience with a compelling story and varied environments, its execution suffers from significant technical shortcomings that detract from the enjoyment.

    • “The gameplay is phenomenal; fast-paced, with a ton of options and setups for a variety of playstyles. It's also forgiving yet challenging at the same time, surprisingly strategic too, and the puzzles are very entertaining and well thought out.”
    • “The fluidity of the combat mechanics, along with the wide range of weapons and abilities at your disposal, keeps the gameplay engaging throughout.”
    • “Darksiders II offers a captivating and dynamic gameplay experience that seamlessly blends intense combat, intricate puzzles, and exploration.”
    • “Then it goes from a fun hack and slash to an unfair fustercluck of clunky mechanics and unusable controls.”
    • “Within the first minutes of gameplay, Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition demonstrates a short series of game-breaking bugs from menu screens that softlock the game to unresponsive climbing mechanics that force players to move pixel-by-pixel in order to progress to the next area.”
    • “The gameplay loop, from beginning to end, is spent doing platforming while solving puzzles that boil down to collecting three of various items to unlock the main path and clear the dungeon boss, all while stumbling across obvious fight rooms that you can't skip.”
  • graphics829 mentions

    The graphics of Darksiders II, particularly in the Deathinitive Edition, have received mixed reviews. Many players appreciate the game's unique art style, which has aged well and maintains a vibrant, comic-book aesthetic, while others note that the graphical improvements are minimal compared to the original release. Despite some graphical glitches and limited options for customization, the overall visuals are considered appealing, with enhanced lighting and textures that contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere.

    • “The game's art style is a dark and brooding masterpiece, immersing players in a world that's both hauntingly beautiful and filled with intricate details.”
    • “The graphics still look good, even by modern standards, considering it was originally made in 2010 (remastered in 2015) that's pretty amazing.”
    • “The visuals are enhanced too, but you wouldn't notice that unless you really look for it.”
    • “The graphics are mediocre, but this game doesn't rely on beauty to tell a story.”
    • “While the graphics have been improved, they still feel outdated and don't match up to the standards of modern gaming.”
    • “The touted graphical upgrade for the deathinitive edition wasn't really noticeable in a huge way, but it was very much welcome, though I wish the shadows were better, because they often fall prone to super bad striping in close-up character scenes.”
  • stability470 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users experience issues when accessing menus, leading to hard freezes that require restarting the game, while others encounter game-breaking glitches that prevent progression. Despite some players finding enjoyment in the game, the overwhelming consensus is that its technical problems make it frustrating and often unplayable.

    • “It runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “The game runs great and it looks beautiful thanks to its art style.”
    • “Beat the entire game, no cons, no bugs, no glitches.”
    • “I tried to enjoy this game, I really did, but I just can't with all the bugs, glitches, and crashes.”
    • “It had a plethora of stability issues - bugs that would force a restart, stuttering and frame drops, and even crashes/freezes.”
    • “The game freezes every time I try to use any of the in-game menus.”
  • music468 mentions

    The music in Darksiders II has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, with many reviewers praising the work of composer Jesper Kyd. Players highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the game's epic scale and emotional depth, often describing it as beautiful and memorable. However, some users have reported occasional audio bugs, such as music cutting out or becoming repetitive, which detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Darksiders II boasts a powerful and atmospheric soundtrack that complements the game's epic scale.”
    • “The soundtrack, composed by Jesper Kyd, sets the tone for the game perfectly, complementing the action and exploration with its sweeping orchestral compositions.”
    • “The music enhances the sense of adventure and foreboding as Death traverses various realms.”
    • “The music constantly loops in an endless loop, and after 1-2 hours of playing, the sound disappears completely.”
    • “The gameplay is quite fun, but there is a lack of music in a lot of sections on the map, and the combat music is boring.”
    • “I found myself having a few audio issues throughout the game such as music stopping, echoing (like I was in a massive auditorium), and the soundtrack eventually became a bit monotonous.”
  • optimization282 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users reporting severe performance issues, including frequent crashes, stuttering, and frame drops, even on high-end hardware. While the "Deathinitive Edition" offers some visual improvements, it fails to deliver a stable experience, often requiring players to implement unofficial fixes or revert to previous versions for better performance. Overall, the game's optimization is considered poor, with many recommending against purchasing it until significant updates are made.

    • “Performance and optimization: the Deathinitive Edition demonstrates commendable performance and optimization improvements compared to the original release.”
    • “The consistent updates, bug fixes, and optimization efforts post-launch highlight their commitment to delivering a polished and enjoyable experience.”
    • “Awesome game just wish they optimized graphics better for PC...”
    • “Decent game, unfortunately it suffers from severe performance issues, even on modern hardware.”
    • “You have random crashes, then you have consistent crashes during specific cutscenes and special encounters that you can fix only by opting in for the beta branch update that was never finished/released, but then that introduces even worse performance and renders other parts of the game unplayable because of new types of crashing.”
    • “The game is good, but the optimization is so bad, with an average PC I can only get 40-45 fps, which is not that good for how old this game is.”
  • grinding137 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the excessive fetch quests, long side missions, and the overall lack of engaging content. While some appreciate the loot collection and RPG elements, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game feels bloated and unnecessarily padded, leading to a monotonous experience that detracts from the enjoyment of gameplay. Overall, players recommend caution for those who dislike grinding, as it significantly impacts the game's pacing and enjoyment.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A lot of grinding.”
    • “They're not difficult puzzles, mind you; they were tedious for me (not tedious enough to finish the game though).”
    • “This game is the dictionary definition of tedious.”
    • “The game is too long and quite tedious.”
    • “Selling them off to keep your inventory manageable became a tedious chore, and by the halfway point, I had so much money that it lost all meaning.”
  • atmosphere94 mentions

    The atmosphere in the Darksiders series is widely praised for its captivating art style, immersive environments, and powerful soundtracks that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the intricate character designs and the unique atmospheres of different zones, which contribute to a rich, fantastical world. However, some reviews note a shift in tone between installments, with the sequel feeling less gritty and more vibrant, leading to mixed feelings about its atmospheric impact compared to the original.

    • “The dark and atmospheric tones, combined with intricate character designs and creative world-building, create an immersive experience that pulls players into the heart of a fantastical apocalypse.”
    • “The soundtrack, composed by Jesper Kyd, is a perfect complement to the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The game presents a visually stunning and immersive world filled with detailed environments and atmospheric lighting.”
    • “The sound effects, from the clash of weapons to the eerie whispers of dungeons, contribute to the game's atmosphere.”
    • “Atmosphere wise is also weaker, cause the first part had an epic apocalyptic gloomy atmosphere, while here everything is bright and shiny, and feels kinda friendly.”
    • “Where colors used to be vibrant and appealing, they now changed to washed out hues that do not convey the same atmosphere.”
  • replayability51 mentions

    Darksiders II offers a solid replayability experience, bolstered by its New Game+ mode, diverse side quests, collectibles, and a loot system that encourages exploration and character customization. While many players appreciate the depth and variety that enhance replay value, some critiques mention that the story may limit the desire to replay. Overall, the game is generally regarded as more replayable than its predecessor, with ample content to keep players engaged.

    • “Darksiders II offers replay value through its New Game+ mode and various collectibles.”
    • “With its wealth of side quests, collectibles, and secrets to uncover, Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition offers ample replayability.”
    • “The loot system and weapon variations, as well as the skill tree system, add even more depth and replayability to the game.”
    • “Zero replay value.”
    • “And as such, there's not much replayability.”
    • “The biggest thing that takes away from the replayability is unfortunately the story itself.”
  • humor38 mentions

    The game's humor is characterized by a blend of witty, dry sarcasm and silly moments, particularly embodied by the character of Death, whose darkly comedic dialogue adds depth to the otherwise bleak setting. Players appreciate the clever writing and voice acting, which often elicits laughter, although some find inconsistencies in humor and character likability. Overall, the humor enhances the experience, making the game enjoyable despite its technical flaws.

    • “Namely, the game is absolutely chock full of witty humor, dry, sarcastic comments, and silly moments mixed with serious ones.”
    • “Death can be really funny: 'Now hand over the key, it can be our little secret,' and he's saying this to the Samael demon prince.”
    • “Death's humor and voice acting are top-notch, making him a great character who balances being funny without being overly edgy or wacky.”
    • “It's so hilarious it's not funny anymore”
    • “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
    • “I expected clever humor, but it was mostly just cringeworthy.”
  • character development38 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some reviews highlight the compelling growth of Death as a protagonist, others criticize the lack of significant character evolution throughout the story. The character designs are universally praised for their detail and creativity, contributing to an immersive experience, but opinions vary on whether the character arcs are as strong as the visual elements. Overall, the game's art direction and character design are standout features, even if the narrative depth is perceived as lacking by some players.

    • “Death's character development is a standout feature, making him a compelling protagonist with a depth that resonates throughout the entire journey.”
    • “Regardless, Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition is a game that has surpassed the first game in almost (if not) all aspects: story, character development, fighting engine, etc. This game tells the story of 'Death', one of the four horsemen, 'War's' brother, and his quest for 'War's' salvation.”
    • “- Character development of Death is great, makes him go from a character you wouldn't like to an understandable guy who really isn't all that bad.”
    • “There isn't any character development; Death is the same snarky character at the end that he was at the start.”
    • “Poor character development.”
    • “While the plot of the game is straightforward and there is not much character development to be had, we still get exposed to one of the best and more unique renditions of death.”
  • emotional32 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players find the protagonist Death's journey compelling and emotionally engaging, particularly through its poetic narrative and haunting music, others criticize the overall story as lacking depth and emotional impact compared to other titles in the genre. The DLCs, especially "The Demon Lord Belial," are noted for evoking stronger emotional responses, but many players still feel that the gameplay and puzzles overshadow the narrative experience.

    • “The haunting melodies and epic compositions add an emotional layer to the narrative and intensify the grandeur of key moments.”
    • “The narrative is gripping, and the protagonist, Death, is a compelling character whose journey you can't help but become emotionally invested in.”
    • “The story and characters were another aspect of the game that I found engaging; against all odds, the main character, Death, is a compelling protagonist that I found myself actually caring about by the end of the game, due in no small part to the voice actor (Michael Wincott) providing an excellent performance that even got a little bit emotional at times.”
    • “1) Mind-numbing, boring story.”
    • “You can have smooth gameplay and nice character customization, but the lame and boring story didn't do it for me.”
    • “Really bland and boring story.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing it as a "quick cash grab" due to instability and intrusive ads, particularly when using the Steam browser. However, others appreciate the absence of microtransactions or DLCs, highlighting the enjoyable game progression and RPG mechanics that enhance exploration and combat. Overall, the monetization strategy appears to detract from the experience for some, while others find value in the core gameplay.

    • “There are no microtransactions or DLCs, which makes the game feel complete and fair.”
    • “I appreciate that the game doesn't rely on microtransactions to enhance the experience.”
    • “The absence of additional paid content means I can enjoy the game without any financial pressure.”
    • “This version is really unstable, better to play the original rather than this quick cash grab from Nordic.”
    • “Well, I'm definitely down for another Darksiders game if the original developers do it, but I'm not up for a buggy and sloppy cash grab like this.”
    • “Not being able to alt-tab without crashing is awful, especially given the complexity of some of the game's puzzles.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

19hMedian play time
21hAverage play time
9-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 54 analyzed playthroughs

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