Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition
- October 27, 2015
Had this been bundled with a remastered version of Darksiders, the package would be perfect. As it stands, it's just a slightly better version of an already brilliant game.
What starts with War, ends in Death. Awakened by the End of Days, Death, the most feared of the legendary Four Horsemen, embarks upon a quest to restore mankind, and redeem his brother's name. Along the way, the Horseman discovers that there are far worse things than an earthly Apocalypse, and that an ancient grudge may threaten all of Creation ... Death.
Reviews
- Excellent Zelda-style progression and a rewarding loot system enhance gameplay.
- Beautiful, vibrant artwork and well-designed environments create an engaging visual experience.
- Combat is satisfying and the game offers a variety of content, including inventive puzzles and a well-told story.
- Technical issues such as frame rate drops and camera problems detract from the overall experience.
- The game feels like a minor upgrade from the original, offering little new for returning players.
- Some dungeons can feel overly long and the pacing may drag towards the end.
- graphics6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a mixed bag; while some users praise its beautiful and vibrant artwork, others criticize the clunky combat and numerous graphical glitches that detract from the experience. The remastered visuals are seen as lacking innovation, with many feeling they still resemble last-gen graphics, and issues like erratic frame rates and sound synchronization further diminish the overall quality.
“Beautiful, vibrant artwork, responsive controls, challenging but not frustrating, plays well in undocked mode.”
“There are some framerate hitches to go along with the graphical and lighting overhaul, and there isn’t a whole lot new here, but if you missed out the first time, don’t let this one pass you by.”
“Combat feels clunky, and the graphically impressive game ends up looking bad in motion.”
“It has a bunch of graphical glitches, runs at an erratic frame rate, and has a lot of missing sound effects or sound that is out of sync.”
“Visuals still look last-gen, despite the remaster.”
- stability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's stability is marked by a mix of issues, including graphical glitches, erratic frame rates, and occasional sound problems, which detract from the overall experience. While the title offers a solid gameplay experience and improvements in visuals, these technical shortcomings prevent it from achieving full potential. However, it generally runs well on the Switch, indicating some variation in performance across platforms.
“The enjoyable campaign is complete with great combat, puzzles, and exploration. The loot system and unlockables are rewarding, and the game generally runs great on the Switch.”
“The game maintains a stable performance throughout, ensuring a smooth experience during intense combat and exploration.”
“I appreciate how consistently stable the game runs, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the gameplay without interruptions.”
“It has a bunch of graphical glitches, runs at an erratic frame rate, and has a lot of missing sound effects or sound that is out of sync.”
“This very decent deathinitive edition includes all of the DLC and commendably improves the assets and lighting effects, but it gets slightly cut down by our scythe of criticism for minor glitches and framerate woes.”
“Some glitches and the fact that it does not add all that much to the base game hold it back a little but it is still a solid title.”
- story2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's story is highly praised for its well-told narrative and impactful ending, complemented by fantastic voice talent and an immersive soundtrack. Players appreciate the integration of all DLC, which enhances the overall storytelling experience, while the beautiful environments add depth to the narrative.
“Well-told story with a killer ending.”
“Fantastic storyline, incredible voice talent and soundtrack.”
“Beautiful environments.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Darksiders II features engaging gameplay characterized by an addictive loot system, impressive traversal and combat mechanics, and memorable mythical settings. The game is further enhanced by strong character development and captivating lore, complemented by excellent voice acting.
“Darksiders II was one of the more memorable titles from the previous generation, with breathtaking, mythical settings supported by interesting characters, fascinating lore, and snappy gameplay.”
“The addictive loot system, great traversal and combat mechanics, and fantastic voice work by Michael Wincott make for an engaging experience.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the storytelling and create diverse atmospheres, ranging from ethereal to epic. The soundtrack, combined with impressive voice talent, significantly contributes to the overall immersive experience.
“Music helps create a nice range of environments, from the ethereal to the epic.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by unexpected moments, such as a bugged enemy comically attempting to attack during character conversations, adding an amusing and unpredictable element to the gameplay.
“Even during character conversations, there will be a bugged-out enemy eagerly trying to attack Death, which can be hilarious.”
“The witty dialogue and absurd situations had me laughing out loud more than once.”
“I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously, with quirky characters and ridiculous scenarios that keep the humor flowing.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game's optimization is inconsistent, with performance issues persisting in certain areas.
“The optimization in this game is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I appreciate how the developers have focused on optimization, making the game run efficiently without sacrificing graphics.”
“The game's optimization has significantly improved my overall experience, reducing lag and enhancing responsiveness.”
“Performance remains a bit shaky.”
“The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, especially in crowded areas.”
“Loading times are excessively long, which disrupts the overall experience.”
Critic Reviews
Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition (Switch) Review
The oldest Wii U game currently available on Switch.
85%Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition Review
Despite some minor issues, Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition is a great PS4 re-release of an already fantastic action-adventure romp.
85%Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition Review
It feels like it’s been a long time coming and thankfully, any concerns fans may have had ahead of a Switch release can be laid to rest by Death himself. Darksiders II Deathinitive Edition is a visual feast, offering little to those who have already played through elsewhere but holding nothing back for the purists and new players alike. Age-old camera issues remain, but if you’ve been waiting to get on board with Death and his Horsemen, this late-to-the-party package is an easy recommendation.
80%