How the Darkness 2 defeats the Darkness

Take away the glistening sheen of gore, and it's crazy how different the Darkness 2 is to its acclaimed predecessor. Given the change of development studio, some of the changes were to be expected. I wasn't surprised by the new art style, for instance: Starbreeze used their own engine for the first game, and lack of access to this for the sequel no doubt opened up discussions for a fresh approach.

While both games impress, I think The Darkness 2 is overall slightly stronger - providing a more cohesive experience despite lacking the quirks that made the first so special. Here's a quick meditation on why. Read my Darkness 2 review for more.

The first game's photorealism wasn't just about style - it was all about creating a sense of place. Surprisingly for a game filled with supernatural elements, the strongest elements of The Darkness came from the realism. The characters you met felt as flawed as real humans, and tiny details slowly brought the game's world to life. The later hell sections were fantastically stylish, but relied too heavily on the half-baked combat - a problem that held the game back from true greatness.

While the second game lacks the same depth and freedom, what it offers instead is perfectly executed. More linear design ensures that the story never skips a beat, and despite the lack of super high-res textures, the attention to detail is impressive - creating a world that feels meaty and rich. The characters themselves are all far more clichéd, but this isn't actually a criticism, for reasons I can't divulge. Suffice to say, if the characters you met in The Darkness II felt as fleshed out as those in the first game, the main storyline wouldn't be as affecting. A point worth mulling over after you've finished the campaign...

While the sequel often lacks the subtlety of the original, it beats it hands-down when it comes to being blunt. Every gun you pick up in the game feels fantastic, and the powers at your disposal are indescribably brutal. The Darkness 2 isn't a terribly difficult game, but I see no reason why it should be. You're a whirling vortex of death, an avenging octopus of ceaseless destruction, an unstoppable, blood-thirsty force of evil. There are challenges ahead, but The Darkness II is ultimately about revelling in the capacity to kick arse.

Where the first game tugs at your heartstrings, the sequel bares its teeth and attempts to fuck with your head. This aspect of the sequel is the part that impressed me the most, and I can't go anywhere near it without dipping your ears into a vat of pure spoilers. The idea itself is far from original, but the handling is truly superb.

The sequel might be my favourite of the two, but it feels like there's something else worth applauding. Despite working with the same comic-book source material, Digital Extremes and Starbreeze have managed to approach it in hugely different, equally successful ways. 2K and Top Cow deserve kudos for letting the new kids push the boat out. If they'd been directed to simply build on the foundations of what was already there, I suspect the results would have been disappointing.