Before our review makes its gore filled appearance, here’s a brief look at what other sites are saying about The Darkness II.
Most reviews have been positive so far, praising the beautiful art style and the innovative use of what the game calls ‘quad-wielding.’ This feature lets players use two guns and two tentacle arms at the same time to shoot, grab, and slash enemies.
On the other side of things, reviews have mentioned the game’s short length and a somewhat lackluster co-op portion as negatives.
Here’s a more detailed listing taken from Metacritic showing the range in opinions:
90/100 EGM
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.
80/100 IGN
It may not end up being the best shooter of 2012, but it could very well be the one that makes you feel the most powerful.
80/100 Giant Bomb
Nothing in The Darkness II’s story line feels out of place or unnecessary. It doesn’t digress needlessly into side missions or other time-wasters designed to just keep you playing for longer stretches. Instead, Digital Extremes believed in the strength of both its combat system and Jenkins’ script to inspire players to play through it again once the credits roll.
74/100 GameTrailers
The Darkness still packs plenty of gut appeal, with limbs being sheared and torsos torn asunder. Alas, players cannot sustain themselves on gore alone. Ultimately, the ultra violence will whet your appetite for bloodlust, but fail to slake your thirst for a truly great game.
70/100 Gamespot
Levels are linear and predictable, focused on ushering you from one straightforward encounter to another so that you can go crazy with those deranged arms of yours. If you are a fan of the original game, bear this in mind: The Darkness II is a fun, very short FPS without the authentic atmosphere and subtle touches that made its predecessor so intriguing. Still, if you’ve got a lust for virtual blood, The Darkness II leaks enough of it to satiate you.
