The Darkness II
- February 8, 2012
- Digital Extremes
- 6h median play time
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Get on Xbox Games Store"The Darkness II" is a first-person shooter game that follows the story of Jackie Estacado, the Don of the Franchetti crime family, who is cursed by the ancient and powerful force known as the Darkness. Players must master Jackie's supernatural abilities to combat the Darkness's nemesis, the Brotherhood, while exploring the criminal underworld. With a unique quad-wielding system, players can utilizes guns and Darkness powers simultaneously for a thrilling and immersive gaming experience.
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Reviews
- story4,791 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "The Darkness II" follows Jackie Estacado, a mafia don grappling with the supernatural powers of the Darkness while seeking revenge for the death of his girlfriend, Jenny. Players appreciate the game's emotional depth, engaging characters, and unique narrative style, though many note that the story is relatively short, typically lasting around 5-7 hours, and ends on a cliffhanger that leaves fans wanting more. The blend of dark themes, humor, and comic book aesthetics contributes to a compelling experience, making it a standout in the first-person shooter genre despite some criticisms of predictability and linearity.
“What makes The Darkness II stand out is the emotionally intense story.”
“Developed by Digital Extremes, this sequel tells the dark, emotional story of Jackie Estacado, a mafia don haunted by both his past and the ancient demonic force living inside him—known simply as 'the Darkness.'”
“The Darkness II is an ambitious, story-driven shooter that blends intense action, a unique visual style, and a powerful, character-driven narrative.”
“It's a shame that the story ends on a cliffhanger, which is unlikely to be resolved soon.”
“The story is very short and linear, and honestly not as well-written as the original.”
“The story is a bit short, only about 5 hours but apart from that great game!”
- gameplay2,163 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Darkness II" is widely praised for its unique mechanics, particularly the quad-wielding system that allows players to use both firearms and supernatural powers simultaneously. While the combat is described as fast-paced and satisfying, some players noted that it can become repetitive over time, especially given the game's relatively short length of around 5-7 hours. The integration of light and darkness mechanics adds an interesting layer to the gameplay, requiring players to strategize around light sources to maintain their powers, although this can also lead to frustration during combat. Overall, the game is recognized for its engaging and brutal gameplay, complemented by a compelling story and stylish visuals.
“The gameplay is fun and frantic.”
“The gameplay is a perfect blend of fast-paced gunplay and unique darkness powers.”
“The gameplay is where 'The Darkness II' truly shines.”
“The gameplay itself felt underwhelming and could have benefited from more innovative mechanics or tighter controls.”
“The gameplay is dull -- a cross between corridor shooter and a cover shooter with no good mechanics or level design to support either play style.”
“The gameplay gets repetitive, even with the nice skill trees and possible upgrades.”
- graphics1,449 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of "The Darkness II" have received mixed but generally positive feedback, with many praising its unique cel-shaded art style that evokes a comic book aesthetic. While some players miss the darker, more realistic visuals of the original game, the vibrant colors and stylized graphics are often seen as a fitting complement to the game's intense and gory gameplay. Overall, the visuals are considered to have aged well, maintaining a distinct charm that enhances the game's narrative and atmosphere.
“The game's visuals and atmosphere are brilliantly haunting, with a dark, almost noir-like aesthetic that matches the grim tone of the story.”
“The cel-shaded graphics give the game a distinctive look that feels like a living comic book, which perfectly suits the game's dark and violent tone.”
“The graphics, like the rest of the game, aged very well, partly thanks to the choice of the cel-shaded look.”
“It's a shame, however, that this aesthetic was not carried over into the actual gameplay, where the comic-like visual style felt somewhat at odds with the serious themes of the story.”
“The cel-shaded graphics, while unique, seemed to detract from the immersive and sinister atmosphere that the cover art so brilliantly captured.”
“The biggest problem is the god awful change in art style.”
- humor227 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its dark, edgy, and often absurd nature, with many players highlighting the hilarious voice acting and memorable dialogue. The interactions between characters, particularly the comedic sidekick, add a layer of levity to the otherwise grim narrative, making for a unique blend of humor and violence. Overall, the game successfully balances its serious themes with moments of genuine hilarity, appealing to fans of dark humor and action alike.
“The star of the show is the incredible voice acting; the game is genuinely quite funny as all the mafia guys say some horrendous things.”
“Almost every line of dialogue is funny, memorable, and well voice acted.”
“The game has a surprising amount of humor, considering the otherwise dark subject matter.”
“To top off the shit sandwich, they decided an unfunny quipping British darkling that farts and pisses was a worthwhile addition to the game.”
“You are also accompanied by a revolting creature that just provides unfunny toilet humor and goads you into more violence.”
“The tasteless, unfunny sidekick that bothers you throughout the entire story caused me to want to refund the game.”
- music220 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and intensity of gameplay through eerie and immersive soundtracks. While some players found the original compositions memorable and fitting, others felt that the music was generic or forgettable, often overshadowed by licensed tracks. Overall, the sound design, including voice acting and sound effects, was generally well-received, contributing positively to the game's dark and gritty ambiance.
“The soundtrack blends eerie, haunting melodies with pulse-pounding action tracks, seamlessly shifting between moments of tension and chaos.”
“The atmospheric soundtrack sets the tone for the dark and gritty world, enhancing the immersion and intensity of the gameplay.”
“The music and atmosphere are definitely well suited for the certain areas; the fighting music really pumps up your will to just push forward and slice and dice your way through with nothing but your dark unholy powers!”
“The music is dull and just here to fill the void.”
“The soundtrack is completely forgettable and generic, and the ambient sound design is extremely lacking.”
“The only thing I dislike about this game is a lack of music that would fit the action.”
- atmosphere199 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, haunting visuals and immersive sound design, effectively capturing a gothic and noir-like aesthetic that complements the narrative's grim themes. While the cel-shaded graphics provide a unique style, many players feel it detracts from the more realistic and oppressive atmosphere of the original game. Overall, the combination of compelling storytelling, atmospheric music, and detailed environments creates a captivating experience, though some fans express a preference for the darker tone of its predecessor.
“The game's visuals and atmosphere are brilliantly haunting, with a dark, almost noir-like aesthetic that matches the grim tone of the story.”
“The atmospheric soundtrack sets the tone for the dark and gritty world, enhancing the immersion and intensity of the gameplay.”
“The juxtaposition of the mafia crime story and the supernatural elements of the darkness power adds depth to the game's atmosphere.”
“The game's use of cel-shading enhances the gritty atmosphere, making every encounter a cinematic experience that is both brutal and beautiful.”
“I don't hate this game but as a sequel it's very underwhelming; none of the atmosphere from the original is carried over and gameplay-wise it's just an arcade shooter.”
“The new cel-shaded graphics look really good, but they somewhat detract from the realistic, dark atmosphere that made the first game look and feel as great as it did.”
- replayability172 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising the New Game+ mode and cooperative missions that enhance longevity, while others criticize its short campaign and linear design, leading to a perception of limited replay value. Many reviews highlight the potential for replay through skill trees and alternate character paths, but overall, the consensus suggests that while there are elements that encourage replay, the game may not offer enough content to sustain long-term interest.
“So much replay value with the new game+ and other game mode vendettas with 4 other playable characters with a campaign running parallel to the main story.”
“The game is replayable, especially when you want to complete one hundred percent of it through a game+.”
“With new game+ and 'vendettas', which I believe to be extra missions, there is still plenty of replayability.”
“However, the short campaign and repetitive levels can make the game feel a bit lackluster, and the lack of replay value may be a turnoff for some players.”
“The game itself is short and not that replayable.”
“There is no replay value in this at all, and to be honest, the game kinda sucks.”
- emotional139 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "The Darkness II" is highlighted by its intense narrative centered around Jackie Estacado's grief over his girlfriend Jenny's death, which drives the story and character development. Players appreciate the blend of action and emotional depth, with many noting the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, including sadness and attachment to characters. The voice acting and visual design further enhance the emotional experience, making it a standout in the FPS genre despite some criticisms regarding predictability and pacing.
“What makes The Darkness II stand out is the emotionally intense story.”
“Jackie's struggle to deal with Jenny's death is touching, reminding us that even 'evil' people like him feel love and loss.”
“The Darkness II is a visually stunning game with a compelling storyline that takes players on a dark and emotional journey.”
“A bug with a boring story that they overdo with the drama.”
“Who cares about this boring story? Skip the cutscenes, just let those tentacles feed!”
“Predictive and boring storyline.”
- stability126 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting frequent glitches and bugs that can hinder gameplay, such as getting stuck in vents or encountering graphical issues. While some users noted that enabling vsync can mitigate certain problems, others experienced significant game-breaking glitches that required restarts. Overall, while the game runs well on modern machines and offers enjoyable gameplay, its stability issues detract from the experience for many players.
“From a technical perspective, the game holds up; it still runs great on modern machines and it looks and sounds good.”
“This game is a flawless console port and it runs great.”
“It runs great on low spec machines or high-end laptop graphic cards (I'm using 650m running high on 1440p).”
“The game is overall fun but seems to have some glitches from time to time. For example, getting stuck in the vent when you are playing as the monkey. To fix this, you need to turn on V-Sync. I would give this game a 10/10, but you forced me to turn on what I hate most, V-Sync, just to get through a vent, so I give it a 5/10.”
“The darkness II has many flaws, such as not being able to disable motion blur, glitches being common, and the obnoxious intro logos being way too loud no matter the volume settings.”
“There are some annoying glitches like blurry vision (though you can press F12 to take a screenshot). It's not a permanent fix, but it does help for some time. There are also invisible walls with V-Sync off.”
- optimization86 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game is generally well-received, with many players reporting stable frame rates and smooth performance, even on lower-end systems. While some users experienced minor stuttering and technical glitches, the majority found the game to run effectively without significant issues, particularly on modern hardware. However, there are notable complaints regarding performance on Mac systems and some inconsistencies in controls for PC players.
“The game is well optimized and easily playable with a controller.”
“Amazing optimization for low-spec PCs.”
“No issues to report, framerate is stable and there is no stuttering or abnormal resource usage.”
“The optimization was horrible, not even stable 30fps, with very shoddy controls.”
“Playing on a Mac with certain specs is impossible because the game is poorly optimized and renders textures improperly, creating a yellow film over the majority of the gameplay.”
“There are a few spots where, despite having high-end hardware, there is some frame rate stuttering.”
- grinding45 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 82 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the need to manage light mechanics and engage in lengthy combat sequences. While some appreciate the fast-paced action and unique gameplay elements, others feel that the grinding detracts from the overall experience, especially during certain missions and boss fights. Overall, the game is described as enjoyable but often bogged down by its grindy elements.
“A lot of grinding.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The enemies the game switches to somewhere around the midpoint make the fights grow really tedious and stupid, especially with the game finding every possible way through lights to get rid of the abilities you spent the whole time upgrading.”
“Gameplay starts okay but quickly becomes tedious, and there's at least one awful quick time event.”
- character development29 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth, particularly in the portrayal of Jackie and his relationships, enhanced by strong voice acting and engaging storytelling. However, some characters feel underdeveloped, lacking the same level of complexity, which detracts from the overall experience. While the pacing keeps the narrative engaging, it sometimes sacrifices deeper exploration of characters, leading to a rushed conclusion.
“Engaging character development: the game further develops Jackie as a character, providing insights into his past and his relationships with others in his life.”
“The voice acting and character development further elevate the storytelling, making each character, even the otherworldly ones, feel human and relatable.”
“Impactful story full of varying emotion with a surprising amount of character development that actually makes you care about what's going on.”
“The pacing keeps the story engaging, but the brevity leaves little room for deeper exploration or character development, and the ending feels slightly rushed.”
“You also get to pick from 4 new characters but these feel 2-dimensional at best – they get no character development apart from a few voice lines and feel (and play) like a discount version of Jackie – they only have one of Jackie's main abilities from the game.”
“+ character development, beyond the protagonist is mostly one-dimensional.”
- monetization9 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing intrusive ads and outdated mechanics reminiscent of early 2010s shooters. While there are microtransactions that some view as beneficial, the presence of loud ads and promotional content for future games detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game's monetization strategy seems to hinder its pacing and enjoyment.
“Microtransactions for a good cause.”
“Microtransactions for a good cause 😈”
“Wasn't a fan of the ending and how it was very obviously an advertisement for a third game, which I don't even know if it's a thing at this moment.”
“Some of the ads that show up when starting the game blast out their sound (and I mean blast).”
