Darksiders II Reviews

We have rounded up another batch of reviews for Vigil’s sequel to Darksiders, which adds a strong action-RPG component to the gameplay formula of the series.

GameSpot, 8.5/10.

Don’t let the scattered execution snafus be of great concern: Darksiders II is remarkably well put together, particularly in light of its impressive scope. Bigger doesn’t mean better, of course, but this isn’t a “more of the same, just bigger” kind of sequel. The game uses its expansive geography to cultivate a poetic tempo in which your intellectual triumphs are rewarded with the immediate pleasures of fleet-footed platforming and demonic brutality. In Darksiders II, Death is not an end, but rather, a portal to a memorable saga of snarling brutes and stolen souls.

GameInformer, 9.00/10.

One of the most polished aspects of the game is environment traversal. Death can run along walls and leap between pillars much like the Prince of Persia. These platforming-like sequences add an element of verticality to exploration, and are used extensively to unearth hidden areas. The overworld is filled with them (including numerous bonus areas and bosses). A handy fast travel ability makes backtracking painless affair.

After finishing Darksiders, I hoped the sequel would continue with the Four Horsemen riding together in aid of War. That thought faded once Death let his scythes do the talking. Like Kratos and Dante, playing as this reaper gives you that amazing feeling of being an all-powerful ass-kicker.

Neoseeker, 9/10.

In terms of gameplay, Vigil’s decision to incorporate RPG into their hack ‘˜n’ slash action series has proven successful. The customization is positively addicting, bringing to the table some much needed depth. The loot system, Arena mode, and New Game+ all contribute to the game’s seemingly infinite replayability. Perhaps my biggest issue remains with the Crucible and the accessibility of legendary loot, particularly Death’s ultimate armor. As someone who isn’t all that into challenge modes I skipped out on them in the Arkham games I’d argue that the armor should be made accessible in the same way War’s Abyssal armor was unlocked, via collectibles.

After Darksiders, I couldn’t imagine what a second game might entail. The universe that Vigil has envisioned is absolutely brilliant and gorgeous, with an obvious originality that the industry seems to lack. Joe Madureira’s distinct visual style coupled with composer Jesper Kyd’s musical talents are impossible to overlook. As a whole, Darksiders II is a definite step forward for the series, and if this game is any indication, the next chapter in the Darksiders saga will surely blow us away.

Giant Bomb, 4/5.

The adventure has its rough spots and the technical issues are disappointing, but these are relatively small issues in the grand scheme of things. Darksiders II is an exciting and lengthy adventure with interesting characters and a host of items and features that make its mix of combat and puzzle-solving very attractive. It’s better if you also played the original game, but even if you didn’t, Darksiders II is definitely worth looking at.

Atomic Gamer, 9/10.

Even with these issues, Darksiders II is better than its predecessor in pretty much every way: it’s slick, polished, smart, beautiful, and most importantly, fun to play, giving you plenty of freedom and adventure with exciting combat and some excellent art and music to go along with the solid voice acting and interesting plot. Without the technical issues I’m finding on the PC version of Darksiders II, I would be able to heartily recommend it to all PC gamers, but for now, I can only recommend it to those that are happy with using a 360 controller to play and don’t mind having almost zero tweaking options. If you need the things that this port is missing, then hold off and hope that Vigil issues a patch.

GamerFront, 4.5/5.

I can’t say this very often, but Darksiders II is a perfect sequel. It’s come leaps and bounds over its predecessor, and it satisfies in every way. From the awe-inspiring scenery to the crazy new boss battles, there’s always something that will make your jaw drop. The in-game voice acting helps bring each character to life, and though this is a sequel both the first and second Darksiders feel more like separate chronicles that take place in the same world. I was right to wait in line that night for the first title, and even more right to anticipate this one. I’m a die-hard fan of the series and if you’ve not played it yet this game alone will turn you into one as well.

Despite some issues like the in-game menu which loads slowly between screens, the HUD that makes switching between your equipment a hassle, and a few glitches here and there, Darksiders II performs above its class.

Death is the yin to War’s yang. His attitude, approach, and mannerisms are different in every way. He’s egotistical, lazy, and sometimes overly grim. He’s determined, strong, and cunning. He’s a complete badass, and it makes this game worth having.

Finally, Kotaku comes away frustrated due to bugs, and recommends waiting until they’re fixed.

But when it does work, it’s a gloriously stupid romp that’s far more entertaining than it has any business being. By the time the player has trained a few scythe combos and special skills, combat is satisfyingly solid, and the ability to customize weapons, gear, and skill choices lets the player craft a combat experience well-suited to his or her own preferred play style. I grew to find myself actually liking Death, by the time the heavily-foreshadowed end finally came.

Ultimately, the bugs in the PS3 edition of Darksiders II are a disappointing stain on an otherwise entertaining game. It would be nice to give the game a YES, but we don’t yet know if the Xbox 360 and PC versions are clear of the bugs I encountered on the PS3. Hopefully, the game will see a patch sooner rather than later.