Introduction
Basic information
- Developer Name: Vigil Games
- Full Name: Darksiders II
- Release Date: August 14, 2012
- Released on: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, later remastered as Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch
- Cross Play: Not Available
Initial thoughts
Having thoroughly enjoyed the previous installment in the Darksiders series, our expectations for Darksiders II were sky-high. With the promise of a new protagonist, an expansive world, and refined mechanics, we couldn’t wait to dive in. And after spending countless hours exploring its vast landscapes and battling its formidable foes, we can confidently say that Darksiders II exceeded our expectations, delivering an epic adventure that stands tall among its peers. We’ve even got Darksiders III ready, and it’s safe to say this series has firmly won our hearts.
Story and setting
Plot overview
Darksiders II follows the journey of Death, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, as he seeks to clear the name of his brother War, the protagonist of the first game. Set against the backdrop of a world teetering on the edge of destruction, Death embarks on a quest through various realms—each more dangerous and mysterious than the last—in a bid to restore humanity and absolve his brother’s supposed sins.
World building and immersion
The game’s world is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Vigil Games crafted an intricately detailed universe, brimming with lore, ancient mysteries, and varied environments that invite exploration. From the haunting beauty of the Kingdom of the Dead to the vibrant landscapes of the Maker’s Realm, each area is meticulously designed to immerse players in its dark, yet fantastical atmosphere. The world feels alive, with every corner hiding secrets, puzzles, and challenges that beckon the curious.
Character development
Death is a complex and compelling protagonist. Unlike his brother War, who was stoic and driven by duty, Death is portrayed as a more nuanced character—cynical, yet capable of deep loyalty and compassion. His interactions with other characters, particularly the Makers and the Lords of the Dead, reveal layers to his personality, making him one of the most memorable anti-heroes in gaming. The supporting cast is equally well-developed, each adding depth and richness to the narrative.
Emotional impact
Darksiders II successfully blends epic, world-saving stakes with personal, emotionally resonant moments. Death’s journey is not just about saving the world, but also about redemption, sacrifice, and confronting one’s past. The game’s narrative hits all the right notes, making you care deeply about the characters and their fates.
Rating for story and setting
I have visited multiple aspects of the story and after some thought and objective thinking, I rated the story and setting with a 9.
Great story for a fun franchise!
Gameplay and mechanics
Core gameplay mechanics
At its core, Darksiders II is an action-adventure game with RPG elements. The combat system is fluid and dynamic, allowing players to chain together combos, use an array of weapons, and unleash powerful abilities. The inclusion of a skill tree and loot system adds depth, giving you the freedom to customize Death’s abilities and equipment to suit their playstyle.
Difficulty and balance
The game strikes a perfect balance between challenge and accessibility. Combat is engaging and requires skill, particularly during boss battles, which are some of the highlights of the game. The puzzles and platforming segments are well-designed, offering a satisfying level of difficulty without ever feeling frustrating.
Pacing of the game
Darksiders II is expertly paced, blending exploration, combat, and story-driven moments seamlessly. The game continually introduces new mechanics and challenges, ensuring that it never feels repetitive or stale. Whether you’re solving intricate puzzles, engaging in intense combat, or uncovering the game’s rich lore, there’s always something to keep you hooked.
Innovation and uniqueness
While Darksiders II builds on the foundation laid by its predecessor, it innovates in several key areas. The introduction of RPG mechanics like skill trees and loot systems adds a new layer of depth to the gameplay. The open-world design, with interconnected regions and optional dungeons, encourages exploration and discovery, setting it apart from other action-adventure titles.
Controls and user interface
The controls are intuitive and responsive, making both combat and platforming a joy to navigate. The user interface is clean and easy to navigate, providing all the necessary information without cluttering the screen. Managing inventory, skill points, and quests is straightforward
Microtransactions
There are no microtransactions in Darksiders II, All content is accessible through gameplay, and the game rewards you for efforts with meaningful progression and rewards.
Rating
After combing through many of the mechanics, the pacing and other factors of this game, I rated the gameplay and mechanics with a 9.
Graphics and art style
Quality of graphics and art direction
The art direction in Darksiders II is outstanding. The game’s visuals are a perfect blend of dark fantasy and comic book-inspired design, creating a unique and striking aesthetic. Character models are detailed and expressive, while the environments are rich with color and atmosphere. Even though the original release is over a decade old, the game’s art style helps it stand the test of time.
Technical performances
On the technical side, Darksiders II performs admirably. The remastered Deathinitive Edition improves the visual fidelity, with enhanced textures and lighting that make the game look even better on modern hardware. Throughout our playthrough, we encountered very few technical difficulties, and the game ran smoothly, providing an immersive and polished experience.
Environment and design uniqueness
The environmental design in Darksiders II is truly exceptional. Each realm is distinct, filled with unique architecture, vibrant colors, and intricate details that make exploration rewarding. The variety in environments keeps the game visually fresh and engaging, ensuring that players are always eager to see what lies ahead.
Rating
It took me some time to give the graphics and art style an objective rating. There are many things to consider, but ultimately, I rated this section with a 9.0
Sound and music
Music score and how it contributed to the game
The soundtrack of Darksiders II is a masterpiece. The music complements perfectly the game’s dark, epic tone. From hauntingly beautiful melodies in the quieter moments to adrenaline-pumping tracks during intense battles, the score enhances every aspect of the game.
Sound effects quality
Sound effects are equally well-crafted, adding weight and impact to combat and environmental interactions. Whether it’s the clash of weapons, the roar of enemies, or the ambient sounds of the game’s diverse locations, every audio detail contributes to the immersive experience.
Voice Acting
The voice acting in Darksiders II is top-notch. It captures the character’s complexity and gravitas. The supporting cast is equally strong, with each actor bringing their character to life with nuance and emotion.
Rating
After a lot of consideration, I rated the sound and music section with a 9.
Replayability
Game Length and content volume
Darksiders II offers a lengthy and content-rich experience, with the main story taking around 25–30 hours to complete. In addition to the main quest, there are numerous side quests, dungeons, and secrets to uncover, adding significant value and longevity to the game.
Extra Content
The game includes various extra content, including challenging optional dungeons, powerful gear, and hidden collectibles. For those who want even more, the Deathinitive Edition bundles all previously released DLC, adding even more hours of content to explore.
Replay value
With its extensive content, varied gameplay, and multiple difficulty levels, Darksiders II has excellent replay value. Players may want to revisit the game to experiment with different builds, complete missed side quests, or tackle the game on higher difficulty settings. Additionally, the New Game+ mode offers a fresh challenge for those looking to continue Death’s journey with all their acquired gear and skills.
Rating
After thoughtful consideration, I decided to rate the replayability and game length of Darksiders 2 with an 8.5.
Suggestions and comparisons
Suggestions and feedback
While Darksiders II is a fantastic game, there are a few areas where it could be even better:
- More Character Development: While Death is a compelling protagonist, additional depth to some supporting characters could have enriched the narrative even further.
- Enhanced Boss Fights: While many of the boss battles are memorable, a few could benefit from more unique mechanics to set them apart from regular encounters.
Comparisons
Compared to other action-adventure titles of its time, Darksiders II stands out for its ambitious blend of genres and expansive world. It takes inspiration from games like The Legend of Zelda and Devil May Cry while carving out its own identity through its distinct art style, engaging story, and RPG elements. When compared to its predecessor, Darksiders II expands the series’ scope and depth, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Personal experiences and anecdotes
Simone absolutely loved Darksiders II. She was hooked from start to finish, exploring every corner of its vast world and completing nearly all the side content. Despite missing a few collectibles, the game’s rich story and engaging gameplay left her eager to dive into New Game+ for another round. The combination of Death’s compelling journey, the beautiful and mysterious worlds, and the satisfying combat made this one of her favorite gaming experiences.
Rating
Taking in all the personal experiences with Darksiders 2, I give it a personal rating of 9.
Last words
Pros
- Deep, engaging story with a compelling protagonist
- Expansive and beautifully designed world
- Fluid combat system with RPG customization
- Excellent music score and voice acting
- High replay value with plenty of content
Cons
- Some supporting characters could use more development
- A few boss fights could be more unique
Darksiders II is a standout entry in the action-adventure genre, offering a thrilling and immersive experience that few games can match. Its combination of epic storytelling, deep gameplay mechanics, and stunning visuals make it a must-play for any fan of the series or the genre. Vigil Games has crafted a world that is as beautiful as it is dangerous, and Death’s journey is one you won’t soon forget.
Final Rating
9
Please let me know what you think of Darksiders 2 in the comments!
I hope you enjoyed reading this review, I hope to see you in the next review!
If you liked reading this review, maybe you would like to share this review with your friends.
Alamar
Somehow this franchise didn't not appealed to me but such positive review says i should double check. Also i played before one of Devil May Cry titles and didn't like game type too much, so maybe not my genre/type of game. Thanks for review.
Delicious Bacon
I can board the train on no appeal before, but such a high rating showing me appeal.
I tried one of them many years ago, but I didn't enjoy it at all. I couldn't see what was so special about it. Seeing that it has RPG elements with different builds makes me interested, and seeing how Sven rated both the story and the sounds high makes me want to revisit the franchise. Who knows, I might just enjoy it.
supersven
I am glad you liked the review, I never played any of the Devil May cry titles.
fano23
Seems a great game, will have to try it some day
supersven
Hope you will have fun when you get to it!
Twigas_Hobbes
always wanted to try these out. Didn't have the time for it yet 🤔
Thank you for the insight
supersven
Make time for it!
emperoru
heard couple times about this game franchise but never thought it would be that good.
supersven
It is very good actually!
Vibe
Great review! hopefully will check it out at some time 🙂
supersven
Do check it out!
Vitalikboykiller
This game is uniqie sequel. I like Darksiders 2.
supersven
There is also a Darksiders 3, and a part 4 coming soon!
Myr
Like the first Darksiders game, the second is simply great. As mentioned in the review, character development is difficult for these apocalyptic horsemen, as they are super tough folks and don't offer too much depth.
supersven
Yep, they are way too stoic.
Blink
I'd like to try this game sometime, lots of puzzles, and large maps to explore freely!
supersven
Explore and find high level monsters for great gear, if you make it out alive!
FranckCastle
Hey, I recognize that game from the Screenshot of the Week! 😀
Funny Nordic Games "Easter egg". xD
Nice review!
Just curious, did you play the original on PlayStation 3, or the remaster on PS4/5? Or did you actually just play it on PC but with a DualSense controller?
supersven
Simone played this game, she played it on the PS5 through PlayStation pass.
Nicole
This looks like an amazing adventure series! They're on my list to play, especially more so now! I love that it has a good amount of story and exploration too! The skills also look really cool and detailed and the UI looks easy to understand!
supersven
Yeah, and to think this game is actually pretty old already!