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80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 71 Critic Reviews What's this?

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7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 269 Ratings

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  • Summary: Inspired by the comic book series, The Darkness II is a first-person shooter that thrusts you into the role of Jackie Estacado, don of a New York crime family and wielder of an ancient chaotic force known as The Darkness. It has been 2 years since Jackie used his power to kill the guysInspired by the comic book series, The Darkness II is a first-person shooter that thrusts you into the role of Jackie Estacado, don of a New York crime family and wielder of an ancient chaotic force known as The Darkness. It has been 2 years since Jackie used his power to kill the guys responsible for his girlfriend’s murder. He has been unable to free himself of the memory of Jenny’s death since bottling up The Darkness and now it wants out. A botched attempt to end Jackie’s life opens the door for The Darkness to reemerge and sets Jackie on a brutal journey as he unravels the mystery behind the attack and the motives of The Darkness. [2K Games] Expand
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 71
  2. Negative: 0 out of 71
  1. Feb 28, 2012
    100
    It even looks fantastic, with an emphasis on cel-shaded splatter horror. The Darkness II plays as if it were an homage to the EC Comics of the 40s and 50s. It has that same grimly colorful and colorfully grim vibe in its approach to crucifixion, torture, madness, hell, and a demon who pees on bodies and farts in their dead faces.
  2. Feb 7, 2012
    90
    Better A.I. and combat mechanics than the first Darkness, gorgeously painted environments, and the same ol' omnipotent snake-headed dark force makes for one heck of a game play combination.
  3. Feb 15, 2012
    85
    The combat is intoxicating, and the level of gore is definitely satisfying.
  4. Feb 7, 2012
    80
    Despite the anticlimactic ending, shoddy boss fights, and lackluster multiplayer, The Darkness 2 is an extremely impressive game. It oozes style, packs an emotional punch, and manages to be effectively balance bombastic violence with understated character development, ensuring that when the Darkness is unleashed you care.
  5. Feb 14, 2012
    80
    The Darkness II's less dour, more fantastical take on the shooter is a welcome change of pace to the string of samey combat scenarios publishers have assured us we can't get enough of over the past five years.
  6. Feb 7, 2012
    80
    In the end, it can feel like we're left with half a game, sort of like that bad guy we ripped the legs off of earlier. The Darkness II features a tight experience with exemplary voice-acting and wonderfully gory graphics. As a piece of storytelling it is one of the better games this generation.
  7. Feb 10, 2012
    60
    The Darkness II is a good FPS, but that's thanks to its atmosphere and storytelling, clearly not to its gameplay itself. It's violent and brutal, but not really smart (the AI being really poor), and the campaign is rather short. Online, the experience lacks this storytelling appeal, even though it remains solid.

See all 71 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 61
  2. Negative: 3 out of 61
  1. Feb 17, 2012
    10
    The darkness 2 is a true sequel improving on almost every aspect of the first game, the combat is smooth and vicious, the graphics have a cellThe darkness 2 is a true sequel improving on almost every aspect of the first game, the combat is smooth and vicious, the graphics have a cell shaded look which fits brilliantly in this comic book adaptation and my personal favourite aspect; the riveting and emotional story. While the main campaign is initially short the newgame+ and co-op vendettas mode flesh the game out to be well worth its asking price and whilst some reviewers have complained about bugs in the game during my time with the game I didn't notice a single one. Expand
  2. Jun 9, 2013
    10
    A TRULY FUN ATMOSPHERIC GAME OOZING WITH 90's NOSTALGIA AND NYC STYLE. This game carves out its own interesting mythology that is veryA TRULY FUN ATMOSPHERIC GAME OOZING WITH 90's NOSTALGIA AND NYC STYLE. This game carves out its own interesting mythology that is very fascinating with the darkness and the angelus. The atmosphere is engrossing and dark and anyone who experienced the 90's for real will love the what 90's nyc has to offer from dialogue to Jane's addiction playing on the radio in the backround. More so than that this game tells a great story that will have you questioning your (Jackie Estacado)'s sanity more than once. It has great plot twists and leaves room for a sequel (fingers crossed) though i doubt it as it under sold due to people playing truly unique story driven shooters instead like Call of Doody (because the difference from modern warfare2 to modernwarfare 3 is so immense that admittedly they use the same exact game engine year to year hence the graphics neeever improving, where as look at how beautifully battlefield's graphics improve,frostbite1-gorgeous frostbite2 )so anyway back to FPS's that are actually fun, the Darkness 2 has the most fun and unique combat i have ever played in a FPS more so than bioshock. To what turns out to be a kind of quad wielding with regular satisfying dual wielding guns and two beautifully hideous snake like demon arms with demon heads on them growing out of your back in the dark (which is most of the game). The demon arms can flatout destroy and they steal the show with a multitude of capabilities from slashing a man in two to lacerating to eating a man's head to pick up objects like barrels and men and throwing them to grabbing car doors and using them as a shield they are simply amazing. They have a variety of finishing moves and they can even be used to throw your monkey like(even though he calls you monkey) demon pet at enemies and watch him rip them apart. Granted it is linear and it is rather short, it should be played on hard otherwise it is too easy. Jackie has multiple skill trees as well with unique upgradable powers and new abilities. The short single player campaign is more than tolerable considering there is a plethora of story advancing play to be had after the regular campaign. They have a vendetta campaign with 4 other playable characters which you can play alone or in coop. Either way it is very enjoyable playing and advancing other unique darkness empowered characters and further advancing the story. These are fully fleshed out characters with large skill trees, unique weapons, and distinct personalities. This mode extends the main story and is about half the length of the main story but with 4 different characters to try out. If that wasn't enough the game has a hitlist mode where you are placed in large semi levels tasked with ultimately taking out a boss like target after dispatching his henchmen. They have many of these hitlist missions and they can be played with friends as well and as any of the 4 new characters. All together there is MORE than enough content and Vendetta campaign and hitlists are not tacked on they are fully fleshed out and fun. Overall this is a very enjoyable FPS and it deserved more in sales and more from the reviewers i.e. game informer giving it a 7. something this game deserves better and it is Not a seven. I played the 360 version and experience ZERO bugs, stylish cell shaded graphics (after all it is a comic book) (see top cow) and an overall great time. 9.25/10 the Darkness 2 Expand
  3. Feb 7, 2012
    10
    Just started playing The Darkness 2, i have now about 5 hours of play , and this is a must buy !
    For those who played first darkness this is
    Just started playing The Darkness 2, i have now about 5 hours of play , and this is a must buy !
    For those who played first darkness this is a day one buy for sure.
    The new graphics engine is fantastic, digital extreme was done an incridible job without any doubts.
    The story is still very good like the first game, the gameplay is alot improved, the OST is great... It is more linear then the first, but you get to do whatever you want on your mansion, talk / do mini-games.
    Multiplayer is much better, you get a separte campaign, you can play in co-op mode too.
    The limited edition costs as much a regular edition of any new game, and its very good... the cover is 3D and you get a poster inside the box of the game, and the special content.

    My score is 9/10
    Expand
  4. Apr 14, 2012
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I never played The Darkness 1 so i'm new in the series. And I can say it was a hell of a ride for me. The gameplay is perfect in it. The campaign was very good but too short for me. And one thing, don't do stay with Jenny ending or the end will suck
    Do the other ending, it's so much better. Coop is good and fun but not 2k's best coop game ever.
    Campaign 8/10 Coop 8/10 The Darkness 2 8.1/10
    Expand
  5. Feb 16, 2017
    8
    I had the pleasure to play and finish the Darkness II and I was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining this game was.

    I have never played
    I had the pleasure to play and finish the Darkness II and I was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining this game was.

    I have never played the first Darkness game, so I thought I would find myself lost; however, this game has a nice recap that puts you up to date from the get go. I found the story telling very interesting, intriguing, and captivating. I always wanted to know what would happen to Jackie Estacado, his family, friends, and loved ones.

    The gameplay is a mixture between FPS and role playing game (Skyrimish when it comes to the Darkness skills). I think it's a great combination, and I hope that they would emphasize the role playing aspect more in future games. I strongly believe that this franchise has the potential to make way more money if they shift the balance from FPS with a little RPG elements, to RPG with FPS elements. Especially that the story telling is pretty good! Additional quests/subquests would make it more appealing to a larger audience in my humble opinion.

    I had a great time playing this game and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to explore the Darkness universe. Finally, I would like to thanks the developers for making this game, and I hope to see more coming from you guys! :)

    Verdict: B+
    Expand
  6. Feb 8, 2012
    7
    Great story, great gameplay, great co-op, great fun. The downfall of this game is the story is 5-7 hours long. A single player based gameGreat story, great gameplay, great co-op, great fun. The downfall of this game is the story is 5-7 hours long. A single player based game should not be 5 hours... no matter what. There is no excuse and this is the biggest flaw with the game. Very disappointing. Makes you wonder if your 60 dollars was worth it. Expand
  7. Sep 13, 2022
    1
    Sorry, but positive feedback is not available in your region. At least until your leadership changes the two-faced policy in their actions andSorry, but positive feedback is not available in your region. At least until your leadership changes the two-faced policy in their actions and statements. Expand

See all 61 User Reviews