By KRISTOPHER STOUGH
Nothing to lose, nothing to gain is the story behind Jackie Estacado an orphan turned Don (Italian Mob Boss) with a demonic twist. Two K games produced a FPS The Darkness II sequel to the first game The Darkness.
The Darkness is a game series based off of the comic book by Top Cow Comics. The gamer plays as Jackie Estacado, a man that is possessed by two demon snake arms “The Darkness” as they call themselves. The Darkness has been locked away for two years and wants out. After getting ambushed in a restaurant by a mysterious enemy Jackie unleashes The Darkness while being pushed close to death at the start of the game.
It is a great beginning, putting action into game play as soon as possible. Jackie is in a rush to find out who attacked him and put an end to their life.
The only downside in the story plotline is that after two years Jackie is still mourning the death of his girlfriend Jenny that died in the first game The Darkness. It’s at an unhealthy level where he sees hallucinations of her. Jenny should have been dropped in the story plot in exchange for a fresh plot line. Jackie being obsessed with her throughout the whole game is just not relevant anymore.
The combat is action packed. The gamer gets to shoot and slash enemies at the same time flowing through kills. The player has the ability to pick up objects with one of the arms and sling the object at unwanted foes. Not only does the player get to cut people in half and shoot their heads off the gamer can perform executions by grabbing the enemy and either eating the enemies heart or decapitating the heads or cutting them in half with the two snake arms.
Having The Darkness also offers a slew of interesting powers. The powers range from black holes that swallow one’s enemies into abyss to a swarm of flies that stun and hurt enemies. Also, Jackie can channel dark essence into Jackie’s guns that do extra damage and provide unlimited ammo for a little while.
The powers are unlocked by dark essence points that one earns by killing enemies or destroying lights.
The game also offers a second side story, which is wonderful to play with buddies that offer 4 player online. The side story is missions based off the main story line that Jackie is not a part of.
The lovable character,Darkling, a comical black monkey in The Darkness series remerges in The Darkness II. The Darkling acts as a minion of Jackie and The Darkness. The Darkling attacks enemies by either jumping on them and riding them like a bull with a cowboy hat in his hand or clawing their eyes out. Players also get to control the Darkling at certain times of the game, attacking enemies and helping Jackie get vengeance, which is a nice new touch.
The Darkness II replaced its realistic graphics from The Darkness with graphics similar to a comic book. This offers a nice flow with fans who are familiar with the comic books.
The sounds in the game are relevant. Jackie’s Italian mob allies talk just like one would think. Not only is the voice acting good, but also as the gamer shoots or tears someone apart with one of the two demon arms, the characters scream and their body parts tear, satisfyingly.
The replay ability is very low. After you complete the story and side story there is nothing to do unless you want to collect all the achievements.
If you like blood and gore, superpowers, dark themed atmosphere and a bit of side humor this is the game for you.
The Darkness II 4 out of 5 stars. Game worth buying, but not perfect.Players: 1 player (4 player Co-op Online)
Release Date: Feb. 7, 2012
ESRB: M, suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and nudity.
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