2K Games/Digital Extremes Just when Jackie Estacado thought he
was out, The Darkness is pulling him back in. This sequel to 2007’s smash hit (based on the long-running Top Cow comic book se- ries) sees Jackie going to war with The
Brotherhood, the self-proclaimed rightful owners of The Darkness, a par- asitic supernatural entity. The big change here is that the gameplay has been overhauled by new
designer Digital Extremes, which results in much smoother controls. In ad- dition, skills customization is also more expansive, allowing players to adapt their talents to their preferred style of play, be that firearms-based combat or supernatural ass-kicking with The Darkness’ array of abilities that allow you to tear your opponents limb from limb. As well, both guns and Darkness skills can be “quad-wielded” in tandem, resulting in creative and very violent methods of enemy disposal, including decapitations, chest-bursting and “wishboning” your opponents – yes, that’s as nasty as it sounds. And now instead of having multiple homunculi-like “darklings” at your disposal, you only have one – but he’s much more efficient at taking down opponents. Also added to the roster: the multiplayer co-op “Vendettas” mode, where
one to four players can take on the roles of new Darkness wielders (free- lance enforcers working for Jackie) to bring down The Brotherhood. Whether online or off, gameplay is fast and bloody. Then there’s the visual re-do: the grimier “real-life” look of the previous
game has been replaced by illustration-style cel-shading. The graphic makeover is a perfect match for the sequel’s more bombastic tone – the occult-enhanced “black ops” Brotherhood and the storyline (written by Darkness comic scribe Paul Jenkins) have more overt pulp/paranormal overtones than the first game’s armies of mobsters and goons. It’s also in- credibly profane, with multiple expletives, sexual situations and deaths that would make the gang from Mortal Kombat a little queasy. It’s been a five-year wait, but very much worth it. Just be sure to keep this one out of the hands of the kiddies.
RON MCKENZIE RM 0000
HEADSHOTS: QUAD-WIELDING WEAPONS, NEW SKILLS TREES MISFIRES: NEW ART DIRECTION MAY NOT IMPRESS SOME FANS