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TITLE | THE DARKNESS II
PLATFORMS | PS3 | 360 | PC
GENRE | FIRST-PERSON SHOOTER
DEVELOPER | Digital Extremes
PUBLISHER | 2K Games
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RELEASE DATES | EUROPE 10/02/2012 | USA 02/07/2012 |
RATINGS | PEGI: 18+ | ESRB: M (Mature) |
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UPDATES Working hard to get this out before the game shows up + Reviews incoming!
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EDITIONS
Limited Edition:
- Custom Artwork by Marc Silvestri
- Digital Download of The Darkness Origins 1&2 comics
- Alternate Darkling outfit "Crazy Abdul"
- Gourmet Hearts character ability
- Relic Hunter ability
Regular Edition (Box Art):
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STORY
The Darkness II is the sequel to the critically acclaimed 2007 release The Darkness. Inspired by the popular comic book series produced by Top Cow Productions, Inc., The Darkness II is an intense first person shooter that puts you in the role of Jackie Estacado, don of a New York crime family and wielder of an ancient force of chaos known as The Darkness.
It's been two years since Jackie used his power to kill the men responsible for his girlfriend's murder. He's been unable to shake the memory of Jenny's death since bottling up The Darkness and now it wants out. A botched attempt on Jackie's life opens the door for The Darkness to reemerge, and sets Jackie on a brutal and personal journey as he unravels the mystery behind the attack and the motives of The Darkness.
The Darkness (First Game) http://www.2kgames.com/thedarkness/
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FEATURES
QUAD-WIELDING CHAOS
Slash, grab, and throw objects and enemies with the Demon Arms while simultaneously firing two weapons, adding a new dimension to the FPS category.
HARNESS AN UNSTOPPABLE POWER
Master the Demon Arms and summon the powers of The Darkness for even more explosive gameplay.
KILL THE LIGHTS
The vicious powers of The Darkness manifest only in the shadows so use the environment to your advantage and watch out for enemies who will use light as a weapon.
INTENSE AND PERSONAL JOURNEY
Experience a dark, twisted and gripping story written exclusively for the game by acclaimed comic book author Paul Jenkins whose credits also include The Incredible Hulk, Wolverine, and the original The Darkness game.
DISTINCTIVE GRAPHIC-NOIR STYLE
Graphic novel shading and color combined with the dramatic lighting of film noir pays tribute to the source material and brings the pages of the comic series to life. Inspired by the popular comic book series created by Top Cow.
- New Game Plus!
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CHARACTERS
Jackie Estacado (Voiced by Brian Bloom)
Jackie Estacado, the current wielder of The Darkness has used his powers to become the Don of the Franchetti crime family. He has been unable to shake the thoughts of his dead girlfriend Jenny Romano and has since, with the help of estranged occultist Johnny Powell and his study into dark essence, contained his supernatural powers, and now The Darkness "wants out in the worst way".
Johnny Powell
As a graduate student, Johnny Powell became an unparalleled expert on the world of mystical power and magic. He kept himself busy studying ancient relics that were shrouded in dark (and even fantastical) histories, and which were purportedly connected to some of the most infamous figures from antiquity. However, he ended up discovering that the mythology surrounding these artifacts was all true, and that they all pointed to the Darkness.
Victor Valente
Victor Valente is the head of a mysterious organization known as The Brotherhood, an ancient order formed hundreds of years ago for the sole purpose of destroying, and eventually controlling The Darkness once and for all.
Brotherhood
The Brotherhood is a shadowy cabal that has existed for centuries with thorough knowledge of The Darkness. For unknown reasons, they have emerged from hiding intent on seizing the power wielded by Jackie—only the latest in a long line of Darkness hosts—for their own sinister purpose, and they will use their familiarity with The Darkness to exploit its weaknesses.
Jenny Romano
Jenny was the long time girlfriend of Jackie. She will be BACK!
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MULTIPLAYER
Vendettas = a co-op multiplayer mode for The Darkness II that can be played with up to four people. The story of Vendettas runs parallel to the events of the single-player campaign, and features a cast of characters with unique abilities and histories tied to the Darkness. Can be played single player, 18 missions total.
Inugami - Inugami is a shadowy, mentally unstable assassin who wields a legendary cursed sword called Kusanagi. As a child, Inugami was forced to witness the slaughter of his entire family by members of The Brotherhood who wanted to seize this weapon, and he is now driven entirely by a thirst for revenge due to these events.
Kusanagi's curse slowly drains away the life essence of the sword's bearer if it goes too long without claiming a victim. Centuries ago, the sword was used in dark rituals that resulted in the sacrifice of ten thousand innocents, and legend says that its curse will be lifted if it claims an equal number of wicked souls.
Inugami possesses the power of Swarm. His Swarm power resembles an attack of miniature Yokai demons of all kinds.
Soshanna - Shoshanna is a highly trained agent working for the Mossad who kills efficiently and does not question the orders she is given. Her weapon of choice is the Arm of the Night, a firearm fused with Dark Essence that has been in her family for over 75 years.
She possesses the power of Gun Channeling. Interestingly, the Darkness has become entranced with technology — it knows that the newest weapons are capable of more efficient death and destruction.
Jimmy Wilson - Jimmy Wilson hails from Glasgow's inner city in Scotland, and revels in football, alcohol, and pissing off the English. This latter interest motivates Jimmy to pursue and fight The Brotherhood, who he believes are simply the English in another form due to their ancient ties to the dreaded King Edward 'Longshanks'.
Jimmy has the power to summon multiple Darklings. Jimmy thinks of them as alcohol-induced fairies of some kind, and he calls them "Little Jimmys."
JP Dumond - Once a respectable doctor, JP DuMond provided medical care to the needy in the poorest areas of New Orleans. However, limited resources and supplies compelled him turn to a form of Louisiana Voodoo to treat his patients. He found a way to draw out and trap the bad essence of an illness within dolls. However, this magic proved dangerous and started to adversely affect him, forcing him to keep the dolls in a special protective box which he named his Box of Tricks.
DuMond wields the power of Black Hole. This occurs when he tosses the Box of Tricks into an open area. The box will open, and dark magic spews forth, creating a vortex that attacks nearby enemies. It is a very nasty and bloody sight to behold. He also wields the Midnight Stick, which can be used to launch enemies into the air, where they can be easily picked off with firearms or other attacks.
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VIDEOS
Single Player Trailers
The Darkness II Release Date
The Darkness II E3 Trailer
What is the Darkness? (Spoilers for the First game!)
The Brotherhood
Launch Trailer
Multi- Player Trailers
Vendettas Co-op Trailer
Vendettas Gameplay- Inugami
Vendettas Gameplay- Shoshanna
Vendettas Gameplay- Jimmy
Vendettas Gameplay- Dumond
Gameplay Power Trailers
Powers of The Darkness: Quad Wielding
Powers of The Darkness: Swarm
Powers of The Darkness: Gun Channeling
Powers of The Darkness: Black Hole
Powers of The Darkness: Darklings
Executions: Torn Apart
Executions: Sliced
Executions: Brutalized
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SCREENSHOTS
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REVIEWS
updated as they arrive!
OXM Review - 9.0!
"+ Gameplay expertly mixes gunplay, melee carnage, and avoiding light sources.
+ Diverse range of upgrades; absorbing story with minimal distractions; addictive co-op.
– Short main campaign; minor revival woes in co-op campaign; not enough Mike Patton voiceovers.
? Why does your pet Darkling wear a cat’s hide like a hat?"
"The only real disappointment is the campaign’s fleeting six-hour duration, along with how seldom Mike Patton’s marvelously deranged growls give voice to the Darkness."
IGN - 8.0
Eurogamer - 7.0
Gametrailers - 7.4
Sixth Axis - 9.0
Gamespot - 7.0
1UP - B
G4TV - 4/5
NowGamer - 7.6
IncGamers - 7.0
CVG - 8.1
OPM UK Video Review - 9.0
OXM UK - 9.0
Gamesradar - 8.0
Destructoid - 7.5
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EXTRAS
Achievement LIST!
Talent Tree Demo Video
Better screens to be uploaded !
In Depth Developer Podcasts
Tara Long Unboxes game with Darkling Statue
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CONCEPT ART
Carnival 1
Carnival 2
Darkling Ideas
More Darkling art here.
AVATARS
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FINAL NOTE
This is MIKE PATTON.
He does the voice for The Darkness in the game, really does a fantastic job. He's been a number of bands including Faith No More/Mr. Bungle, but has done voice work for Portal, Left 4 Dead and Bionic Commando. Here is a video showcasing his brilliance from the first game (SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST GAME):
http://youtu.be/-LZOsPBN2X0
